Voice of Business: Policy Debate Takes Local Business Issues to the Provincial Level

Advocacy through policy is at the heart of what a chamber of commerce does.

As is tradition, chambers of commerce and boards of trade from across Ontario gathered Saturday for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM and Convention to push forward a new round of policy resolutions for the Government of Ontario.

Though the debate is one day, the whole process takes months. Chambers work with their policy teams, committees, boards, and members to lay out and prioritize local business issues that the provincial government can help address. We reach out to businesses in specific sectors, industry groups, and fellow chambers for input and support. Once drafted, the policy resolutions go through a rigorous review by our fellow chambers and the OCC’s Policy and Advocacy Committee. It all culminates in a one-day policy debate where 200 chamber and board of trade delegates present, debate, and vote on the resolutions. All approved resolutions become part of the OCC advocacy efforts at Queen’s Park and beyond for the next three years.

Often, these policy resolutions start with a business talking with its chamber about a particular barrier they are dealing with and offering some solutions that the government should consider. It’s about as grassroots as advocacy gets. This year’s compendium of resolutions covered a wide range of issues, including property tax fairness, rural transit, mining development, alcohol regulation, procurement, local detox centres, workforce needs, and broadband internet expansion.

We submitted four of the 43 resolutions up for debate and all four were approved by the membership:

• Accounting for economic outcomes in regional collaboration projects

Issue: Jobs created during collaborative regional economic development projects are only attributed to the municipality in which they are geographically located.

Recommendation:

Develop a mechanism that allows for multiple municipalities who have invested in a regionally significant project to account for jobs created proportional to financial contribution when reporting to the government.

• Diversifying healthcare to ease the burden on Emergency Rooms and family doctors

Issue: Our hospitals are in crisis, struggling to fulfill all the healthcare needs we are asking of them. At the same time, many people in Ontario are without access to a family doctor. Lack of access to healthcare is leading to greater lost time and limiting workforce mobility. While our hospital and family physician services are in need of investment, there are other healthcare professionals in our communities that are underutilized and can help fill in the gaps when it comes to primary and non-urgent healthcare needs.

Recommendations:

1. Provide more funding for Nurse Practitioner-led clinics, and fund additional Nurse Practitioner seats at Ontario's universities.

2. Expand funding for community paramedicine programs.

3. Support Community Health Centres as a means of addressing healthcare needs for those with barriers and needs that fall outside the scope of traditional healthcare systems.

4. Ensure communities have access to walk-in clinics.

5. Invest in mobile clinics to meet non-urgent healthcare needs in rural communities.

6. Make medical schools more financially accessible to students interested in entering the medical field.

7. Work with the federal government to Improve the mobility of physicians within Canada by broadening the national licensure program.

8. Continue to improve recognition of equivalent qualifications held by international medical graduates to integrate them into the Canadian medical field and meet fast-growing demand.

9. Increase admission capacity for different types of health care professionals.

10. Expand programs to offer incentives for healthcare professionals — including physicians, nurses, specialists, and technicians — to locate in rural and northern regions experiencing higher levels of healthcare workforce shortages.

11. Ensure that communities across Canada possess the digital infrastructure necessary for enhanced and integrated telehealth programs that bring physician teams and patients closer together.

• Invest in Workforce Planning Boards

Issue: 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 all 26 Workforce Planning Boards across the province of Ontario with increased funding and three-year contracts.

Recommendations:

1. Increase the funding for each Workforce Planning Board to cover the cost of LMI Help Desk Services, the Local Jobs Hub, and website maintenance and updates.

2. Increase the length of funding agreements with Workforce Planning Boards to three years.

• Tax Rebates for Home Care

Issue: Receiving healthcare at home is the preferred route for most people where feasible, saving both them and the government money, compared to staying in institutions. However, upfront capital costs are a major barrier to home care. Lack of access to a hospital bed and patient lift limits peoples’ access to home care.

Recommendations:

1. Create a one-time refundable $10,000 tax credit toward special medical equipment and renovations, including hospital beds and patient lifts, for people of all ages requiring home care services.

2. Expand funding for virtual home monitoring programs through Ontario Health Teams and other health care providers, to help seniors live safely in their homes and reduce the burden on the hospital system.

