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OBIAA WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE 2016 BIA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: Janette MacDonald, Downtown London! Co-Chair, Host and Sponsor Ellen Timms, Port Credit BIA, Co-Chair Virginia Armstrong, Tillsonburg BIA Liz Behrens, Volunteer Patti Brooks, UpTown Waterloo BIA Heidi Currie, Argyle BIA Mark Garner, Downtown Yonge BIA John Kiru, OBIAA Board | TABIA ED Kenna Kozak, Port Perry BIA Andrew Marks, City of Timmins Sue McDowell, Fallsview BIA Tisha Polocko, St. Catharines BIA Sue Powell, Ministry of Agriculture & Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs Heather Sutherland, Pembroke BIA Marty Williams, Downtown Guelph BIA Gael Little, OBIAA Conference Manager Erin Douglas, OBIAA Intern - Humber College Kay Matthews, OBIAA Executive Director Thank You Downtown London - Board and Staff for your amazing support!

Marty Williams Awards Chair

Sue McDowell Award Presenter

Ian Tyson – Keynote Speaker

Janette MacDonald Downtown London!

Co-Chair, Host and Sponsor

Minister Deb Matthews, Minister Brad Duguid, Janette MacDonald and OBIAA President, Ellen Timms

Rob Spanier

Live Work Learn Play Keynote Speaker

For full pictures go to: OBIAA’s Facebook Page

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OBIAA’S VOICE HEARD AT GOVERNMENT ROUNDTABLE The Ontario Business Improvement Areas Association (OBIAA) presented recommendations from Business Improvement Associations, their members and their Municipalities for change. On Wednesday, October 7, OBIAA presented to a multi-ministerial Provincial Government Deputy Roundtable (PERL), the following recommendations:

PRIORITY #1 - MUNICIPAL ACT - OBIAA will be submitted a positioning paper regarding the Municipal Act Review. Definition of BIAs BIAs as Local Boards Interpretation of the Municipal Act

(204-216)

PRIORITY #2 - HISTORIC BUILT FORM ACCESSIBILITY - Our basic downtown infrastructure has not changed radically since the 1960’s, although many outside influences have changed. Limited accessibility has always been there. New awareness, changing demographics, an aging population and new legislation introduced to break down the accessibility barriers, has changed this landscape. Physical Barriers at Street Level Access to Upper Storeys and

Basements PRIORITY #3 - ASSESSMENT Assessment is a complex and broad topic. It has many different elements to consider that can have a profound effect on a BIA's operation and ultimate success. The following related issues, as

identified by local BIA Boards and/or their members, are considered very important: Vacant Unit Rebate Municipal Property Assessment

Corporation (MPAC) Methodology Government Building Exemptions OBIAA concluded the presentation with a Partnership Opportunity on working together with a number of partners to quantify the ‘return on investment’ for the community vitality and economic impact of BIAs. Through the PERL Secretariat, OBIAA advocated for a stakeholder partnership to launch a research project with the objective of gathering available data to understand and quantify the economic impact of BIA’s and their stakeholders in a province-wide data collection initiative. As a collective group of more than 300 BIAs and 70,000 businesses, OBIAA presented these concerns to the Planning, Environment, Resources and Land Deputy Ministers of Ontario (PERL). OBIAA will attend the next PERL Deputy Ministers’ Meeting on March 8, 2017.

ROI on BIAs

In 2016, OBIAA entered into a funding partnership with the Province of Ontario for a research project opportunity to determine the Return on Investment of BIAs in Ontario. The primary goal is to identify a set of common indicators for BIAs across the province to establish the role they play in local economies and community development. These indicators will build a common set of measurements for BIAs, the province and municipalities to use through: Future economic development and

community planning decision making in a changing economy;

The creation of planning tools for BIAs and municipalities to assist in determining the state and needs of local economies;

Identification of data gaps, tools, templates and possibly training to help BIAs to gather socio-economic data easily.

OBIAA has invited people from across Canada to participate in the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is made up of Subject Matter Experts from all aspects and regions that make up the “HEART” acronym – Heritage, Economy, Arts, Revitalization and Tourism. Project Manager, Sarah Millar | Fotenn, John Kiru | TABIA and Kay Matthews | OBIAA make up the Steering Committee. Want to participate or learn more? Contact data@obiaa.com

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OBIAA announced a project to build accessible communities within the 200+ member business improvement areas (BIAs) of Ontario. Funding for this partnership comes from the Government of Ontario’s EnAbling Change Program.

