Province Launches New Campaign to Support Buying Local

Tuesday, 30 June 2020 12:33

The Province of Ontario has launched a new campaign called Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!

ONTARIO - The Province of Ontario has launched a new campaign called Shop Local! Shop Safe! Shop with Confidence!

Associate Minister of Small Business Prabmeet Sarkaria says it is designed to encouarge everyone in the Province to support local small businesses and to shop safely while doing so.

"The countless stories of success from our diverse small business community is living proof that Ontario is a place to grow and achieve big dreams. All of our small businesses supported the fight against COVID-19, many by closing their doors for several months—now it's our turn to help support their recovery. When Ontarians Shop Local, Shop Safe and Shop with Confidence, we're doing our part to ensure the future vitality of our main streets, our communities and our province."

The province's campaign asks for mayors, local leaders and groups to support our small businesses by committing on social media to "Shop Local, Shop Safe, Shop with Confidence," while highlighting the best practices put in place by businesses to help keep shoppers safe while ensuring that the reopening of Ontario continues to be a success.

For example, the principles of the People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise encourage small businesses to strictly follow health guidelines and reopen with appropriate measures in place, so consumers can shop safely and with confidence, including:

- Washing and sanitizing hands
- Maintaining physical distancing
- Staying home if unwell
- Practicing respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly

The province, in partnership with various health and safety organizations, has also released sector-specific guidelines in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These documents help workplaces better understand their responsibilities and includes best practices they can use to help them comply with their legal obligation to protect the health and safety of workers. You can read those guidelines online here.