Voice of Business: Pharmacies Treating Common Ailments

Pharmacists can now help treat some common ailments, saving you a trip to your doctor’s office. The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce helped make this happen.

The province announced a new healthcare initiative, expanding the role pharmacists play in patient care. The growing portfolio of pharmacists is something the Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying toward for some time.

In 2008, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber developed a Policy Resolution titled “Addressing Access Bottlenecks to Primary Health Care.” While the document suggested several strategies, the first outcome was the Provincial Government approving Pharmacists to administer flu shots in 2012. Now, Ontario pharmacists can renew prescriptions for most medications and offer prescriptions for common illnesses and conditions.

Last month, they began prescribing the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.

Pharmacists can now offer prescriptions for:

• hay fever (allergic rhinitis)

• oral thrush (candidal stomatitis)

• pink eye (conjunctivitis; bacterial, allergic and viral)

• dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)

• menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

• acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD))

• hemorrhoids

• cold sores (herpes labialis)

• impetigo

• insect bites and hives

• tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease)

• sprains and strains (musculoskeletal)

• urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A recent study from the University of Waterloo stated, “more than one-third (34.8%) of avoidable visits could potentially be managed by a pharmacist.”

The Peterborough Examiner reported in 2021 that 11,000 people in Peterborough were without a family doctor and an additional 22 doctors were expected to retire over the next few years.

This expanded role could cut down on clinic and emergency room visits. With an alternative healthcare option for those in need with smaller ailments, this could cause offer some relief to the medical industry.

However, because of the time needed to deliver this service, some of the smaller independent pharmacies in Ontario with limited staff might find this challenging. Patient assessments take time and are not something all locations are equipped to deal with. With growing responsibilities and a worldwide drug shortage on the tail end of the pandemic, many pharmacists have reported staff shortages and burnout. To address this, each location can decide on how they will implement this service. Either a delayed start or on an ailment-by-ailment basis.

This service is free for Ontarians with a health card.

For the full news release from the Premier’s office, visit https://bit.ly/ONrelease

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Artful Apricot, Vik's Bistro, PTBO CPR, JA and Dietrich Homes

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

April Allen recently rebranded her online business as The Artful Apricot.

April sells embroidered art, right in the hoop, embroidered clothing, beach glass art and jewellery and she can spiff up pretty much any piece of clothing you own. Everything is handmade by April so she can custom-make something for you and everything is done right here in Peterborough! The Artful Apricot rebrand triggered not only a new name but a logo, and website, which you can check out at artfulapricot.square.site or you’ll find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Vik Sharma knows a good opportunity when he sees one, and recently opened Vik’s Lake and George Bistro.

Located at the corner of Lake and George in Downtown Peterborough, Vik is open seven days a week from 7.30 in the morning until 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the weekends. The menu includes traditional breakfasts as well as omelets and sandwiches, burgers, wraps, perogies and bowls, flatbread pizza, some spicy specialties, soups, salads and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Check it out at 25 George St. N. at Lake St. or online at viks.ca.

PTBO CPR is a new business recently started by Katie, a local nurse with 10 years’of experience in acute and critical care.

Katie is a certified and experienced Heart & Stroke CPR Instructor, combining her skill and background to teach her clients how to recognize a cardiac arrest and respond confidently to increase chances of survival. Katie offers basic life support certification and recertification and will be adding Heartsaver certification and recertification soon.

Junior Achievement will be announcing the 2023 inductees into their Business Hall of Fame this week.

You can join in on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. for the eighth annual announcement⁠ in the lobby of the Venture North building at 270 George St., at King, in Peterborough.

Congratulations to Dietrich Homes on being nominated for the Canadian Home Builders' Association's 2023 National Awards for Housing Excellence, for Best Detached Production Home and Best Virtual Tour Experience.

Good luck at the Awards ceremony, Feb. 16 in Banff, Alb.

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Local Office Supply Business Brant Basics Expands With New Furniture Showroom Space

The new showroom floor is open for Brant Basics as they had a ribbon-cutting ceremony of their new furniture showroom during an open house on Thursday.

(from left to right) Susan Sharp, Brant Basics Co-Owner, Marketing & New Business; Sarah Budd, Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Jeff Leal, Terry Guiel, CHamber of Commerce; MOrris Cox and David Cox, Brant Basics Co-owner during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new showroom space located on the upper floor of the building. Photo by Brad Wood.

It showcases a range of furniture, office appliances, employee work space and more. The open house was originally scheduled for Dec. 15 but was postponed due to weather concerns.

Brant Basics celebrated its 58th year in business last year. The showroom was a way to help employees be excited about working in the office building again after working from home for several months from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We could really show employers to invest in their spaces to make them attractive and make them more attractive for when the employees do return to their workspace,” said Jeff Cox, Brant Basics president and co-owner.

