Wingham Business Improvement Area

The Wingham Business Improvement Area (BIA) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday evening, Feb. 17. The meeting was held virtually due to Covid protocols currently in place. A small group responded to the invitation were were given the following updates:

Chairperson’s Report of 2021 BIA Activities

Chair Dave Tiffin gave a summary of 2021 to the attendees. 2021 was another up and down year for Wingham businesses due to lockdowns. We did see the return of the Santa Claus parade, which the BIA covers insurance for.  Thanks to the Lions Club for organizing. The Festival of Lanterns continued for the 8^th consecutive year.  Mark McDougall and Lisa Hearnden continue to lead this event. Work is almost complete on the LED sign at the south end of town.  Hydro was run in the summer.  Delivery delays slowed installation, but everything is in order with expected completion by end of the month. The installation was passed at the 2020 AGM and we anticipate this being a significant help in making the public aware of events to draw people to the community. A list of allowed postings has been drafted.  This will be subject to periodic Board review. The BIA also wrote to North Huron Council and spoke at Council in support of converting the train station to a museum. We’re pleased to see this passed as we expect it to be a tourist draw to the area bringing people to our business community. Fundraising committee has been created.

Financials:

Treasurer Doug Kuyvenhoven presented the 2021 financials. There were no questions from the attendees. The 2022 budget was presented for approval. The BIA is expecting a return of spending support for the July 1st fireworks, and the Santa Claus parade. The Board will be looking into new streetlight banners highlighting Wingham’s strong musical history. The budget was passed unanimously.

2022 Goals:

We are hoping for and expecting the lifting of Covid restrictions.  Also hope to see the return of the July 1 fireworks, which the BIA sponsors and expect to be able to have the Christmas light in Cruickshank return as a community event in mid-November. Retail promotions similar to other years will be held, but we’re open to modifications. A tourist map project is in development.  This will provide visitors with overall view of the area, with sponsoring businesses highlighted.  Hoping to work with Blyth BIA, North Huron Ec Dev and Advance Times on this. We plan to work with theatre to bring live shows to Wingham.  We’ve seen that good performers will come to Wingham and we need to build on that to draw people to town and our business community. The BIA is looking into the next major project.  With the success of the snowflake lights and now the LED sign we’re considering new banners for streetlight. Although not a goal, the BIA Chair is part of the Vance Trust committee which will see initial disbursements in 2022.

The Board is only a small group of volunteers.  As such constructive input, and assistance, from the membership is always welcome.

Election of Board Members:

The BIA Board can consist of 4-8 business owners/employees, 2 of which can be Associate members. The Board had room for up to 3 new Board members. At the meeting Carolyn Young of Libro Credit Union and Ashley VanderVelden of Naturally Bongins were nominated and allowed their names to stand. With less than 4 nominees no election was necessary. The 2 nominees will need approval by North Huron Council, which is fully expected.

BIA Award Announcements

New Businesses: 

Teenie Tiny Tots
Sunnyside Grill
Castings Public House
Maitland Auctions
Mikaylo Home Furnighings & Decor

• Civic Improvement: Murray Simpson – Castings Public House

• Special Award – Green’s Meat Market.  This is hopefully a one time award.  Recognizing Green’s Meat Market for their resilience and determination to rebuild and reopen within a year of a devasting fire.  Congratulations to the Green family on all the hard work to accomplish this.

• Lifetime Achievement – Lisa Hearnden
  • Lisa is an original Board member.  Over the years she has been incredibly valuable to the BIA.  Lisa, along with Mark McDougall have co-ordinated the Festival of Lanterns and she was the driving force behind the production and installation of the Christmas gnome theme along Josephine St.  She’s participated in many Curb Appeal projects, has always been willing to volunteer her time and will be missed. Thank you Lisa

If anyone has questions related to the BIA feel free to email chair@winghambia.ca

