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Huntsville & Lake of Bays COVID-19 Pandemic Information

We understand that this is an extremely difficult time for you and your business. The tourism industry here in Muskoka and across the world is going to be heavily affected, and we feel devastated over the impact this situation will have upon our local members. At this time, keeping yourself, your employees and your family safe must be your priority, but we recognize that there are very real financial issues and decisions that you are facing as well. The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce is working diligently to create strategies to assist you and your business in weathering this situation and to find alternative methods to stimulate tourism as much as possible in both the short and long term. We are actively following the latest news on the COVID-19 situation and we will update you as important new information comes to light.

MP Scott Aitchison’s Business Roundtable Meetings

MP Scott Aitchison is hosting online roundtable forums in partnership with MPP Norm Miller, Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano and Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover and in cooperation with The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce to discuss your concerns, ideas and questions regarding COVID-19 and your business in our areas.

View the Business Roundtable Meetings below:

Information & Updates

Mandatory Mask Wearing Protocols (June 8)

Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce Updates

Town/Municipality
Health
Media

Resources

The following are valuable links to sources of information that may benefit you as you make decisions for your business, staff and family going forward.

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has been given $10 billion to loan to small business during this COVID-19 crisis. Businesses that need support can go this website for more details: https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special-support.aspx?special-initiative=covid19

FedNor remains at your disposal to help you with your business projects. For assistance, please contact your project officer directly or contact by email or telephone. FedNor has also requested that businesses fill out their FedNor COVID-19 Impact Form, which will allow them to gain a better understanding of the current effects the situation is having on businesses and allow them to better respond to rapidly changing needs. Please send FedNor this form and any other concerns you might have at this address.

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) keeps a tourism focused update page on their website. They have also published the results of their first industry survey. The summary report will be used to inform decisions made by government to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on tourism.
Our Regional Tourism Operator, RTO-12/Explorers’ Edge, keeps an updated list of resources for tourism operators. As well, they encourage everyone to fill out their latest survey which can be found in their most recent update.

The YMCA Employment Services – Huntsville will be offering supports in an alternative fashion in the short term to employers and job seekers;

  • Not permitting ‘walk-in traffic’ into the centre; if an employer or job seeker requires any assistance they may email or call (705-787-0349 ext. 3000) directly for assistance.
  • Offering interview space to employers if you require it for hiring purposes; please call (705-787-0349 ext. 3000) or email to arrange for space. (on an as needed basis)
  • If you have employees who have been or will be laid off, you may provide them with the YMCA phone number so they can be supported with an EI (Employment Insurance) application.  Please see the following link for the online application or a Service Canada Representative can be reached at the following number 1-800-206-7218 if desired.

Survey

There are a couple of ways you could help us as well. In order to better serve our community, we need to have a current understanding of how this situation is affecting our businesses. We ask that all businesses in Huntsville and Lake of Bays complete the following survey. By helping us gather this information, it will arm us with data to assist you and advocate on your behalf.

VIEW THE SURVEY HERE

Business Updates

Please visit the following link provided by Huntsville Doppler for a list of which businesses still have open storefronts, along with details on local grocery stores and pharmacies: doppleronline.ca

Many local businesses in Lake of Bays have adapted their services to include online or telephone orders, takeout, curbside pickup, and/or delivery in a safe manner that respects health and safety guidelines and physical distancing. To support local business’s marketing efforts during these unprecedented times, the Township of Lake of Bays has developed an interactive “open for business” map to help the community shop local and discover the products and services currently available to them. Please view the map here: mylakeofbays.ca/lake-of-bays-open-for-business

We also encourage you to provide us with insights about your current business status. Are you closed, open or do you have modified hours? Do you have changes in service or contact information you would like to share? Send us your updates to this email address: [email protected] or call us directly at 705-789-4771 and we will share your updates to the membership.

In this time we need to work together as much as possible to enable Huntsville and Lake of Bays to weather this situation and to position ourselves as the tourism leader once we are able to re-open our businesses and services to the public. If you have questions or need help finding the appropriate resources to assist you or your business, please reach out to us at the following address: [email protected]

From all of us at the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce team we urge you to stay safe and promise to do everything in our power to assist you in this difficult time.

Chamber of Commerce members can expect the best!

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