Canadian Chamber of Commerce goes virtual in response to COVID-19, urges all businesses to do so where possible

(OTTAWA) – March 16, 2020 – As of today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has moved to virtual offices in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. The goal is to ensure the health of staff, members, clients, colleagues in business and government and the communities in which it operates amid the acceleration of COVID-19 in Canada.

“The Canadian Chamber is fully focused on helping our members manage and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on their staff, businesses and communities. The single most important measure in reducing the impact of the virus is social distancing, and that’s why we have gone virtual. There will be minimal interruption to the services that we provide our members and clients as we all work together during this challenging time,” said Canadian Chamber President Perrin Beatty.

The Canadian Chamber continues to work with a coalition of over 40 business associations and the Canadian Labour Congress and as the point group for the federal government on business issues related to COVID-19.

“We are stepping up our efforts to ensure our members and all businesses have access to the tools and information they need to make it through the peak period of the coming weeks. Canada’s business community is fully committed to doing its part as part of Team Canada’s response to COVID-19,” added Beatty. 

Canadian Chamber staff will continue to meet with members and government officials through virtual meetings, including videoconferencing.

Members are asked to continue to work with the Canadian Chamber as they normally would and to use the Canadian Chamber’s toolkit for small businesses to help with decision-making amid a fluid situation.

Customers who make use of services, such as ATA Carnet, are asked to contact exportservices@chamber.ca.

“While we recognize not all companies can do so, particularly where they are providing essential services, we urge every business to consider whether it can shift to greater virtual commerce and help staff self-isolate through remote work. Not only will this slow the spread of COVID-19, but it will also make it safer for essential services workers to do their jobs,” concluded Beatty.

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

For more information, please contact:

Phil Taylor, Managing Director of External Communications, at ptaylor@chamber.ca.