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

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Peterborough and The Kawarthas Entrepreneurs Awarded Grants and Mentorships to Help Spark New Tourism Ideas

Three finalists who made winning pitches for the second intake of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas ‘Spark’ program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

photo courtesy of peterborough and the kawarthas tourism.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, with funding support from the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.

“It's a privilege to work with these local tourism innovators. Our team looks forward to supporting the development of tourism products that give visitors new and engaging ways to explore Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” said Joe Rees, Director of Tourism with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.

Ten applications were received, with the top five being invited to present their new tourism ideas at a virtual Pitch Session held on May 2. A panel of judges comprised of local partner representatives and a tourism innovator from outside the region selected the three winning applicants.

The 2023 Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Program winners are:

• Connor McIlveen & Glyne Pease, Shamrock Acres (Rustic farm venue/event space)

• Katie Jackson, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience (Mystery agritourism and culinary experience)

• Scott Williams, Wildflower Bakery (Sourdough bread-making workshops)

“We congratulate the second-round winners of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas ‘Spark’ program and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting tourism offerings in the region” said Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead for the Tourism Innovation Lab.

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the province.

For more information, visit the website.

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Over 60 Houses Participating in East City Neighbourhood Yard and Sidewalk Sale

The East City Neighbourhood Yard and Sidewalk Sale will take place on May 13 in Peterborough’s East City.

photo courtesy of East City Ptbo.

This neighbourhood event will have over 65 houses having yard sales from Parkhill Road to Maria Street and beyond, with some Hunter Street businesses having sidewalk sales. 

The yard sale runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. A complete map will be released a week before the event of the event’s social media platforms.

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Grand Opening of New Law Firm Appears In Downtown Peterborough

Passageway Law is Peterborough’s newest law firm to open as they had their grand opening of their offices in downtown Peterborough on Monday.

Meryn Steeves, lawyer and partner (left); Laura Wilson, paralegal and Robert Hiseler, lawyer and partner launched the firm on Monday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The firm is located at 201 George St. N., Unit 301A across from Greg’s No Frills. It is a full-service law firm that covers areas such as family law, wills/estates, real estates, business law, notary services, paralegal services and more.

Passageway Law consists of a three-person team with Meryn Steeves and Rob Hiseler who are lawyers and partners. They’re joined by paralegal Laura Wilson to round out the trio.

‘Empathy’ is one of the firm’s largest values to provide clients and was a significant part of their vision when they opened the business according to Steeves.

“Keeping a focus on the client's experience is key,” she said. “Understanding that each client is an individual, they're going through a major life event whether it's a separation, buying a house or planning for after their death, it's a big deal to come into a lawyer's office.”

The firm says they understand that coming into a lawyer’s office can be intimidating or nerve-wracking. Steeves notes that the firm wants to create a welcoming environment and there is no stigma attached to visiting them.

“Most people don't do it more than a couple of times in their lifetime so we want to really focus on their experience as they come through our doors and understand the human side of it and understand that this is a major life point for them,” she explains.

The name is meant to serve as a way to modernize their firm, rather than listing the brand partners in a traditional sense according to their website. ‘Passageway’ lets clients know that the firm is a warm, welcoming and innovative place that’s happy to serve Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“It was a dream of ours to do something like this,” explained Steeves. “All of our Pinterest boards, our vision boards and see the space come together. We're so excited to have our own space, to create our firm and bring our vision to life.”

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Grand Opening of Peterborough's Artisanal Retail Store, Handmade Heaven Hits Lansdowne Place

Lansdowne Place is now the home of an artisanal retail store, Handmade Heaven as lots of shoppers were lined outside the storefront for its grand opening on Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store features goods from over 70 different local businesses — including junior makers — that make 100 per cent of the sales in exchange for paying rent to use the retail space.

Local artisans that want to rent space in the store must fill out an application online.

“I know there's a huge artist community around here. I just did a calling and all the makers, the artists and all the talent basically did the rest and had an overflow of applications,” said Sam Milne, Handmade Heaven owner.

The first 65 shoppers that arrived at the grand opening received a free gift bag. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Milne has family connections with the ‘The Nooks,’ a chain that is a similar concept to what he is doing for Peterborough with Handmade Heaven. It has seen success with 18 locations in Canada including Vaughan Mills.