Cox mentioned that lots of new technology for workspaces, offices and at home wanted to be a focal point of the showroom and its look had to replicate the modern products they wanted to sell.

“It was due for a facelift,” he said. “We wanted to showcase more Canadian product, made in Ontario. We wanted to have more space to focus on that and show a lot of the newer products that have some out now to help out with collaboration in the workspace.”

Brant Basics has operated since 1964 and is a second-generation store. It employs roughly 20 people at their downtown Peterborough location on 296 George St.

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Voice of Business: Increased Investment Needed In Critical Mineral Production

Demand for critical minerals is expected to increase by 400 per cent to 600 per cent by 2040, according to the report titled Enhancing Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains commissioned by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Critical Minerals Council.

Critical minerals — like aluminum, lithium, and nickel — will underpin our push for net zero emissions. They are an essential part of building electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, and many everyday products.

Canada is positioned as a leader in mining both in terms of innovation and access to resources. As demand is set to dramatically increase, the report prompts that Canada needs to act quickly and decisively to address barriers standing in the way of capitalizing on this opportunity. Our county has the potential to increase mining, production and processing of minerals to meet global demand.

The CCC’s Critical Minerals Council is made up of members representing upstream and downstream corporations, academic institutions, and Indigenous associations.

The report notes the foundation for any growth in critical mineral supply chains in Canada is a commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, which includes meaningful and early engagement with Indigenous governments and organizations from project conception to development and oversight.

The report contains 14 recommendations, which include:

• Incentivize consumers to recycle end-of-life products with critical mineral content

• Increase the scale and awareness of exploration grants

• Accelerate clean energy projects

• Provide targeted infrastructure investment

• • Support focused research and development

Read the full list of recommendations in the report: Enhancing Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains.

There are valid criticisms of the mining industry, including its impact on climate change. However, demand is increasing. As a nation, we need to work with Indigenous and climate stakeholders to be leaders in environmentally and socially responsible mining practices.

Producing critical minerals domestically allows the industry to provide products for global demand under the environmental, labour, and economic scrutiny we set up, rather than relying on producers like China.

Increasing our recycling capacity and opportunities will play a big role in moving forward, but our move to net-zero emissions and global demand for electronics will require a significant amount of mining.

According to the report, electric vehicles require a far greater quantity and breadth of critical minerals than conventional fossil fuel-burning vehicles. According to the International Energy Authority, it takes about 200 kg of critical minerals to produce a typical electric vehicle. These include lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earth elements, copper, and manganese. China currently dominates the lithium-ion battery market, producing about 75 per cent of global anode and cathode production.

Alternative energy productions also require large amounts of critical minerals. Solar panels require a large array to produce absorbent and conduction layers and module frames. Wind turbines require large amounts of copper, rare earth elements, and aluminum for cables, electrical components, coils and permanent magnets.

Our government recently introduced the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which largely aligns with the report from the CCC. The future of our plans to aggressively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and meet the targets we have set relies on our government working with industry to responsibly and sustainably increase our mining and improve our critical mineral supply chain to become global leaders in this sector.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Nominate a Local Business to ‘Beat the Blue Monday’ with Showplace

The Showplace Performance Centre presents Beat the Blue Monday, bringing free music performances to brighten workplaces across Peterborough on Jan. 16.

Photo courtesy of Mary Zita Payne.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the year, various local businesses throughout central Peterborough will have the opportunity to beat the Monday blues with various local talents.

“The third Monday in January is said to be ‘the most depressing day of the year,’ says Showplace in a press release. “The sub-zero temperatures, the lack of daylight, the arrival of our post-Christmas credit card bill. Don’t worry, Showplace is here to help!”

Photo courtesy of Showplace Performance Centre.

Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne and The Weber Brothers will be visiting nominated businesses on their lunch break to spread some light and cheer in the community through the sharing of art.

To nominate a local business, reach out to Showplace via email and tell them which business could use some cheering up. Remember to include the business name and address.

Visit the Showplace website for more information on Beat the Blue Monday and other event listings.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Mediation PTBO Inc, Phillip Jolicoeur, Stonehouse Hall and Anniversaries

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Samantha Adams-Carl recently launched her own mediation business in December. Mediation PTBO Inc (MPI) is located in the Unicity building, 420 George St., Suite 204, in downtown Peterborough.

Samantha offers mediations in civil, contract, estates, uncontested divorces/separations, parenting plans, workplace and landlord/tenant. She uses evaluative techniques so that the parties make informed decisions that will last. MPI offers financial assistance to those who qualify.

Phillip Jolicoeur - Entertainment (PJE) is a new subsidiary company of Phillip Jolicoeur - The Marketing Guy.

