Voice of Business: Systemic Barriers Are An Issue For LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC Business Owners

When you think about starting a business, you likely consider many of the same factors as every other business owner; What are your goals, where should you locate, what will you offer, who will you hire? Most importantly though, you will think, how will I fund this?

It’s a question every business owner asks when planning their business. Many entrepreneurs don’t think twice about applying for grants, loans, and other sources of business funding to get started. For those who identify as LGBTQ2+ or BIPOC, however, things aren’t quite so clear. There is a problem in our business world that is systematically creating barriers for business owners that are visual minorities or openly queer; funding is just one of these barriers.

According to a study done by the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Deloitte, 20 per cent of the members of the LGBTQ2+ community face business scaling challenges with financing as one of the top items on their list of barriers. In the same survey, 62 per cent of respondents stated that they would not disclose their LGBTQ2+ identity in official materials or to stakeholders.

For those who are BIPOC, there is even less opportunity to hide your identity and therefore even more barriers to business. Another study conducted by The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce found that 35 per cent of respondents never take advantage of funding programs presented, with eligibility (36 per cent), lack of time/resources (16 per cent), and less than 10 staff members (14 per cent) listed as the main reasons they never apply.

Combined, the LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC communities account for roughly 25% of the Canadian population. Together, they are huge contributors to our economic, social, and cultural societies. Preventing LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC businesses from opening or operating at their full potential impacts the community as a whole. These individuals offer so many talents, perspectives, and experiences that are not shared or experienced due to business barriers. When these groups suffer, we all do.

In order to address systemic discrimination, there are many things that need to occur. Two main objectives could be:

• Ensuring that start-up funding is accessible and equitable

• Providing more mentorship opportunities to LGBTQ2+ and BIPOC communities

What can small business owners do?

• Promote diversity in your workplace

  • The next time you’re hiring, consider a candidate that falls into a marginalized group. Contact organizations like The New Canadian Centre, Trent Queer Collective, Curve Lake First Nations Employment Resource Centre, or the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre to connect to candidates searching for local employment.

• Address your own (un)conscious biases

  • Take a moment to reflect internally and address any race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual identity and ability biases. Shift your perspective and look at things through their lens.

  • Practice mindfulness. Once you identify your biases, be more mindful in your decisions and thoughts.

• Provide resources

  • Don’t just say you're inclusive; provide the resources to BE inclusive. Set a workplace discrimination policy that honours all races, religions, and identities and enforce it with your team. ○ Attend diversity training. We recommend EQU for DEI training and support.

June is Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month in Canada. Now is the perfect time to unite with members of the LGBTQ2+ or BIPOC groups and declare yourself an active ally. We encourage you to take the next few weeks to learn, grow, and install a plan in your business to become more inclusive.

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Voice of Business: Untapped Staffing Resource

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Summit last month.

Organizations of all shapes and sizes came together to discuss ways they can grow and prosper in the future. Businesses in the community seem to be all facing one common problem: staffing. Businesses are finding it nearly impossible to attract and retain employees.

There may be an untapped resource that businesses may have overlooked: the New Canadians Centre (NCC).

Andy Cragg, Executive Director of the NCC, was a panellist at the Summit’s discussion on the workforce. Cragg pointed out that many new residents come to Canada willing and able to join the workforce.

On top of providing newcomers assistance to settle and integrate locally, the New Canadian Centre also offers employment support. This includes providing information about the local work environment, information on the accreditation and credential evaluation process, and a connection to other support programs and services.

“We have approximately 15 adult clients and 15 youth clients, but this number is always fluctuating as new people arrive in our community. Even if someone is not necessarily actively looking, if a good opportunity for them arises, our counsellors will still reach out to them; for newcomers especially, it can take some time to make the connections in Canada to secure work that is in line with their previous training and experience,” stated Michelle Nguyen, Peterborough Immigration Partnership (PIP) Officer of the New Canadians Centre.

Information on Labour and Immigration Statistics:

• Employers and governments are increasingly relying on immigrants to fill labour shortages as more Canadians are reaching retirement age

• Peterborough faces labour shortages in the healthcare industry, skilled trades, and business and finance sectors

• Over 1.3 million new immigrants were admitted to Canada from 2016 to 2021, more than the last five-year period

• Immigrants aged 25 to 54 account for 36.3 per cent of all core-aged employment in accommodation and food services; 37.8 per cent in transportation and warehousing, 34.1% in professional, scientific and technical services and 20.1 per cent in construction

• The Workforce Development Board predicts that, between 2019 and 2026, 22.5 per cent of all new workers are expected to come from immigration Nguyen also stated the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of training in the industries in Canada.