The storefront is located across from Dollarama on the upper floor. Milne had announced on his Instagram that Lansdowne Place that he was setting up shop in mid-March.

“As soon as I saw this location, I knew instantly that this was going to be the store,” explained Milne. “It's absolutely perfect, I know the people of Peterborough are going to come out and support. It's been above and beyond what I expected so far.”

Roughly over 50 people were lined up outside prior to the opening. Milne says the store is a great outlet for local artisans to be recognized and supported. Artists get up-to-date notifications on when their product gets sold in the story.

“(I) really try to get people out to support their local makers and see all the beautiful things there's handmade artists have actually made,” said Milne. “Every time one of these makers sells something with their hard work involved, they (customers) have no idea how much it means to these people when they see their sales.” 

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Peterborough Barbershop, Working Human, Arcwear Apparel and PTBO Chamber

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…

Haircuts and beard trims have arrived on Sherbrooke Street with the help of Curtis Self and Paul Ferguson, owners of Peterborough Barbershop.

The new shop is located at the former Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers at 165 Sherbrooke St. in downtown Peterborough. The business partners joined forces after years of experience in the industry. Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment online at peterboroughbarbershop.ca.

Dynamic duo and Principal Consultants Kendra Mancini and Michelle Fenn have just launched their new business, Working Human, on Friday.

They provide diverse learning experiences that foster both personal and professional development. They support individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their highest potential through human-centred coaching, consulting and customized learning. Working Human believes in life-defining work, not work defining life. You can find them online at workinghuman.ca and on Instagram at @workinghumaninc.

There’s a new line of clothing for welders, by welders called Arcwear Apparel.

It’s a brand created out of a need for classic, stylish apparel for welders to show their pride in the trade. The branded apparel includes slogans like “Just Weld It” and “Weld Done.” The products include shirts, hats, and stickers. Check out their designs or order some merchandise at arcwearapparel.com.

Do you own a business, want to start a business or are looking to grow a business in the North Kawartha area?

There’s a Business Town Hall scheduled for June 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Kawartha Community Centre at 340 McFadden St. in Apsley. Interested businesses can learn more about funding opportunities and business support from TeamPTBOKawarthas, which includes the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough and Kawarthas Economic Development and Tourism, Community Futures, the Innovation Cluster and North Kawartha Economic Development. It’s an opportunity to get connected in supporting the local business community. Get more details at pkchamber.ca.

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Voice of Business: Diversifying Healthcare to Ease the Burden On Emergency Rooms and Family Doctors

Our healthcare system is in crisis.

Hospitals are struggling to fulfill all the healthcare needs we are asking of them. At the same time, many people in Ontario are without access to a family doctor. Lack of access to healthcare is leading to greater lost time and limiting workforce mobility. While our hospital and family physician services are in need of investment, there are other healthcare professionals in our communities that are underutilized and can help fill in the gaps when it comes to primary and non-urgent healthcare needs.

This is why the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is submitting the following as a policy resolution to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). It’s a document we worked closely on with fellow chambers, boards of trade, and industry associations. The OCC takes policy submissions once a year which goes to members at the annual convention later this week to be debated and voted on. If approved, they become part of the OCC’s advocacy efforts for the next three years.

Hospitals are regularly at capacity for dealing with emergencies and staffing struggles have led to regular temporary closures to new admittance.

While COVID-19 and a particularly difficult influenza season created challenges, adding further pressure is the lack of family physicians. According to the Ontario College of Family Physicians, more than three million Ontarians could be without a family doctor by 2025.

People without a family doctor are left to piece together their healthcare services with what is available to them, including attending Emergency Rooms for non-urgent healthcare needs.

Increasing the service capacity of hospitals and access to family doctors should be a priority for the government, but there are other healthcare services that can help take some of the pressure off in the near term.

Nurse Practitioners can shoulder some of the demand for family doctors by funding more Nurse Practitioner-led clinics as a primary care option, as well as funding the additional Nurse Practitioner seats at Ontario's universities.

Similarly, pharmacists have the expertise to ease some of the healthcare burdens by increasing their ability to prescribe and administer medication. Steps have recently been taken to expand this capacity, but more can be done.