Phillip Jolicoeur has been working with professional comedians and musicians for 18 years, producing hundreds of shows for non-profits, entertainment venues and special events. Phil can handle the arrangements for professional comedians, musicians or DJs for everything from special events to, bars and nightclubs to corporate events, even a good house party. You also get a professional design of promotional materials, sound and lighting set-up, and assistance in selling tickets. Pjthemarketingguy on Facebook or call 289-251-PHIL (7445)

With lots of postponed weddings finally happening this year, the Wedding Day Wishes Bridal Show is coming up at the end of the month.

Sponsored by and located at the Stonehouse Hall, 2195 Lansdowne St. W. at the Peterborough Curling Club, you’ll find about 30 vendors ready to bring you a myriad of ideas, answer your questions and help you with all aspects of your wedding day. Scheduled for Sunday, January 29th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., there are still a couple of vendor booth spaces left.

There are some very special anniversaries in the area.

Kelly’s Propane started out as Peterborough Fuel and Transfer, delivering coal and wood! 100 years later they are still keeping Peterborough homes warm and cozy. Bell’s Garage is also marking 100 years. A true family business, Byron and Kim Bell look forward to passing the pumps on to their children, Robbie and Rachele, who both work at their landmark Bridgenorth business. And, while the building they are in is 123 years old, The Market Hall is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a special concert on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Entertainers include Greg Keelor, Matt Mays, Terra Lightfoot, Melissa Payne, Brooks and Bowskill and more. Tickets are at markethall.org

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New Restaurant Vik’s Lake and George Bistro Opens in Peterborough

A new bistro opens its doors Friday in downtown Peterborough, serving up soup, sandwiches and other hardy dishes just across from Del Crary Park.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Vik’s Lake and George Bistro is owner Vik Sharma’s passion project.

“I had goals of opening my own restaurant,” he says. “Even though I am still learning, I am trying new things everyday.”

After living in British Columbia for ten years, Sharma moved to Peterborough in September with goals of running a business centred around the customers in the community.

The restaurants motto, “We serve with passion” are some of Sharma’s words to live by when running his bistro.

“People love good service. Of course the food is important but they dine-in expecting a level of (hospitality),” says Sharma. “You don’t get another chance to make a first impression.”

He says the new business has been busy with Skip The Dishes and DoorDash orders, even garnering returning customers before the official opening this Friday.

“Social media, word-of-mouth, anything to get that brings people in,” he laughs.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Sharma makes the beef burger patties in house, with his golden-brown hashbrowns cooked made-to-order and his signature green tea available for the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowds. The restaurant also offers Halal options depending on availability.

Although Vik’s Bistro is still finalizing their menu, the $7.99 ($6.99 for seniors) basic breakfast special has already been a hit in the community.

“If I hear (comments) from the customers, I always listen to them. It’s all about taking care of them, and listening to learn what they want in the future,” said Sharma.

With entrée options such as eggs benedict, poutine and various pasta dishes, Sharma says the menu is sure to feature something for everyone.

To those looking to try out the new restaurant, they are open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Sunday at 25 George St. N.

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Voice of Business: Investing in Workforce Resources

The single biggest hurdle for many businesses is rebuilding their workforce, especially in service sectors like tourism, retail, food service and hospitality.

Rebuilding our local economy will take years and a series of calculated investments from the private sector. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Report, Q3 2022, 39 per cent of respondents identified recruiting skilled employees as an obstacle to business over the next three months, 37 per cent listed a shortage of labour force and 31 per cent identified retaining skilled employees.

Access to thorough, accurate and no-cost labour information and expertise will help businesses adapt, influencing our economic growth.

Our local Workforce Planning Boards are an indispensable partner in rebuilding our workforce. Locally, the Workforce Development Board has been providing workforce resources for 26 years. They bring direct experience in identifying and addressing labour market and workforce development trends, opportunities and priorities within their catchment areas. Local businesses regularly use resources like the Local Jobs Hub and Labour Market Information Help Desk. The annual Local Labour Market Planning Report provides crucial summaries of key data and qualitative feedback gathered through consultation and collaboration with industry, businesses, training and employment service providers.

Right now, businesses are looking for data and expert advice on providing competitive compensation, investing in career ladders to retain staff, and labour market information regarding planned growth — all of which is available for free from the Workforce Development Board.

Our local Workforce Development Board is one of a number of Workforce Planning Boards across Ontario — all of which are facing the same challenges. In order to provide local labour market information, service coordination and public education, Workforce Planning Boards need more sustainable funding. Operating on one-year contracts on budgets that have decreased over the years has made it difficult to recruit and retain talent to provide these services.

Together with Chambers of Commerce and other business-focused organizations, we issued a letter of support to Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development requesting:

• An increase in funding for each Workforce Planning Board by a minimum of $120,000 per fiscal year

• An increase in the length of funding agreements with Workforce Planning Boards to three years

Additionally, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce will be submitting a policy resolution on this subject to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to potentially become part of their advocacy efforts.