Among changes: Restaurants, gyms, theatres and others to open at 50% capacity Jan. 31 The provincial government announced this morning that a number of businesses will move to or stay at 50% capacity, effective Jan. 31.The Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron want to do its part to flatten the curve. We distribute rapid antigen screening kits. We promote Shop Local. We distribute information throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet we also join the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in a call for clarity and transparency in a long-term plan for reopening our province. The blunt instrument of lockdowns and limited capacity is exhausting for our members and simply not sustainable.We continue to push for a plan.Below, you will find the government’s press release, issued today.Be well,HHeather BoaOperations ManagerHuron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huroninfo@huronchamber.ca519.440.0176 Ontario Outlines Steps to Cautiously and Gradually Ease Public Health Measures Time-limited Measures to Blunt Spread of Omicron Protecting Hospital and Health Care CapacityJanuary 20, 2022Premier’s Office TORONTO — With key public health and health care indicators starting to show signs of improvement, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, today released details of steps to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures, starting on January 31, 2022.“The evidence tells us that the measures we put in place to blunt transmission of Omicron are working,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We can be confident that the worst is behind us and that we are now in a position to cautiously and gradually ease public health measures. While February will continue to present its own challenges, given current trends these are challenges we are confident we can manage.”As a result of the additional public health measures enacted on January 5, 2022, the province is beginning to see signs of stabilization in key public health and health system indicators. Per cent positivity has fallen and new admissions to hospital have started to stabilize with length of stay shortening considerably. Over the coming days and weeks, these trends are expected to continue, allowing the province to begin cautiously easing public health measures.In the absence of concerning trends in public health and health care indicators, Ontario will follow a cautious and phased approach to lifting public health measures, with 21 days between each step.January 31, 2022Effective January 31, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario will begin the process of gradually easing restrictions, while maintaining protective measures, including but not limited to:Increasing social gathering limits to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.Increasing or maintaining capacity limits at 50 per cent in indoor public settings, including but not limited to:Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities;Retailers (including grocery stores and pharmacies)Shopping malls;Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms;Cinemas;Meeting and event spaces;Recreational amenities and amusement parks, including water parks;Museums, galleries, aquariums, zoos and similar attractions; andCasinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishmentsReligious services, rites, or ceremonies.Allowing spectator areas of facilities such as sporting events, concert venues and theatres to operate at 50 per cent seated capacity or 500 people, whichever is less.Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.February 21, 2022Effective February 21, 2022, Ontario will lift public health measures, including:Increasing social gathering limits to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.Removing capacity limits in indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to restaurants, indoor sports and recreational facilities, cinemas, as well as other settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.Permitting spectator capacity at sporting events, concert venues, and theatres at 50 per cent capacity.Limiting capacity in most remaining indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is not required to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance.Indoor religious services, rites or ceremonies limited to the number that can maintain two metres of physical distance, with no limit if proof of vaccination is required.Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, wedding receptions in meeting or event spaces where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs.Enhanced proof of vaccination, and other requirements would continue to apply in existing settings.March 14, 2022Effective March 14, 2022, Ontario will take additional steps to ease public health measures, including:Lifting capacity limits in all indoor public settings. Proof of vaccination will be maintained in existing settings in addition to other regular measures.Lifting remaining capacity limits on religious services, rites, or ceremonies.Increase social gathering limits to 50 people indoors with no limits for outdoor gatherings.To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, local and regional responses by public health units may be deployed based on local context and conditions.“Thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians we are starting to see glimmers of hope. However we know the coming weeks will continue to pose challenges, especially for our hospital partners,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue to chart our path forward, we will continue to take a gradual and cautious approach to lifting public health measures to protect our hospital capacity and ensure patients can continue to access the care they need.”“Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians going out to get their booster dose and adhering to current public health and workplace safety measures, we are in a position where we can begin planning to gradually and cautiously ease restrictions,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “The months ahead will require continued vigilance, as we don’t want to cause any further disruption to people’s everyday lives. We must continue to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in our communities by following the measures in place and by vaccinating those who have not yet received their doses.”To support businesses required to close or reduce capacity due to the public health measures put in place to blunt the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has launched the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program. Through the new program, the government will provide eligible businesses with a rebate payment of up to 100 per cent for property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these restrictions. Applications for the program opened on January 18, 2022. Learn more about the program and apply here.The government is also introducing a new COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant that will give businesses subject to closure under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen a $10,000 grant. The money will flow to eligible businesses in February. In addition, the government is also improving cash flows for Ontario businesses by making up to $7.5 billion available through a six-month interest- and penalty-free period for Ontario businesses to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. This penalty and interest-free period started on January 1, 2022. This supports businesses now and provides the flexibility they will need for long-term planning. Quick FactsFull details, including all public health and workplace safety measures will be shared as Ontario progresses through its reopening plan.Since Ontario entered modified Step Two, over 150,000 Ontarians have received a first dose and more than 725,000 Ontarians have received their booster. Ontario is leading the country in getting boosters into arms and we have administered nearly 50 per cent of all third doses in Canada.Effective January 4, 2022, the use of the enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app has been required where proof of vaccination is required. Download by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof/, or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have your vaccine certificate mailed.On January 17, 2022, Health Canada approved the antiviral Paxlovid. Ontario is expected to receive approximately 10,000 courses of treatment from the federal government in January, with eligibility to be focused on adults with the highest risk of severe outcomes.In response to the highly-transmissible Omicron variant, Ontario updated its COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines. Learn more about what to do if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Additional ResourcesOntario Temporarily Moving to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to ReopenOntario Updating Public Health Measures and Guidance in Response to OmicronOntario Taking Action to Protect Against Omicron VariantAll Ontarians 18+ Eligible for COVID-19 Booster Appointments at Three-Month IntervalFor public inquiries, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).For resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to COVID-19, visit Ontario’s COVID-19 communication resources webpage.Businesses that have questions about public health and workplace safety measures can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.    Huron Chamber of Commerce | Website‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Huron Chamber of Commerce Goderich Central, North Huron | PO Box 144, Goderich, Ontario N7A 3Y5 CanadaUnsubscribe chair@winghambia.caUpdate Profile | Constant Contact Data NoticeSent by info@huronchamber.ca powered byTry email marketing for free today!

