Happy Holidays from the International Village BIA
As we wrap up another year, the Board of Management, Susie and Brendan wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Please note the International Village BIA office will be closed for the holidays December 23rd-January 3rd. For any urgent matters please contact the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 or the Hamilton Police Services Non-Emergency at 905-546-4925.
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Sidewalk Snow Clearing in the City of Hamilton
The City of Hamilton’s Snow and Ice By-law No. 03-296 requires property owners and/or occupants to clear snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of a snow event from:
- sidewalks adjacent to their property
- roofs that overhang the City sidewalk
Snow clearing will be activated when accumulation is 5 cm or greater and cleared to a snow packed end condition with de-icing material as needed.
Help a neighbour, friend or family and assist those who are not able to clear the snow.
**Beginning in November 2022, the City will implement a level of service enhancement for sidewalk snow clearing along Priority 1 roadways as well as Priority 2A roadways where transit operates and all transit stops. This level of service enhancement will further aid residents in accessing transit options City-wide during the winter months.**
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NEW: Jingle All The Way To #TheVillage Contest Ends December 31st
Celebrate the holiday season with the International Village BIA's Jingle All The Way To The Village Contest. From November 15th to December 31st enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card prize pack filled with gift certificates from many of your favourite local businesses.
Here's how you can enter our Jingle All The Way To The Village Contest:
1. Make a purchase of $10 or more (before tax) at any business in the International Village BIA (West Avenue to Mary Street on Main Street East, King Street East, and King William Street) and send a photo of your receipt to thevillagecontests@gmail.com including your name, phone number, and postal code.
OR
2. Tell us why you love #TheVillage? (Minimum 50 words, limit one entry per week). Send your written submission to thevillagecontests@gmail.com including your name, phone number, and postal code.
Full contest rules and eligibility can be found at hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca.
Social Media Posts
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New: Progress Pride Flag Door Decal Now Available for Businesses in the International Village BIA
Businesses in the International Village BIA can now pick up a Progress Pride Flag door decal for FREE at Atomica Tattoo & Art Studio (203 King St. East). Please display this on the door or window of your business.
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New: Apply for an Outstanding Business Achievement Award
Nominations for the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce's annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) and Citizen of the Year Award are now open.
There are 9 categories of awards, including one new award.
- Small Business (1-10 employees) Award
- Mid-Sized Business (11-50 employees) Award
- Large Business (51+ employees) Award
- Young Entrepreneur (Under 40) Award
- Not-for Profit Award
- Century Award
- IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Award
- NEW: CEO of the Year Award
- Hamilton Citizen of the Year
The entire application process can be completed online at obaahcc.ca and applications close Friday, January 13th at 11:59PM. You do not need to be a member of the Hamilton Chamber to apply for an award or nominate another business.
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New: Ontario Helping Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Lower Electricity Costs
The Ontario government is launching a new pilot program to explore dynamic electricity pricing and its ability to lower electricity bills for small and medium-sized businesses including retail stores, commercial offices and farms.
The pilots will test alternate pricing structures that encourage participants to shift electricity consumption to hours where electricity demand is low, helping to reduce costs for businesses. The pilots will help inform the government on the potential for alternate pricing options to provide electricity system benefits and in turn, lower electricity bills for all customers.
The government has directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to work with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to deliver these dynamic pricing pilots. The OEB plans to open applications for the program by the end of 2022.
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New: Ontario Providing Free Naloxone Kits in Workplaces
The Ontario government is launching a first-of-its-kind program to make free naloxone kits (and free training) available at workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.
On June 1st, 2023, at-risk employers will be required by legislation to ensure their workplaces have life-saving naloxone kits and workers are trained on how to use them.
Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and find additional information on accessing naloxone kits and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone.
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New: Canada Summer Jobs 2023: Application Period for Employers Now Open
Not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private sector employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for funding now until January 12th, 2023, to hire young Canadians next summer. Full-time job placements will become available starting in April 2023.
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New: Canada’s Ban on Certain Harmful Single-Use Plastics Takes Effect This Month
Last week, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health; and the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the next important steps in the Government of Canada’s ban on harmful single-use plastics.
Effective December 20th, 2022, the manufacture and import for sale of the following harmful single-use plastics in Canada will be prohibited:
- checkout bags
- cutlery
- foodservice ware made from, or containing, problematic plastics that are hard to recycle
- stir sticks
- straws (with some exceptions)
The ban on the manufacture and import of ring carriers will enter into force in June 2023.
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NEW: Canada Digital Adoption Program - Apply Now
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant supported by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
Small business owners can receive a micro-grant worth up to $2,400 to help get their business online, give their e-commerce presence a boost, or digitalize business operations. Grant recipients must commit to maintaining their digital adoption strategy for at least six months.