Nguyen also stated that the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of acquiring the training needed to work in specific industries in Canada.

“We can help clients pursue recertification or attain new certification through programs we run (CPR/First Aid, Smart Serve, Heights Training). In addition, we've been working to address language barriers for essential/ministry-mandated training with a local health & safety training provider (HRS Group Inc.). Fleming Employment has run promising programs like Pathways to Prosperity but language level is an issue for some newcomers to participate successfully. More generally, we conduct language assessments and refer people, when relevant, to language courses, depending on the client's needs,” Nguyen explained.

As well, the Federal Government has introduced the Economic Mobilities Pathway Pilot program. This program would match, “skilled refugees and other displaced people” with businesses to fill “in-demand jobs in Canada.” More information on this program can be found at this link.

If you are interested in learning more about the programs offered by the New Canadians Centre, check out their website nccpeterborough.ca.

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Voice of Business: Make Better Business Decisions With Data

There is no shortage of data in this day and age.

We live and work online, we survey and poll, our services run through digital systems — much of what we do is tracked and analysed in some shape or form. Economists often refer to data as the new oil both in terms of its global economic value and in what it means for growing businesses.

We get a number of requests at the Chamber for data on a variety of subjects and business sectors. While we can help provide some data and analysis, we also rely on our community and industry partners for raw and aggregate data.

Here are a few places to look for free, high-quality data for making decisions for your business:

Business Data Lab

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched the Business Data Lab (BDL) a year ago. It brings together data from a variety of sources to track evolving market conditions and provide Canadian businesses with critical information to help make better decisions and improve performance. The BDL provides timely reports and analysis on things like the economy, workforce mobility trends, and business conditions.

The BDL also includes the Business Conditions Terminal, which provides access to real-time data on markets that matter to your business with high-quality, high-frequency indicators.

Workforce Development Board

Looking for information on local workforce trends? The Workforce Development Board is able to access data that isn’t always available to the general public or can be expensive for an individual business to purchase. They also track local labour activity. With this data, they provide analysis and reports with valuable insights businesses can use to help grow their workforce and figure out what are competitive salaries.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED)

The website is branded Invest Peterborough and the Kawarthas for a reason — the Data and Resource hub on their website includes information on all things Peterborough, including market information, quality of life data, logistics, talent, demographics, economics, major employers, reports on various sectors and economic development opportunities, and more. PKED is in the midst of their annual Business Count, a comprehensive survey of local businesses that runs through August and provides in-depth tracking and analysis on local businesses.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The policy team at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) have put together some comprehensive reports and policy papers on various business issues. Where the Business Data Lab offers large swaths of data that can be narrowed down to specific sectors and geographics, the CCC provides data based on issues like cyber security, international trade, cannabis regulation, supply chains, Indigenous affairs, and more.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Similar to the CCC, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) provides a lot of resources, including data, relating to issues with a provincial scope, like healthcare, Ontario’s economy, transportation and supply chain, and cyber security. Their publications include some very in-depth reports, often partnered with other industry associations, on specific topics like tourism and aggregates.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce

Our website has a Resource Hub where we have compiled resources and information on topics like starting or growing a business, exporting, training, workforce, and research. Some of the information links to work from our partners and some of it will point you to services offered by our members. It’s a great place to get started and find some new places to source information.

Statistics Canada

If there’s data regarding people and businesses across Canada, there’s a good chance Statistics Canada tracks it. A lot of businesses and agencies, including the Chamber, rely on data from Statistics Canada for our research and reports. They offer raw data and non-partisan analysis.

Your own business!

When it comes to market research, no one knows your customers and their habits better than you and the technology you use to run your business. Your point-of-sale system, website, social media, customer relationship management (CRM) software, newsletter, and advertisements are all gathering valuable information on who your customers are, how and when they spend money, where they are, what they like, and what motivates them. It can also find people who have similarities to your customers, but aren’t currently spending money with you. If you’re unsure how to fully access the potential of your data, we have a Digital Service Squad member ready to connect and offer one-on-one help for free. Additionally, the Chamber has several experts within our membership and grants to cover some of the cost.

This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but is a good place to start. Chances are, there is an industry group with specific knowledge and data on your business sector. There are also a host of businesses, non-profits, charities, and government agencies with data on pretty much any issue and sector. Not sure where to look? Connect with the Chamber and we can help.

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Voice of Business: In the Spirit of Business

Unfairness in regulation and taxation is an area of particular concern to chambers of commerce.