The 2021 Christmas retail promotion is now over, and we have 5 winners of $250 in BIA Community Cash coupons each. These coupons can be spent at most Wingham businesses like cash. Business owners then redeem the coupons at Libro Credit Union for the full face value. It’s a win win for the customer and the local business owner.

The 5 winners were Leisa Abers, Val Weber, Deryl Price, Sheena Haines and Lorraine Meech (husband Haari shown in picture). Congratulations and thank you for shopping local!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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The Ontario government has mandated that as of January 4, 2022 only a QR code, along with photo id, will suffice as proof of Covid vaccination.  QR codes are new to many people, so here is a summary of frequently asked questions:

1. What is a QR Code?  – It is a machine-scannable image that can instantly be read using a Smartphone camera. Every QR code consists of a number of black squares and dots which represent certain pieces of information. When your Smartphone scans this code, it translates that information into something that can be easily understand by humans.  It looks similar to image below.

• Where do I get my vaccination QR code – Vaccinated residents of Huron Perth can go the province’s website for proof of vaccination at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/
  • This explains, simply, what is necessary to get your proof of vaccination.
  • You will be able to download and/or print the certificate.
• How is the code used – Show your QR code either in paper format or as an image on your phone when entering a location requiring proof of vaccination.  The person you show the code will scan it and if a green check mark appears, your proof is valid.  You will be required to show a photo id to ensure you are the person on the QR code.
• What if I don’t have a cell phone – If you can’t have an electronic image, print the proof of vaccination and keep it with you.
• What if I don’t have a printer – Libraries will assist people who don’t have access to a computer and/or printer in order to get their proof of vaccination QR code printed.

The Christmas shopping season kicked off in Wingham on Nov. 12. The Christmas gnomes have arrived along Josephine Street and the Cruickshank Park Christmas lights were turned on in the evening. Christmas music will be playing shortly.

Several retailers are having a Christmas promo through the shopping season. Fill out a ballot whenever you make a purchase at a participating business. Each Saturday, starting Nov. 20 a ballot will be drawn and the lucky winner will receive BIA Community Cash to spend at a local business. BIA Community Cash should be accepted at all Wingham businesses. The business owner redeems any submitted coupons to Libro Credit Union for full cash value. This keeps shopping local and after all “you can find it all in Wingham”.

It is hoped that 2021 will be a year to celebrate many things, including the ever-nearing end of the COVID-19 pandemic and our children finally back to regular in-class learning.
For the Avon Maitland District School Board, it is also a time to celebrate 20 years of managing the Centres for Employment and Learning, a much-needed and well-used service provider for the residents of Huron and Perth Counties.
In September of 2001, the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) hoped to make it easier for members of our community to achieve their learning and employment goals. To do this, they brought together under one roof a variety of services which had previously been delivered by a variety of providers and organizations. These services included Adult Education, Literacy Services, English as a Second Language, and Employment Services. The marriage of all these services meant that residents of our community now had only one stop in their quests for better employment and learning opportunities.
Five Huron County sites (Wingham, Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, and Exeter) were created to house the Centres for Employment and Learning (CELs), in the hopes of making the programs accessible to all residents. (In Perth County, the school board continued to operate learning programs in Listowel and Stratford, but employmentfocused programs were still delivered by other organizations.)
Since 2001, the CELs have helped many residents in their employment and learning needs. Some of the programs they offer are outlined below.
Services for Learners
The CELs offer free learning programs in both Perth and Huron Counties. These include English as a Second Language classes, skills upgrading programs, and high-school credit and GED preparation programs.
The English as Second Language classes are made up of new refugees and
immigrants to Canada, as well as non-English speaking residents who may have lived in Canada for many years. Classes range from beginner to intermediate and are a great way for non-English speakers to meet one another and to develop the confidence to really get involved in their new communities.
The Centres also offer a variety of learning programs. Learners can upgrade their skills with either in person or online programming. With help from Literacy Practitioners, learners can work at their own pace to improve reading, writing, math, computer/internet and workplace skills. They can also prepare to write the GED or get ready for high school credits. The LearningHUB (www.learninghub.ca) is a free online portal that offers training in many topics, including Customer Service Essentials, beginner and intermediate Microsoft Office programs, and trades math upgrading to name only a small fraction of what’s available.
Huron and Perth counties also offer adult education and high school credit courses, including co-op credits. This is for people who either need their high school diplomas or who wish to upgrade their courses to gain admission to college or university programs.