To learn more about eligibility requirements or to apply now, click here. |
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NEW: Grow Your Small Business on Instagram
Date/Time: January 5th | 10AM
This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario. This intermediate-level workshop is for those that have already dipped their toes into the world of Instagram and are looking to grow on the platform. We’ll explore different ways small businesses are strategically building a following on Instagram and generating sales from their efforts. You’ll walk away from this workshop with a long list of ideas you can use right away. Register for this Digital Main Street Training Session Here.
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NEW: Google Ads for Small Business
Date/Time: January 10th | 10AM
This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario. Search Engine Marketing can be a great way to ensure your business comes up in Google when your ideal customer is searching for you. Setting up Google Ads properly can be challenging though. This beginner-level workshop will walk you through the things you need to know so you can succeed with pay-per-click Google Ads, even on a small budget. Register for this Digital Main Street Training Session Here.
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NEW: Complimentary Google 360 Photo Tours for Businesses
360 images and tours drive results! 360 images can not only improve your user experience, and make it easier for customers to find you but also let customers peek inside before they arrive while boosting your business’s visibility online. Request your business’s complimentary 360 photo session today through the Hamilton Business Centre and the Digital Main Street Service Squad. |
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NEW: Humanities Career Apprenticeship Program
This innovative program connects new graduates from the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University with reputable Hamilton-based employers like you. Students will gain an opportunity to complete meaningful projects in a work environment that fosters learning, networking and development, and you will receive financial support to access a highly motivated and skilled talent pool.
In 2022/2023, the third year of the program, the aim is to provide funding for up to 15 positions. The employer recruitment process will begin in December 2022, and apprentices will start in their first career roles in early May 2023.
For full program information, please view the employer information package. |
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NEW: TEDxMcMasterU 2022 - February 11th, 2023
TEDxMcMaster is a local community event based on the TED ideology; ideas worth sharing in Technology, Entertainment and Design converge. The purpose of the event is to inspire, inform, and spark conversation, and it is structured around a day of TEDx Talks. To learn more or see their sponsorship information, click here. |
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Ontario BIA Association - What is a BIA?
OBIAA is proud to release 'What is a BIA'. This 10-minute video will provide basic information on Business Improvement Areas and how they help the local business community. Click the video above to watch now!
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WSIB Doubles Rebates for Small Businesses Enrolled in Safety Program
The WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program is a voluntary incentive program that rewards businesses for investing in health and safety. It provides businesses of all sizes and health and safety maturity with the building blocks to improve workplace health and safety.
For a limited time only, smaller businesses (1-99 employees) will receive double the rebate for every program topic they complete up until December 31st, 2022. Plus, WSIB will give smaller businesses enrolling in the program before December 31st, 2022, an immediate $1000 just for signing up.
To learn more about the program and sign up today click here. Program enda December 31st, 2022. |
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Hamilton Rapid Testing Program for Businesses
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is still providing Hamilton businesses and organizations with Free COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Testing Kits for their workplace.To learn more about the program and schedule a pick-up time, click here.
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Federal Government's Business Benefits Finder
The Government of Canada's online Business Benefits Finder helps businesses find the right programs and services that they need. The site generates a tailored list of resources based on a business's identified goals and the type of support needed. To learn more, click here. |
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Reporting Crime in the BIA
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Call 9-1-1
If you see a crime in progress including, aggressive panhandling, assault, theft, and graffiti.
Call Non-Emergencies Line
To report a crime that has already happened such as mischief, damage to vehicle or property, shoplifting that has already occurred, counterfeit money or you see a suspicious person in the area call the Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925.
Report Graffiti
Call 911 if you witness graffiti in progress. If your building has been tagged or see graffiti in the area report it to the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489. For hate or political tag, report it to the Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925.
Report Online
Report a non-urgent crime, such as damage or mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 or physical assault if it happened in Hamilton and you don’t know who it is. Report online here.
Crime Prevention Resources
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International Village BIA Crime Manager
Crime Managers play a crucial role within the Hamilton Police Service. They are the primary liaison between our communities, political leaders, and front-line patrol officers. The International Village BIA’s Crime Manager is able to assist members with non-emergency-related community complaints.
Members in the International Village BIA should direct any non-emergency-related complaints to our Crime Manager.
These complaints can include business theft, vehicle and property damage, suspicious person, aggressive behaviour, counterfeit money, and noise complaints. Members are also able to reach out to our Crime Manager to provide feedback or seek guidance pertaining to a specific issue.
Sgt. Cory Gurman
Central Crime Managers
(905) 540-6074 | cgurman@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
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