Constance Exley, Project Manager Accessibility Smart Businesses

Accessibility Smart Businesses is a 9-month provincial outreach strategy to educate BIAs and their local businesses about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. OBIAA formed a 9 person Project Advisory Committee. The project expanded the OBIAA Website Accessibility Resources, engaged BIA staff and local businesses with an Employer Engagement campaign across the province through workshops with accompanying tools and resources and held three Employers’ Forums, in Hamilton, Peterborough and Collingwood.

We reached out to BIAs, Municipalities and Businesses to champion the

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) at the OBIAA Awards in the category of Ontario MainStreet Accessibility Awards… and the award went to Downtown Peterborough BIA (see awards page) .

The “Accessibility Smart Businesses” Project created seven ‘information kits’ based on themes such as accessibility funding, myths, barriers, and more. OBIAA has shared extracts from those kits over the last couple of months and we want to encourage you to do the same with your business members via your newsletters, on your websites, and in your social media. Each kit includes a media release, social media content for BIAs to post on their Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as a mix of tips, case studies, checklists, articles, quizzes, and resources. Links to all seven kits can be found on OBIAA’s accessibility resource page...

OBIAA website: The BIA Accessibility Handbook Information Kits for your Businesses Holding an Accessible Meeting Planning an Accessible Special

Event And more, check the OBIAA website often for updates. Changes to the AODA

Beginning July 1, 2016: All employees and volunteers must be trained on accessible customer service More types of regulated health

professionals can provide documentation of the need for a service animal, including optometrists, psychologists, and mental health therapists.

An organization can only require a support person to accompany someone with a disability for the purposes of health or safety, and in consultation with the person. If it’s determined a support person is required, any fee or fare for the support person must be waived.

All accessibility standards — including the accessible customer service standard — are now part of one Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

Private sector and non-profit organizations with 20-49 employees no longer need to document policies. But this does not remove compliance or reporting requirements.

Certain terms and definitions have also been updated, but these changes do not affect your existing requirements. The reporting schedule for organizations also remains the same. All public sector organizations, and businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees must submit their 2017 accessibility compliance report by December 31, 2017.

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Downtown Brockville BIA

Wellington West BIA

Port Credit BIA

Stratford City Centre BIA

Tillsonburg BIA

Want to see photos of your BIA featured in the next issue of OBIAA

NEWS? Send us your pictures to: admin@obiaa.com

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MainStreet Accessibility Award - BIA

Business Retention, Recruitment and Expansion

AND the awards went to:

Downtown Yonge BIA “Yonge Love”

Activated by the Downtown Yonge BIA over the course of seven months in 2014, Yonge Love took a creative approach to community consultation on the future of Downtown Yonge, with the goals of cultivating greater accessibility and diverse voices in civic engagement, building stronger connections with and within the neighbourhood, and sharing Yonge Street’s unique stories and perspectives.

Seaforth and Brussel BIAs “Win This Space”

Win This Space is an innovative recruitment initiative, designed to help a budding entrepreneur open the doors to a new business in one of the empty storefronts in the Seaforth or Brussels downtown business districts. The program encouraged new start-ups in the community.

Seaforth BIA “Art Unhinged”

Art Unhinged involved local artists who worked their magic to turn old discarded doors into beautiful pieces of

art, which were then displayed throughout Seaforth’s BIA. The event not only created a reason for people to visit the business district, but provided an opportunity to celebrate the area’s art community, and shine a light on existing business and investment opportunities throughout the BIA.

Peterborough Downtown BIA “A Day Downtown in a Wheelchair”

Executive Director, Terry Guiel of Peterborough BIA spent a day in a wheelchair, “A Day Downtown in a Wheelchair”, doing all of his regular tasks and produced a video. SEE THE VIDEO Or Cut and Paste

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VROrT6UNPaM

Special Events + Promotions

Bricks + Mortar

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Downtown London BIA “The Power of a Selfie: How London

Gets Down(town)”

In 2015, Downtown London made a strategic decision to move away from traditional billboards or print ads that they had used in the past, and to target earned media opportunities. To do this, they recognized social media as an important tool to tap into the lives of the new demographic living and working in their downtown. They wanted to give Londoners a fun incentive to share their downtown experiences online. The premise was simple… Get Down. Get Snapping. Get Sharing. And Win!