Services for Job Seekers
The CELs in Huron County offer a wide range of free Employment Ontario programs.
Who has used these services over the past 20 years? People laid off from work due to labour market change, workers (from business owners and managers to minimum wage earners) unhappy with their careers and looking for change, new immigrants just starting out in Ontario’s job market, people who’ve been fired or quit their jobs for various reasons, retired persons just looking for something to do to keep busy, people who haven’t worked for many years due to disability, injury, addiction, child care duties, or any other reason… In short, anyone.
What are these services? Free assistance in creating targeted resumes and cover
letters, assistance with online applications for people not able to use or access
computers, employment counselling which can include career decision making and onthe-job advice, interview preparation and practice, connecting with employers on clients’ behalf, arranging for training or skills upgrading, and even offering some funding to assist with the job search process. All services are offered with compassion, without judgement, personalized to the client’s needs, and are 100% confidential. Some clients need only a small bit of assistance, and others work with us for months or even years.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to job search and the flexibility built into these fantastic services allows the CELs to offer help to everyone.

Services for Employers
The CELs of Huron County assist not only job seekers, but also employers. One of the most popular programs offered to employers is the Job Matching Placement & Incentive (JMPI) program. The program offers employers up to $6000 as a wage incentive when they hire a new staff member who is registered with one of the CELs. There is also an Apprenticeship Signing Bonus which offers an employer another $2000 if they register their new staff member as an apprentice. This money is normally used to offset wages but can be applied to training programs as well. The discretion is up to the employer.
The idea of this program is to recognize the financial burden that employers take on when they hire new staff, particularly staff who may be facing barriers (such as language ability, mental health, or skills gap).
Another popular program for employers delivered through the CELs is the Canada Ontario Job Grant (COJG). Funded both federally and through Employment Ontario, this program offers up to $10,000 for eligible training for EACH existing employee and up to $15,000 for EACH previously unemployed new-hire. The purpose of this funding is to create a skilled workforce for Ontario, which benefits everybody. There is a wide range of eligible training but some of the more popular courses include AZ licencing, leadership skills, computer skills, gas fitting licencing, and fitness training certifications.
Other free services for employers include creating job postings, collecting resumes, and even giving advice on wages, interview techniques, training and translating referrals, and health & safety information.
The year 2020 (and the first half of 2021) was a difficult one for learners, job seekers and employers, but things have been looking up as we move into fall. Since the creation of the Centres for Employment and Learning 20 years ago, staff have been both challenged and incredibly rewarded by helping those in our community. It is the hope of the Centres for Employment and Learning of the Avon Maitland District School Board that everyone in our community continues to be able to achieve their learning and employment goals. For more nformation visit www.thecentreforemploymentandlearning.ca and learn how the Centre for Employment and Learning can assist you.

The Huron Perth Public Health Unit has issued posters that non-essential businesses can place on windows and doors. Feel free to download and print.

The information below was sent by the Huron Perth Public Health Unit. This information has also been emailed to the BIA membership via our Mailchimp mass email on Sept. 21.

