Chamber Blog
Counter Tariff Update
As I said yesterday, this past week brought another significant escalation in the trade relationship between Canada and the United States. New U.S. tariffs of up to 50 per cent have taken effect on a wide range of Canadian goods, and Canada has announced dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on affected U.S. imports, effective September 8, 2026. For Read More
Read MoreA Message on the Tariff Situation, and How We’re Supporting You
This past week brought a real escalation: trade talks between Canada and the U.S. broke down, new U.S. tariffs of up to 50% took effect on a wide range of Canadian goods, and Canada responded with dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs along with billions in federal support for affected workers and businesses. If you’re feeling uncertain about Read More
Read MoreAdditional Tariffs under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act
Dear Members, We are sharing an important update regarding new U.S. tariffs that may affect Whitby businesses exporting goods to the United States or operating within cross-border supply chains. On July 20, 2026, the United States announced additional tariffs under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act. The recently announced measures include: An additional 50% Read More
Read MoreIntroducing the AccessAbility Award
The Whitby Chamber of Commerce and the Abilities Centre are proud to announce the launch of the new AccessAbility Award, a recognition program celebrating businesses, organizations, programs, and initiatives that are advancing accessibility and inclusion in the Town of Whitby. Accessibility is more than a requirement—it is a commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity Read More
Read MoreLast Week I was in Ottawa
From Whitby to Ottawa: Turning Local Voices into Provincial Action Last week, I made the trip to our nation’s capital and joined our Chamber friends at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) AGM & Convention. On my first day in Ottawa, I was invited to join MP Ryan Turnbull on Parliament Hill to talk about what is going on in the House of Commons, what it means for Read More
Read MorePeter Perry Winner Announced 2025
Whitby, ON – October 2025 — The Town of Whitby and the Whitby Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce Leo Plue as the recipient of the 2025 Peter Perry Award, the town’s most prestigious honour recognizing outstanding community service and leadership. Each year, the Peter Perry Award celebrates those who strengthen Whitby not through Read More
Read MoreCelebrating Small Business Week
This week, we proudly celebrate Small Business Week — a time to recognize the entrepreneurs, family businesses, innovators, and local employers who are the heartbeat of our community. Small businesses are more than economic contributors — they are the people who sponsor our youth teams, donate to local causes, hire our neighbours, and shape the Read More
Read MoreWhy Disability Pride Month Matters to Your Business
By Matisse Hamel-Nelis Every July, Disability Pride Month rolls around, and if your first thought is, “That’s not really about business,” I want to gently challenge that. Disability Pride Month is a celebration of identity, resilience, and community. It’s about embracing disability as a natural and valuable part of human diversity, not something to be Read More
Read MoreCelebrating the First World Franchise Day
Franchises: An Engine of Local Business and Economic Growth When we think of franchises, global names like McDonald’s or Tim Hortons may come to mind. But the real story of franchising is happening much closer to home. Franchises are an integral part of our local economy—offering jobs, services, and stability in communities like Whitby and Read More
Read MoreHow to honour multiple days of significance without missing the mark
By Matisse Hamel-Nelis, ADS, CPACC As business owners, there are times when you open your calendar and feel overwhelmed. As you scroll, you realize the upcoming month is filled with various days of significance, including overlapping week and month-long events. Days of significance are moments throughout the year that hold meaning personally, culturally, historically, or Read More
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