May 24, 2020
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FREDERICTON – A reopening guide for the business community is receiving lots of praise for its guidance during COVID-19.
David Duplisea, CEO of The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce said the Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton chambers worked on it together.
“The three chambers, we were invited and participated in a national webcast presenting the model on how the three of us worked together and how we managed to get a reopening and recovery guide before the government did,” he said.
Duplisea said it is important to have some kind of a recovery guide during the pandemic.
“Businesses in New Brunswick are facing a number of unprecedented external and internal pressures on their operations,” he said.
“As this pandemic continues, many businesses are finding it more and more difficult to absorb fixed costs as revenues have been hit dramatically. Hence it has never been more important that businesses get back to doing business.”
Duplisea said the guide also includes links for certain sectors such as daycares and transportation, retail and construction to make it a more comprehensive guide.
“Businesses in the province require a clear direction of what is mandatory and what is suggested by governments in order for them to get back to doing business,” said John Wishart, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton.
“This guide will help them on the road to recovery.”
Krista Ross, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce said businesses are looking forward to getting back to what they do best for their customers and clients.
“They also want to make sure that they are operating safely and following the Public Health advice that has been so successful at fighting COVID-19 in our province,” she said.
The guide includes information regarding personal protective equipment.
“It covers everything from what kind of awareness language you have to use and what some of the pre-screening tools would be, what are the laws around the physical distancing and cleaning and disinfecting and personal hygiene and things like that,” said Duplisea.
He said businesses are cautiously optimistic although they are concerned about how consumer-driven habits will impact the community.
“They were looking for leadership or someplace to go for a consistent and trustworthy type of message. There are all kinds of different organizations and narratives out there,” he said.
Duplisea said it’s a learning curve for everyone and it will be up to us to figure out what the new normal will look like.
Stephanie Sirois is a reporter with Country 94, a Huddle content partner.
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Moncton, Saint John And Fredericton Chambers Partner On Back To Business Guide
Monday, May 25, 2020
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Business Truth & Reconciliation
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
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