January 8, 2021:

Local Chambers offering experts to help businesses access COVID-19 supports

 If you’re having trouble accessing COVID-19 government support programs to assist your business, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Chamber Check, can help through the launch of their ‘Ask the Expert’ initiative. Read more.

Dec 15, 2020:

'Chamber Check' program launched to keep businesses open and safe

The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce have launched a new certification training program through their Chamber Business Ready platform that aims to help businesses remain open by creating a safe environment for both employees and customers alike. Read more.

May 19, 2020

Joint letter released by  the heads of the leading business organizations in Waterloo Region;   The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech Corporation, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce together released a joint letter this morning to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford  with a Letter of Support and Offer of Partnership: Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s Request for Financial Support

April 23, 2020

Second joint letter released by as the heads of the leading business organizations in Waterloo Region;   The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech Corporation, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce together released a joint letter this morning to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford with on advise and support for the business community during COVID-19.

March 25, 2020

Joint letter released by as the heads of the leading business organizations in Waterloo Region;   The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech Corporation, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce together released a joint letter this morning to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford with on advise and support for the business community during COVID-19.

March 25, 2020

Letter from The Chamber President. 10% Payroll Tax Deduction (Federal) Eligibility 

I'm not sure the phrase "these are unprecedented times" is even a suitable description, however, we have no choice but to forge through this, and find a way back to better times, in the short term, not long term. We know this cannot continue, most of you have heard me say that business provides all of the money for all of the resources for everyone, including governments. Sustainability for a long period is simply impossible as other aspects of society start to rapidly deteriorate.
 
The office is closed EXCEPT for Certificates of Origin for those who are manufacturing goods and shipping them overseas. Please let us know when you might be arriving with documents so we can watch for you at the door, or call 519-622-2221, ext 2221, or email [email protected] or myself.
 
I am working virtually around-the-clock for you, staying in the loop with government decision-makers, offering ideas, and opinions in effort to get the most urgent help to where it will make the most difference, to you and your business.  What we cannot afford is to have the recovery experience deepen losses in business. We know that because we all have businesses and must have resources left to energize our businesses, and I am working on that every single day, all day.
 
I have had group conference calls, personal calls and Zoom meetings with colleagues, and political leaders locally, provincially and federally. I can tell you our voice is being heard. We are hoping to release more information that will enable you to navigate the transitions ahead.

We are here for you, so please reach out at anytime. My direct line is 519-622-6543, please leave a message, I will get it via email, or email me at [email protected] or any of our staff. Our emails can be found at  www.cambridgechamber.com . I had one Member the other day who said it was just nice to have a shoulder to cry on. But we can be more than that, we can connect you, offer you advice, direct you to the right source for your answers and also keep you up to date on what we are working on. 
 
I had a member the other day who stated  "it is just nice to have a shoulder to cry on", but we can be more than that. We can connect you, offer you advice, direct you to the right source for your answers and also keep you up to date on what we are working on.
 
What I need MOST from you right now is tips, advice and ideas that I can share with our members to help them through this. Our YouTube channel  has videos we have produced recently on things to consider and we'll post more, please subscribe to this channel. We will be doing webinars, zoom meetings and all we can to keep you up to date, keep you informed and make sure we do absolutely everything to get you through this.
 
If you have the ability to re-tool, help make medical supplies, please visit the two websites one for Canada and one for Ontario. Folks, we will have to go back to work very shortly, the virus will still be with us until a vaccine is available, the economy cannot be shut down until that day comes and we are very unlikely to eliminate the virus just by not working. So, we'll need supplies for a long period of time, please, if you can, if you want or can restart your business helping with supplies, please consider it and go to these websites ONTARIO  and for CANADA.
 
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Communitech Corporation, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce together released a joint letter this morning to Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford. 
 
We are here, call, email, unfortunately you can only drop in for Certificates of Origin. Hang in there!
 
Greg Durocher
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO  

March 15, 2020

Letter from The Chamber President

To help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection, the Chamber office will be closed to the public until further notice.  All Chamber staff will continue to be available from 9 - 5pm by email or by calling 519-622-2221.  The Chamber has compiled a COVID-19 Business Planning Checklist to assist through these difficult times.

If you require a Certificate of Origin, please call 519-622-2221 ext 2221 and we will make arranagements to process these for you.

All Boardroom Rentals have been cancelled.  Please email Melissa at 519-622-2221 ext 2225 if you have any questions.

The Visitor Centre will be closed to the public until further notice, however self-serve service for brochures and maps is available in our atrium. Public washrooms are closed.

Greg Durocher
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO  

March 13, 2020.

Latest Update: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Excellence Awards

Recognizing the achievements of our business community is of the utmost importance, especially at an historic time like this in our economy.  This is why we WILL be ensuring our annual night of celebration – the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards - occurs in a manner that is safe for all. This is why we have made the decision to POSTPONE our awards until May 28, 2020, as a result of concerns surrounding COVID-19.

This is not a cancellation since we will be holding this event when it is safe for the community as a whole. Current Region of Waterloo Public Health information indicates that initiatives in place to ensure the interruptions of gatherings are, in fact, temporary.

We have also already been taking steps to ensure our Members and guests are safe at all our events by providing hand sanitizer and ensuring the facilities who’ve hosted our events are practising intensive cleaning regiments. Our Business Growth programs, which are held at our office, will continue as usual since attendance is limited to under 30 attendees, and until further notice, we will be restricting attendance at our popular breakfast and lunch series events to 100 participants or less.

We anticipate these restrictions to be short-lived and our programing will return to normal. Business cannot happen without interaction, networking and gathering; it is the foundation of doing business. We will comply with every order from public health, as it is in all of our best interests to ensure this is a short period of disruption.

We will continue to keep our Members up to date on happenings locally with regular posts on social media, through our regular emails and even videos. Please make sure you are following the Chamber on Twitter (@My_Chamber), Facebook and Instagram (@cambridge_chamber). For more information, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the staff at the Chamber.

As the situation continues to evolve, we are monitoring closely and ensuring our own best practices align with the guidance provided by leading qualified health organizations.  Your health and well-being, and that of our team, remains at the forefront.

Greg Durocher
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
President & CEO