Ask a Leader

Are you a member of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce (WCC)? Use this form to submit a business-related question to a specific elected representative and they’ll do their best to respond as quickly as possible. We are targeting a turn-around time of five to seven business days. The objective is to continue a dialogue, respond to specific concerns and centralize the information by publishing the questions and answers so that our business community can remain informed.

The WCC Advocacy Committee will ensure the questions are sent to the appropriate respondent(s) and may edit the questions to ensure clarity and avoid duplication. Contact information is requested to allow the committee to follow up if necessary, but will not be published.

Previously Asked Questions

Regarding enforcement of the mask policy, is there advice from public health for the situation when an employee chooses not to wear a mask? Can the business continue to offer goods/services if the employee(s) are not wearing masks?

Employees are required to wear non-medical face masks/face coverings in the following areas:

When in an area that is accessible to the public
When in an area where they can interact with the public or other staff members

If an employee refuses to wear a mask, they can work in other areas that are inaccessible to the public and in areas where physical distancing (2 meters) from other employees can be maintained at all times.

Answered July 17

If a person doesn’t have the means to purchase masks to wear each day, is it up to the business to provide?

What about large indoor spaces where people can physically distance? For example, within a classroom at a post-secondary institution, are masks still required?

Why did your government implement tariffs on 16 ounce cans? It only hurts craft brewers. Why not target American-made goods such as bourbon, etc? Why didn't you freeze the beer tax like the province?

Our government has ensured that our trade responses are effective and proportionate. The Government of Canada has issued a Notice of Intent which outlines our countermeasures in trade. Canada intends to impose surtaxes against imports of aluminum and aluminum-containing products from the U.S., representing a proportionate amount of Canadian aluminum products affected by the U.S. tariffs.

Our government has supported Canadians directly during this pandemic with measures like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. We will continue to support Canadians during this uncertain and challenging time.

Answered September 14, 2020 by MP Ryan Turnbull

Why did you not extend the commercial rent relief?

I have advocated for the extension of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program and I am pleased to report that this vital program will be extended for one month. Following that, the program will be reexamined to best meet the needs of Canadian businesses during this challenging time. I have heard from small businesses in Whitby about how important this support has been and I will continue to be their champion.

Answered September 14, 2020 by MP Ryan Turnbull

All COVID-19 updates from the WCC can be found at www.whitbychamber.org/covid-19. Information from the Region of Durham can be found at www.investdurham.ca/covidresponse.