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Good afternoon, 

You are receiving this email as a local BIA or similar organization. Please also forward this communication to the local businesses connected to your organization. On Sept 14, 2021, the Ontario government announced the release of new guidelines and updates to Ontario Regulation 364/20 to support its Proof of Vaccination Policy. The Proof of Vaccination Policy requirements comes into effect on Sept 22, 2021. In order to address many of your questions, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) is providing you with a list of important documents that you should read and become familiar with.  We understand that not all businesses are required to request proof of vaccination of their patrons, that being said it is still important to understand the new requirements provincially.  Please review the documents listed below: ·        

Regulation 364/20 – Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step made under the Reopening Ontario Act, Ontario, has been updated to reflect the new requirements coming into effect on September 22, 2021. A link to this regulation is found here: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200364#BK7   ·        

Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act and provides information for specified businesses or organizations listed under section 2.1 of Schedule 1 to O. Reg. 364/20. This provincial guidance document outlines the minimum requirements that all businesses and organizations must follow. This document can be found here:https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/guidance_proof_of_vaccination_for_businesses_and_organizations.pdf ·        

Questions and Answers (Q&A) document to help clarify the new requirements under O. Reg. 364/20 as it relates to proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health’s Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act can be found using this link: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/fq_proof_of_vaccination_for_businesses_and_organizations.pdf   o   Within the above Q&A document, HPPH would like to bring your attention to one question specifically with respect to retaining vaccination records:Are businesses and organizations able to keep or retain any information related to proof of vaccination?As per O. Reg. 364/20, a business or an organization shall not retain any information provided by a patron as it relates to proof of vaccination. As you may be aware, Ontario is also developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code to make it safer, more secure and convenient to support patrons in providing proof of vaccination and for businesses to verify vaccination status.

The enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app will be available by October 22, 2021. Ontario’s Proof of Vaccination Guidance document will be updated to reflect the new processes. Should you have additional questions after reading through the above documents,  please contact us through our Environmental Health Response intake line via email EHResponse@hpph.ca or by phone ext. 3670 or ext. 2670.  We will do our best to assist you.  Please note that this information is very new and we are also continuing to learn and understand what is required at this time.  Please be patient with us.  NOTE: You may be the main contact or the person who receives information from HPPH, however, we recognize there may be additional people at your business or in your organization who has also had contact with HPPH regarding this announcement. Please feel free to share the abovedocuments with anyone else at your business or organization who may have questions or will be assisting with the development of your business or organization’s proof of vaccination policy. 

Thank you.

Inspections Team
Health Protection Department 
Courtney Feeney
Public Health Promoter Communications Team
Huron Perth Public Health 
1-888-221-2133  ext.2557
www.hpph.ca

It is with great gratitude that the Township of North Huron is proud to share in the announcement of the Leland and Thora Vance Fund. Leland and Thora Vance were long-time residents of Wingham. Up until their retirement, they owned Vance’s Pharmacy for over 40 years and their dedication to those in need lives on through countless stories of Leland and Thora making themselves available after business hours on nights and weekends to help those in need of medication, advice, and support. Leland and Thora genuinely cared about the people in our community. They both cared so much that they wanted to continue to ensure that the community’s residents were supported even after their lifetime. To do so, Leland and Thora created an endowment fund with Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) to give back to the community that they loved so much. The fund in the amount of approximately seven million dollars is invested and each year the income on the fund will be distributed to support residents of Wingham and provide annual assistance to organizations and community groups in the areas of education, healthcare, recreation and Christian churches. First distributions will be in 2022. Leland and Thora Vance chose to have a committee that included local leaders and KWCF representatives to make the distribution decisions.

The current committee includes the following or their designates:
(1) Chair of the Wingham BIA – Dave Tiffin
(2) Head of local government – Reeve Bernie Bailey
(3) President of the Lion’s Club – Richard Hall (an organization that they both passionately supported during their lifetime)
(4) President & CEO of Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation – Elizabeth Heald
(5) a fifth representative to be determined
While the committee has just been formed and is in the process of working out the details, at this time, the Township of North Huron would like to thank Leland and Thora Vance for their continuing positive impact on the community. Their legacy will live on forever in a community made stronger by their generosity.

Newsletter – June 1^st Launch

Attention Huron County Business Owners! Huron County Economic Development has announced that today is the official launch of the county-wide Huron Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Surveying Project.

Surveys will be mailed to the business community starting today, and will continue through to the end of November 2021.  Volunteers will reach out to businesses, via telephone, to provide assistance and support as needed.

Think of this as a business census – this is your chance to voice your needs and opinions directly to the County! The information collected in the BR&E surveying is vital for the County to continue making informed decisions, and help them take pro-active actions that will have positive and lasting benefits in our community.

Curious to learn more? Contact Cole Nicholson, Huron County BR&E Coordinator at cnicholson@huroncounty.ca or by phone at 519-525-7315.

Learn more about the Huron BR&E here: https://bit.ly/3urRlJ5