Workforce challenges are one of the biggest barriers to economic growth in Ontario. It is essential that businesses, non-profits and charities have access to as many workforce resources and tools as possible. After years of funding cuts and precarious one-year funding agreements, now is the time to re-invest in our Workforce Planning Boards with increased funding and three-year contracts.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Agave By Imperial, Loaded Pierogi, The Pizza Factory and EDH Law

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

As we kick off a new year of Business Beat columns, Stu Harrison wanted to circle back to two new restaurants that opened recently.

Agave by Imperial opened at the beginning of December at 376 George Street in Downtown Peterborough.

The extensive menu features three full pages of traditional Mexican dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options, prepared in innovative ways, as well as a full-service bar, of course serving margaritas, tequilas, cocktails and more. Owners Jim Grover and Manish Choudhry also own the Imperial Tandoor on Lansdowne Street.

Loaded Pierogi opened in November at 1135 Lansdowne St. in the Parkway Plaza. The franchise restaurant offers a stunning variety of Pierogi’s, from BBQ Brisket to the Hardcore Herbivore, as well as mac and cheese and poutine. They also offer catering. Watch for a second location in East City sometime this year.

Speaking of restaurants, how about a tip of the hat to Peter and Anna Bouzinelos from the Pizza Factory, who recently announced that they will be closing after 42 years in business.

Talk about a landmark and a legacy… Congratulations to everyone in the Pizza Factory family.

Walker Law is under new ownership. Nathan Higgins of the firm Evans de Vries Higgins (EDH Law) has taken over Doug Walkers practice, with Doug to remain as counsel to EDH Law until sometime this year.

Serving the Peterborough area since 1974, Doug has clocked nearly 50 years and three generations of providing legal services to clients and friends! Over those years Walker Law also assumed the practices of James Fitzpatrick and Gordon Usher. The highly experienced Walker Law staff, including Partner Jenivieve de Vries and Lawyer Carly Ladouceur, will continue with EDH Law at their long-standing location at 243 Hunter St.W.

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Voice of Business: Supporting Economic Growth In Uncertain Times

Heading into a new year with new challenges, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on this last year and see where we can go from here.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released its own report on this topic, titled Supporting Economic Growth in Uncertain Times.

What have we learned?

A predictable and stable policy environment underpins business confidence, prosperity and economic growth. This includes economic strategy that raises up those sectors and regions that didn’t fair so well.

We’ve learned that we need a more resilient workforce that is inclusive of everyone and all abilities. This includes addressing backlogs and processing delays in immigration that have resulted in a wait list of more than 2.4 million applications.

Recent years highlighted decades of underinvestment in strategically important areas, including healthcare and infrastructure.

What can the government do now?

Government is the architect of the ‘industrial commons,’ that ecosystem of public goods in which citizens, communities, and businesses can thrive. We need a long-term strategy to invest in common components that are key determinants of growth, including health care, education and training, R&D and innovation, and infrastructure (particularly digital and climate-resilient infrastructure).

At the same time, the government must protect its investments by reducing the barriers to growth – outdated legislation, policy and regulation, an inefficient and overly complex tax system, and obstacles to interprovincial trade and labour mobility.

Economic growth should involve clear consultation and two-way communication between government and the private sector. It should not be up to industry to push the government into the future rather, both should be equally invested and united in the pursuit of growth and prosperity.

Mainly, the government needs to act in ways that are predictable, accountable, strategic, measurable, outcomes-focused and coordinated.

The OCC has identified critical areas that must inform the government’s strategy for economic growth, including:

• Develop policies that support small businesses and Ontario’s entrepreneurial spirit, including enhancing access to capital, developing and scaling training for digital literacy skills, and investing in reliable broadband connectivity.

• Be bold on interprovincial trade and enhance labour mobility between provinces.

• Modernize regulation that supports recovery efforts, including creating an independent panel to regularly run an evidence-based evaluation of outcomes and unintended consequences of a new regulation.

• Foster an inclusive workforce that leverages Ontario’s diversity and increases our immigration intake. Our government must prioritize economic reconciliation by supporting Indigenous partnerships, procurement, education, employment and entrepreneurship.

• Invest in growth-enabling infrastructure, from roads to housing, that is climate resilient, energy efficient, and informed by smart planning principles to ensure population and economic growth can be supported for decades to come.

• Prioritize innovation through procurement and policy action on technology transfer and adoption, commercialization, and capitalization. The government should encourage data-driven innovation while protecting against potential risks and support a Canadian intellectual property strategy.

If nothing else, we’ve learned a lot in recent years. Next year is going to bring some challenges, but it’s largely rooted in the challenges businesses are currently facing. What we need our governments to do is use that knowledge to create a thorough, sustainable plan that supports our private sector in growing our economy and investing in our communities.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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