One sector where this unfairness is particularly concerning is within alcohol production and sales. Wineries and craft breweries have come a long way in Ontario and contribute to a thriving manufacturing and agriculture industry. But in many ways, cideries and distilleries have been left behind. It’s stifling growth within the sector for businesses across Ontario.

For this reason, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce and several others to put forward a renewed policy resolution titled In the Spirit of Business. This policy resolution was approved by members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and will be part of their advocacy platform for the next three years.

Here is our resolution:

Currently, the policy regime applied to the craft brewery and winery industries is not aligned with the one applied to the craft distillery industry, resulting in challenges for the growth and sustainability of the sector as an integral part of Ontario’s economy.

Craft distilling is an industry in rapid growth. Distillers are creating jobs and boosting economies in large and small centres. The segment supports 6,000 jobs in Ontario and annually contributes $1.5 billion to Ontario’s Gross Provincial Product, while craft distillers and the spirit industry generate over $2.5 billion in annual sales.

The spirits industry works closely with local farmers, connects to the tourism and hospitality industries and contributes to the economic growth of rural areas across Ontario.

However, significant challenges still need to be addressed, i.e., tax at craft distillery tasting rooms is 61.5 per cent which is 10 times what Ontario wineries pay. Additionally, craft distilleries do not receive recognition for using ingredients produced in Ontario.

For these reasons, the craft distillery industry should be considered in policymaking.

The province of Nova Scotia continues to be a leader in the spirits industry since the government opened the door to growth in 2014 by reducing the markup by 60-80 per cent with another 10 per cent mark down if distillers use provincially grown agriculture products. The government cut the license fee from $2,000 to $500, increased production threshold, and introduced a graduated markup based on annual production. These measures allowed craft distillers to thrive. In British Columbia, since the introduction of a graduated tax system, the industry has grown from 17 to 48 distilleries in the province.

Craft spirits are considerably more laborious to produce than large-scale industrial spirits and are also marketed at higher prices. Any short-term revenue reductions from lower LCBO markups and tasting room taxes will be surpassed by the increased revenue from higher employment and consumers supporting local premium spirits that will come from a thriving craft distillery industry.

In the past few years there has been some movement towards parity with other craft alcohol industries, such as:

• Allowing craft distillers to distribute their products to bars and restaurants.

• Allowing craft distillers to open “Pop-up” retail stores via Special Occasion Permits; and

• The continuation of “The Small Cidery and Small Distillery Program” for a three-year commitment (expires in 2025).

Craft distillers believe these changes are a step in the right direction, but additional changes are required to reach parity with other craft alcohol industries in Ontario. For example, the update to “Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health” recognizes that the consumption of beverage alcohol is equivalent across different categories, therefore craft distillers believe it is possible to have all regulations regarding alcohol aligned to the same standards.

This call for change is not only coming from the chambers of commerce and boards of trade but also from Craft Spirits Ontario.

We are urging the Government of Ontario to:

1. Approve the continuation of “The Small Cidery and Small Distillery Program” until 2027 and that both industries be considered in tandem moving forward.

2. Remove the LCBO fees applied to sales from craft distilleries and craft cideries directly to licensees and by-the-glass sales.

3. Align the craft distiller's regulations with the craft beer and wine industry by applying a graduated rate to the current spirits basic tax, with a zero percent markup on the first 50,000 litres sold.

4. Lower the LCBO markup on spirits and ciders made primarily with Ontario ingredients by Ontario facilities to be equivalent to microbreweries, graduated by production method and volume.

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Voice of Business: Discretionary Spending Trending Up Despite Slowing Economy

Our economy, and inflation, are slowing — but so far, we’re on track for the ‘soft landing’ the Bank of Canada has been steering our economy toward.

In the span of less than a year, the base overnight lending rate went from 0.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent. All the while, as interest rates climbed in 2022, inflation continued at well above the levels we’ve grown accustomed to. In the latter part of 2022, inflation finally began a decline and that’s continuing into 2023. As of April, inflation had dropped to 4.3 per cent, the lowest it has been since August of 2021 and down from 5.2 per cent the month before.

Meanwhile, economic growth (measured as Gross Domestic Product) at the start of the year was 0.6 per cent but dropped to 0.1 per cent by February.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Data Labs breaks down the current economic movers and shakers:

• Output grew in 12 of 20 sectors. Both services and goods sectors were up by 0.1 per cent, while goods sectors have had a tougher time since last fall.

• Professional services (+0.6 per cent monthly growth) continue to lead the economy.

