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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
On April 4, 2025, business students from Durham College gathered at the Landmark Cinema in Whitby, Ontario, for an inspiring and insightful panel discussion. The event, tailored to provide guidance and foster networking opportunities for future business leaders, featured a diverse group of accomplished entrepreneurs. These experts shared their journeys, challenges and success stories, offering Read More
TARIFF RESPONSE-April 2 On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the implementation of new “reciprocal tariffs,” aiming to address trade imbalances by imposing a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the United States, effective April 5, 2025. Additionally, higher tariffs will be applied to specific countries with which the U.S. has significant Read More