Community Health Centres are able to provide physical and mental healthcare to some of our most vulnerable citizens. There are still many communities around Ontario that do not have this service, which serves individuals who live with complex mental health and/or addictions, extreme poverty, and disability. It is welcoming to newcomers, racialized individuals, Indigenous persons, and individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. The need for Community Health Centres is especially important for businesses located in historic downtowns that are dealing with the consequences and filling in some of the gaps for marginalized individuals.

Enhancing funding for Community Paramedicine Programs will assist communities with an additional safety net that will meet people’s healthcare needs without a visit to the hospital.

We need our government to work with local healthcare providers to ensure people have access to walk-in clinics. This is a vital stopgap for people unable to access a family doctor, but in need of non-emergency healthcare — yet many communities are un- or underserviced. Enhancing access to walk-in clinics is a necessary preventative measure that will ensure the treatment of various ailments that may otherwise be escalated and lead to readmittance, putting further pressure on an already strained healthcare infrastructure.

Mobile clinics offer resources to rural communities that are often without significant local healthcare services.

Employers in Ontario are facing significant challenges in attracting and retaining their workforce. Providing adequate and efficient healthcare will minimize absenteeism and create a stronger, healthier workforce.

Workers are reluctant to relocate due to the potential loss of access to a family doctor, limiting workforce mobility in Ontario.

Healthcare challenges increase in rural communities, adding more barriers to attracting skilled workers — particularly for our struggling tourism sector.

A healthy workforce will drive a healthy economy.

Our recommendations to the Government of Ontario:

1. Provide more funding for Nurse Practitioner-led clinics, and fund additional Nurse Practitioner seats at Ontario's universities

2. Expand funding for community paramedicine programs.

3. Support Community Health Centres as a means of addressing healthcare needs for those with barriers and needs that fall outside the scope of traditional healthcare systems.

4. Ensure communities have access to walk-in clinics.

5. Invest in mobile clinics to meet non-urgent healthcare needs in rural communities.

6. Make medical schools more financially accessible to students interested in entering the medical field.

7. Work with the federal government to Improve the mobility of physicians within Canada by broadening the national licensure program.

8. Continue to improve recognition of equivalent qualifications held by international medical graduates to integrate them into the Canadian medical field and meet fast-growing demand.

9. Increase admission capacity for different types of healthcare professionals,

10. Expand programs to offer incentives for healthcare professionals — including physicians, nurses, specialists, and technicians — to locate in rural and northern regions experiencing higher levels of healthcare workforce shortages.

11. Ensure that communities across Canada possess the digital infrastructure necessary for enhanced and integrated telehealth programs that bring physician teams and patients closer together.

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

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Nominations Now Open for the Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has opened the call for nominations for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards. 

photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

Nominating your favourite business is as easy as entering their name on our Express Nomination Form. The Chamber will then reach out to let them know and collect the details. Self-nominations are encouraged and are a great way to recognize your team. Express and self-nomination forms are available online.

The Business Excellence Awards were established to promote the advancement of responsible business leadership within the community. Awards will be handed out in over 20 categories including the prestigious Business Citizen of the Year Award. 

Businesses and individuals within the City and County of Peterborough are eligible, and do not need to be members of the Chamber of Commerce.

“In Peterborough and the Kawarthas, excellence is all around us,” says Sarah Budd, Chamber President & CEO.  “Every day, businesses and not-for-profits throughout the city and county are delivering exceptional service, providing incredible experiences, and finding innovative ways to grow. We encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the businesses and organizations that make our community great.”

The Early Bird nomination deadline for nominations is May 10 at 4:30 p.m. and the Final deadline for nominations is May 24 at 4:30 p.m. The nominations received before May 10 at 4:30pm will be entered into the Early Bird Draw to win a $100 gift card for the Chamber member business of your choice.

Three Finalists in each category will be announced in August, with the award recipients announced live on the big stage – October 18th at Showplace Performance Centre.

