Chamber joins national movement to help support local businesses

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
*************************
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (SSMCOC) is proud to announce that it is joining Canada United, a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC has brought together more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands, business associations and the national Chamber network to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.  

“The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the Canada United movement and help bolster businesses in and around our community. Small businesses are the backbones of our local economies and key to thriving communities,” says SSMCOC CEO Rory Ring. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in Algoma and across the province. We need to continue to support SMEs who create jobs, drive innovation, and generate wealth for communities across Ontario – they will play an integral role in helping the province bounce back.”  

Canadians are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, including celebrating and supporting local businesses during the Canada United Weekend from Aug. 28 to 30, 2020.

Canadians are also encouraged to watch the Canada United videos online at GoCanadaUnited.ca, like posts from @GoCanadaUnited on social media and use #CanadaUnited to demonstrate their support. For each of these actions until Aug. 31, 2020, RBC will contribute five cents, up to a maximum contribution amount of $2 million, to the new Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, while working with government and corporate partners to source additional contributions to the fund during the course of the campaign.

The Fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commerce capabilities.  

Small Canadian businesses across the country will be able to apply for up to $5000 in grant funding. The program intends to support small Canadian businesses of all kinds from across the country. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network. Small business owners who are interested in the program can visit GoCanadaUnited.ca to learn more about grant application details, including eligibility criteria, and to apply.  

“We are excited to welcome the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce to Canada United to help local businesses and Canada’s economy come back strong,” said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. “Canada United was created to kick-start an economic rebound by rallying consumers to give local businesses the support they need to re-open during these uncertain times. By bringing together government, business associations and corporate Canada, we are looking to start a movement to get Canadians to buy local and support businesses across the country. We are genuinely excited by the energy all of our partners are bringing to this effort.”  

“If there has been one silver lining in all the tragedy and sacrifices of the current crisis, it has been the spirit of collaboration and unity of purpose that has been evident between levels of government, across provinces and across sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “We are calling on that same unity of purpose with Canada United. Small, local businesses are the heart of our communities, our Main Streets and our economy. Together, it is time to show local some love.”  

Applications for the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be accepted starting on Aug. 31, 2020. The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce has created a landing page on its website (www.ssmcoc.com/CanadaUnited) where local businesses can access more information along with the application when it opens.

*************************