For immediate release | December 1, 2020
Dufferin, ON: Ahead of any potential lockdowns or further restrictions in Dufferin County, the Policy & Advocacy Committee of the Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT) has sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford, our local elected officials and Public Health. We are calling for evidence-based decisions that thoroughly balance businesses’ need for survival with the need for public safety. Our letter reminds our local officials of the importance of small business in our community, and the need for decisions that will keep our community safe and prosperous by allowing our local businesses to remain open.
A copy of the letter can be viewed below, or by clicking here.
Premier Doug Ford
Premier’s Office
Room 281 Legislative Building, Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON, M7A 1A1
Cc: Sylvia Jones MPP; Kyle Seeback MP; Dr. Mercer – WDGPH; Dufferin County Mayors, Councillors, and CAOs; and local Media;
December 1st, 2020
Dear Premier Ford,
The Dufferin Board of Trade is a small grass-roots non-profit organization building up the Headwaters Region by helping the local businesses within it thrive. Small businesses are the backbone of Dufferin County. According to the 2016 Census, 78% of our businesses have nine employees or less, and 97% have 49 or fewer employees. We are reaching out to you to proactively seek support for all small businesses across our region ahead of any potential lockdowns or further restrictions in Dufferin County.
Small business owners’ (and their employees’) livelihoods come from operating their business successfully and safely within our community. Lockdowns have a far greater impact on small businesses than on larger businesses. Employee and customer safety is paramount always, and even more so during the pandemic. Many local businesses have pivoted and designed unique ways to continue to serve the public while keeping their employees and customers safe.
We are calling on you as our local officials to make evidence-based decisions that thoroughly balance businesses’ need for survival with the need for public safety. When large businesses can remain open, but small businesses are forced to close, their doors may never reopen.
We always remind consumers to Think Local, Think Dufferin. Now more than ever, it’s critical to support local businesses, be patient, and find alternative ways to support those businesses that are operating with restricted capacities or those that are currently shut down.
Show your support for Dufferin area small businesses, and for decisions that will keep our community safe and prosperous by allowing our local businesses to remain open.
Sincerely,
Diana Morris, Executive Director,
on behalf of the Policy and Advocacy Committee of the Dufferin Board of Trade
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The Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT) is a grass-roots community building non-profit organization serving Dufferin County for over 110 years. DBOT contributes to community betterment by helping local businesses and non-profits thrive. When local businesses are succeeding the local economy flourishes and businesses can better support local charities, events, and their employees. Learn more at www.dufferinbot.ca.
Media Contact
Diana Morris, Executive Director, Dufferin Board of Trade
[email protected] | 519.941.0490 ext. 202