NEWS RELEASE
NEWMARKET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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It’s on! The Canada United Weekend is officially underway in Newmarket. The event is part of a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC has brought together more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands, business associations and the national chamber network to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.
Newmarket residents are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, from August 28 to 30, 2020. As part of that, Canada United is giving away 25 cash prizes of $10,000 each to Canadians shopping or dining with local businesses during the three-day Canada United Weekend.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies and key to thriving communities,” says Tracy Walter, President & CEO of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce. "This weekend, Aug. 28, 29 and 30, we’re encouraging everyone to shop and dine local, and support small businesses in Newmarket.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in Newmarket and across the province and Canada, says Walter. “We need to continue to support small businesses who create jobs, drive innovation, and generate wealth for communities across Ontario – they will play an integral role in helping the province bounce back.”
Following the event, small Canadian businesses of all kinds will be able to apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national chamber network. Small business owners who are interested in the program can visit GoCanadaUnited.ca to learn more about grant application details, including eligibility criteria, and to apply.
“We are excited to welcome the Newmarket Chamber to Canada United to help local businesses and Canada’s economy come back strong,” said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. “Canada United was created to kick-start an economic rebound by rallying consumers to give local businesses the support they need to re-open during these uncertain times. By bringing together government, business associations and corporate Canada, we are looking to start a movement to get Canadians to buy local and support businesses across the country. We are genuinely excited by the energy all of our partners are bringing to this effort.”
“If there has been one silver lining in all the tragedy and sacrifices of the current crisis, it has been the spirit of collaboration and unity of purpose that has been evident between levels of government, across provinces and across sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
“We are calling on that same unity of purpose with Canada United. Small, local businesses are the heart of our communities, our Main Streets and our economy. Together, it is time to show local some love.”
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