WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on main street businesses and the survival of the small business sector is essential to the Province’s recovery efforts; and WHEREAS on December 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. Ontario entered into a Province-wide Shutdown which limited many main street businesses to curbside pick-up and delivery options only; and WHEREAS ongoing restrictions under the Ontario COVID-19 response framework continue to challenge the revenue models of businesses; and WHEREAS online and digital channels have emerged as an important method for main street businesses to interact with customers and generate revenues; and WHEREAS the Digital Main Street program has been implemented by the City of Barrie through local Digital Service Squads which have supported over 215 main street businesses in the City of Barrie to adopt new online and digital tools and skills, and opportunities for qualifying businesses to access $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants to successfully implement these digital tools within their business; and WHEREAS as of December 31, 2020 applications are no longer being accepted for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant and the specific funding for the Digital Service Squads administered by the City of Barrie ends in March 2021.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED as follows: - That the provincial and federal governments be requested to renew and expand their funding to the Digital Main Street program to help Barrie businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic and to figure in the recovery of the Ontario economy in the future.
- That the provincial and federal governments be requested to renew funding for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant and Digital Service Squad grant programs within the Digital Main Street portfolio.
- That the provincial and federal governments be requested to expand the Digital Transformation Grant program to be available to all main street businesses that are located outside of a designated Business Improvement Area (BIA).
- That the provincial and federal governments be requested to commit to a minimum two (2) year funding extension to the Digital Main Street program.
- That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Barrie’s MPs, Barrie’s MPPs, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Ontario Big City Mayor’s Caucus (OBCM), Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO), GTHA Mayors and Chairs, Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Barrie, Barrie Downtown Business Improvement Association. (Item for Discussion 8.1, February 22, 2021)
Sponsor: Mayor, J. Lehman
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- That staff in Access Barrie investigate the feasibility of procuring a landmark sign (‘heart icon’ Barrie) to bring the City of Barrie together and encourage residents and tourist to capture memories and share on social media, with the proposed sign being bold and having Lake Simcoe in the backdrop, with the sign being a size of 6-10 feet high, and the sign incorporate basic colours and effects so that the lights could be changed in recognition of special occasions and report back to General Committee.
- That upon completion of a competitive bid process and once a preferred vendor is selected, a Working Group be established, including Mayor Lehman, Councillor McCann and Councillor Thomson, the vendor, and staff from Access Barrie to select the final design of the signage and location and installation timelines with a goal of October 2021, and report back to General Committee via memorandum.
- That the cost of the sign not exceed $200,000, with $50,000 to be fundraised by Councillor McCann and the remaining $150,000 to be funded from the Reinvestment Reserve and the Municipal Accommodation Tax. (Item for Discussion 8.3, February 22, 2021)
Sponsor: Councillor, M. McCann |
That staff in the Legislative and Court Services Department investigate the feasibility of amending Business Licensing By-law 2006-266 as amended, to implement restrictions to only permit animals sold through a Pet Shop if acquired through reputable sources including, but not limited to, an animal shelter, registered humane society and registered breeder. (Item for Discussion 8.4, February 22, 2021)
Sponsor: Councillor, A.M. Kungl
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