• The resilience in construction (+0.3 per cent, up for a second straight month) is impressive, given the large increase in interest rates over the past year. Perhaps pricing in Canada’s housing market has already hit bottom, given on-going supply challenges and strong demand expected from large increases in immigration in recent months.

• The public sector grew by 0.2 per cent and has grown for 13 months in a row. The federal public servant strike will be a drag on output starting in April.

• Wholesale (-1.3 per cent) and retail trade (-0.5 per cent) were weak, dragged down by auto and gas station sales.

What does this mean for local businesses?

Higher cost of living (inflation) and debt servicing (interest rate hikes) led to reduced consumer spending for many people, but is back on the upswing. According to RBC, discretionary spending jumped in April, including a 1.3% jump in restaurant spending.

While the current economic challenges have some echoes of 2008, there are some big differences — most notably the fact that people are still working. According to Statistics Canada, the number of job vacancies in Canada decreased to 855,890 in the fourth quarter of 2022, down from 987,700 in the third quarter. Less people are hiring, but we still have far more job openings than people to fill them.

The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for April paints a more positive view on our current economy as our unemployment rate continues to hover at 5 per cent, employment increased by 33,000 (0.4 per cent) in Ontario and wages are up 5.2 per cent year-over-year.

In the grand scheme of things, most Canadians who are willing and able to work are still employed and making more money than they did last year. Where many economic slowdowns result in hikes in unemployment, the decrease in hiring is only narrowing a significant gap between demand for labour and its availability.

That’s not to say our local economy won’t feel the pinch of a slowing economy. Households and businesses carrying more debt have been hit harder by the rise in interest rates. Wage numbers are an average and not everyone has experienced pay increases that keep up with the increased cost of living. And some business sectors are facing more economic hardships than others.

Considering the fact that we just came through a devastating public health crisis followed by runaway inflation not seen in a generation, which has led to governments around the world trying to slow our economy without crashing it, we are well positioned for a “soft landing.” Consumer discretionary spending is trending back up, interest rates have stabilized, and we have a strong workforce.

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Voice of Business: Investing In a DEI Strategy Makes Businesses More Competitive

A quick look around the workplace can provide a snapshot of a business investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Some businesses have been actively and strategically investing in DEI for decades while others have come on board more recently.

While there’s no question that creating workplaces that welcome and support people of various backgrounds and identities is inherently a good thing — it’s also good for business.

A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with higher racial and ethnic diversity are 35 per cent more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. Additionally, gender-diverse companies are 15 per cent more likely to outperform their peers.

Workplaces that foster an environment where people with different life experiences, different cultures, different abilities, and different identities all are empowered to contribute meaningfully will create stronger, more resilient businesses.

An article in the Harvard Business Review titled How Investing in DEI Helps Companies Become More Adaptable highlights companies that invest in DEI are more adaptable to change. Companies with the highest DEI scores were considered to be 80 per cent more able to change. In an era of constant change and volatility on a global scale, the ability to change and adapt is crucial.

Additionally, investing in DEI helps a business attract and retain talent. 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.

If a prospective employee looks around your workplace or hops on your website to see staff and board profiles and doesn’t see people they can relate to, it’s going to take more effort to convince them that your workplace is a good fit. Employers are having to recruit differently to find talent, including targeting different demographics than they might have in the past.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce recently held our annual Business Summit, which featured a well-attended workshop on DEI and a workforce panel discussion where DEI was one of the most popular topics of discussion for the business community.

An article from Insight Global highlights nine benefits of strong DEI in the workplace:

• Reach a more extensive and inclusive talent pool

• Diverse workplace teams are more likely to perform better financially

• Inclusivity fosters a sense of belonging for employees

• Higher employee retention and lower turnover

• Diverse workplaces breed innovation

• Inclusion can improve business decision-making

• Equity and inclusion can tackle workplace burnout

• Creates a competitive business advantage

• DE&I protects company culture

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce SME Institute has a brief titled DEI: What it is and why you should have a strategy which gives an overview of how to move forward with DEI goals.

A diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace won’t happen by accident. Businesses looking to take this seriously need to be intentional and create a strategy to get where they want to be. For those looking for a bit of help getting started or getting connected, the Chamber network has resources and there are many local organizations with the knowledge and tools to help.

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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.

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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.

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Voice of Business: SME Institute

As a chamber of commerce, our main objective is to help the businesses in our area thrive. We do this by offering promotion, professional development, connections within our community and assistance with issues at all four levels of government. As a local chamber, we are also able to offer our members services provided by our big sisters, the Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.

One of these services is the SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) Institute by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC).