There are categories for every business size and sector:

• 4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Business Citizen of the Year

• Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Businesswoman of the Year – Entrepreneur

• Businesswoman of the Year – Organization

• Commercial Development or Renovation

• Customer First

• Employer of the Year

• Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Farm Family of the Year

• Green Initiatives

• Health & Wellness

• Hospitality

• Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year

• Local Focus

• Marketing & Promotion

• Micro Business

• Not-for-profit

• Professional Services

• Retail

• Skilled Trades

• Stuart Harrison President’s Award

• Tourism

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Brant Basics, Cavan Chiropractic, Beavertails and Excellence Awards

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…

Brant Basics is growing! Brant is working with the owners of TCB Office Furniture and Supplies to look after their Peterborough clients.

Katrina Favron from TCB has joined the Brant team. TCB closed its Peterborough store in March after 12 years of doing business locally. Family-owned since 1964, check out Brant’s 25,000 square-foot downtown Peterborough location at 296 George St N., which is home to their retail store, office furniture showroom and an incredible team of productivity experts.

Cavan Chiropractic has moved to Millbrook after 30+ years on Tapley Quarter Line.

Cavan Chiropractic offers a variety of services, including chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, orthotics, laser therapy, taping, cupping, and both large and small animal chiropractic care. Find out more about their new location or book an appointment at www.cavanchiropractic.ca.

Delicious Beavertails are coming to Peterborough!

Located at 1665 Chemong Rd., the new franchise is expected to open soon and serve their famous flat whole-wheat Canadian pastries served piping hot with your choice of 120 possible topping combinations. Beavertails have the distinction of being served to former President Barak Obama on his visit to Ottawa. The location will also serve ice cream and other iconic Canadian treats. The new Peterborough location can be found on Facebook or check out the menu at www.beavertails.com.

It’s time to celebrate excellence in our business community.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has kicked off its annual Excellence Awards with a call for nominations. Do you know any local businesses that go above and beyond? Businesses that excel in their sector and in our community? Help them get recognized for their hard work. Send it in by May 10 to be eligible for a $100 gift card for a Chamber member of your choice. All nominations are due May 24. Go to www.pkexcellence.ca for more details and to submit your Excellence nomination.

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Partnership Leads to Grand Opening of New Barbershop Off Downtown Peterborough

The newest place to get a haircut has opened up as owners Paul Ferguson and Curtis Self have opened up their new shop, Peterborough Barbershop with its grand opening on Tuesday.

Majority of the shop's decor has come from pieces in both barbers' houses or gifts from customers. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The shop is located on 165 Sherbrooke St., the former site of Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers which closed down after 36 of business due to Jones retiring.

“It's nice to be in what was Laurie's spot for the better part of 40 years,” said Ferguson. “It's kind of a full-circle type of thing. I've had family members that have gone to her for years and years so it's nice to take over those roots and continue that legacy of a good family spot here.”

The family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere of Jones’s business is what Self and Ferguson want to incorporate into their barbershop.

“We're trying to have a good welcome spot and be family-oriented,” explained Ferguson. “We wanted to bring back the values of a good family traditional barbershop.”

“We want it to be a community hub for people to come by, feel comfortable and a welcoming spot for anyone who wants to come in for a bit of a trim,” added Self. 

Self had barbered for the past eight-and-a-half years while Ferguson worked in the business for the past five. Self began as an apprentice and became a master barber. He apprenticed Ferguson as the latter is currently a senior barber, working his way towards being a master barber.

Both men say that opening the shop was the next step in advancing their careers.

“It was the logical next step,” explained Self. “It's just a progression in our carer and decided to take on the task and the responsibility of opening up a barbershop for ourselves.”

“Becoming a shop owner I think is the best way for me personally to become the best possible I can and doing it with Curtis was a shoo-in just because we work well together,” said Ferguson. “He was a mentor to me and we feel like we can grow in this space better than any other spot.”

Since the first week of the barbershop’s opening, both barbers have been seeing customers in past businesses they have worked in that have been ‘emotional at times’ according to Self.

“It tugs at your heartstrings a bit,” explained Self. “It's heartwarming and it's just gratifying seeing those faces because really at the end of the day, what it's about.”

“Being a barber is a perfect opportunity to meet with people all day long,” said Ferguson. “We wanted to be a part of the fabric of the community and being in the southern part of downtown here has been amazing.”

Peterborough Barbershop is open five days a week from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments can be booked online with walk-ins welcome.

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