The SME Institute promotes itself as a “one-stop shop for services and resources, we are a community of partners, mentors and peers who are committed to the collective success of SMEs.”

So, what does this mean for local businesses?

As a Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce member, you can access training, consulting, networking, SME-focused tools and resources, and tips on the SME website.

The training programs are run by the CCC partner and trusted experts, to bring relevant and up-to-date content to help your business grow.

“Learn how to recruit, retain and train talent; find and attract investors; use technology to grow your business; and boost your business performance through diversity and sustainability.”

Their consulting page has a list of “trusted experts and connections to get the support you need to help you reach your goals.” Experts from Grant Thornton LLP, M2M Business Solutions, Cat-Tec Inc., Goodman Sustainability Group and Mentor Works - A Ryan Company are included as advisors – with packages and services available for any member ready to access them.

The SME Institute also has a Marketplace page, with extra tools available to help businesses become more efficient. As an example, Canadian Government Funding Application Writing Services by Mentor Works, “a leading government funding firm dedicated to streamlining the funding and grant application process for businesses across Canada. Through Ryan ULC, an award-winning global tax services, consultancy and software provider, Mentor Works can offer a 360 Funding Experience and a grants discovery and screening platform that helps match businesses with government funding opportunities.”

The SME Institute’s Founding Sponsor, our friends at RBC, also offer some services. First, the RBC Insight Edge “helps you uncover actionable insights for your business without the need to sort through mountains of data. Using anonymized credit and debit card transactions along with demographic and location data, RBC Insight Edge offers real-time intelligence through an easy-to-use dashboard.”

The second is the RBC PayEdge. “RBC PayEdge is an innovative accounts payable platform that automates payments to suppliers by integrating with your accounting system. It enables you to easily access funds from any Canadian bank account and most credit cards to pay suppliers globally. Businesses of all sizes can save time and money using RBC PayEdge — whether they’re an existing RBC banking client or not.”

As the world changes, including the way businesses operate and how customers interact with them, all organizations can use the resources available to them to stay competitive. As your local Chamber, we can help on a local, provincial, and national level.

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

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Voice of Business: We Need to Invest in Public Transit

Investing more in public transit will help our city thrive.

Public transit is crucial for people getting to school, appointments, work, the grocery store and to visit friends and family. For some, it’s an economical option compared to car ownership. Some prioritize transit to cut down on their carbon footprint. Some simply prefer not to drive or have physical barriers to operating a car.

Before the pandemic hit, public transit was providing nearly 5 million rides per year.

One particular aspect of transit is hitting businesses particularly hard – the commute.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce recently issued a letter to Mayor Jeff Leal and members of City Council advocating for further investments in transit.

Businesses in Peterborough are struggling to access the workforce they need. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Report, Q4 2022, businesses cited labour-related challenges as three of their top 10 barriers. More than one-third of businesses across Canada report significantly struggling to retain and recruit the workers they need.

It is a complex problem and will take multiple solutions to address. One area that employers have brought to our attention is the struggle many of their staff have getting to work via public transit. Of businesses surveyed, 57% responded that improved transit service would help them access their workforce needs. The biggest concern raised was route disruptions and cancellations. If an employee does not live within walking distance of their work and does not own a car, they need reliable service. Regular, last-minute bus cancellations make it very difficult to get to work on time, if at all. Many resort to paying significantly more than a bus ticket for a ride to work, sometimes multiple times per week. The added expense, uncertainty, and frustration at wasting their time leads people to consider other employment options.

Other barriers highlighted include bus schedules not fitting with shifts, the length of time it takes to reach their destination, and transit stops not being in convenient locations.

We have employers in our community where 30% to 50% of their workforce depend on public transit to get to work. Route disruptions and cancellations are leading to turnover as employees consider both shorter commutes and working from home.

The City of Peterborough is undertaking a review of its transit service. We would like to see the needs of our local businesses and workforce considered when deciding how we invest in transit and how we plan and schedule routes. When determining what kind of service to support, we would like council to consider how it will impact and hopefully enhance people’s ability to get to work. Our workforce needs safe and accessible transit stops in residential neighbourhoods throughout the city with convenient stops in commercial and industrial employment areas

Recruitment and retention are huge struggles for many businesses right now and the issues are not expected to subside any time soon. We believe investing in more reliable transit services will improve the resilience of our local businesses.

It is clear that public transit will play a vital role in the growth of our city. Investing in a more robust transit service will help employers generate economic growth, create a stronger workforce, improve the quality of life in our community, and help us address our climate change goals.

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

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