The Waterfront BIA “Waterfront Singing Ambassadors

Program”

The two-time award-winning Waterfront Singing Ambassadors program is a unique initiative conceptualized to improve and promote the community. Running mid-June to Labour Day, Thursdays to Mondays, 11am to 6pm, the program features eight lively and talented summer students who travel along Toronto’s Waterfront and engage visitors, members, and residents through entertainment, assistance and promotion. (See full article on page 7)

Welland BIA “Making Welland Main Street Bridge (Bridge # 13) a Symbol of Economic Impact and Cultural Development”

Illuminating the Welland Bridge with connected LED lights was to create a stunning nighttime spectacle in the heart of Niagara and highlight the city’s potential. The goal was to revitalize local business and economy, increase traffic, establish Welland on the map as an economic center in the region, cultivate culture and improve night life for residents.

Please note: All conference and award presentations are located at www.obiaaconference.com

Award of Distinction 1 Award of Distinction 2 Marketing +

Communications

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The Waterfront BIA (Toronto) has been recognized with a Downtown Merit Award by the International Downtown Association (IDA) for their Waterfront Singing Ambassadors program. There were a total of 19 qualified entries, in their category of Marketing and Communications, which highlights plans or strategies that used print, electronic media, or multimedia efforts to promote downtown and further the value of city centres. The Singing Ambassadors program features eight lively and talented students of music and theatre that travel along the Waterfront, attend member and neighbouring events, and visit major Toronto attractions and transit hubs. They answer questions, provide directions, and offer recommendations on activities, including dining and shopping, plus the Ambassadors give spontaneous a cappella performances of uplifting classic and current songs. The 2015 Singing Ambassadors performed ten a cappella summertime favourites in key locations and busy daytime spots along the Waterfront since the beginning of the summer. Performances have been captured on video and launched on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, helping draw

visitors to experience this value-add while on the Waterfront.

The Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA), established in 2004, is the voice of the business community. Toronto’s WBIA is a community-driven organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the economic and cultural vitality of the waterfront area. The WBIA welcomes 17 million visitors annually with a service area population of 57,121 and growing rapidly. 68% of the area's residents are under the age of 45, and the average household income is $118,924. Unlike most Toronto BIAs, the waterfront is both a full-service residential area and a tourist destination, committed to improving the waterfront area and new pedestrian-friendly promenade. The waterfront ranks second in every visitor category – domestic and international; pleasure and business, first-time and repeat. Through marketing and promotion, special events, streetscape enhancement, strategic planning and advocacy initiatives, the WBIA continues to secure its position as one of Toronto’s premier shopping, business and entertainment destinations. Annual programs include Family Day, Doors/Gangways Open, Redpath Waterfront Festival, Singing Ambassadors and Winterfest on Toronto's Waterfront.

Ontario BIA’s have embraced Culture Days by organizing a wide-range of activities to explore and animate their business improvement areas. Hop on the Musical Bike Ride Interactive Art Exhibit and make music while you bike through Bronte Harbour Village, explore heritage in Greater Napanee’s Architectural Scavenger Hunts or Stratford’s Heritage Carriage Rides, explore Kingston’s many galleries after hours at Art after Dark, declare your love in Fergus at the Love Lock & Kissing Stane Stop or celebrate everything arts and culture at all day festivals in Windsor at Ford City Arts & Heritage Festival and Orangeville at Culture Day in the Park. There’s still time to participate in Culture Days 2016! Businesses and BIAs can be involved in a number of ways including presenting activities, providing venue space for artists and cultural groups, and supporting local marketing and promotions for Culture Days. If your business would like to present an event, simply register your free, interactive activity on the Culture Days website. Check out our TIPSHEET for BIAs to help your local businesses get the most out of Culture Days. To register your activity, find out what’s happening in your community, and plan your weekend see www.on.culturedays.ca

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BIA IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MMAH)

Municipal Act on BIAs BIA HANDBOOK Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,

Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Ministry of Tourism, Culture &

Sport (MTCS) Canadian Urban Institude Study on Downtowns Workplace Harassment – Here is a link to the Ontario Government Site on the Workplace Harassment Policy FIND YOUR MPP - This website helps connect citizens with their elected officials and government services.

HST/GST BIAs are eligible for refunds for your expensed HST. Visit Information on the Public Services Body Rebate and Application for the Public Service Bodies Rebate and Application for GST/HST Public Services Bodies' Rebate and GST Self-Government Refund to apply for your HST today!

ON1CALL Need a Locate or want to be notified

if someone else is digging into your

infrastructure?

For more Information - On1Call

MINISTRY OF LABOUR

What You Should Know About the Ontario Employment Standards Act? What You Should Know About the Ontario Employment Standards Act poster must be posted in the workplace where it is likely that employees will see it. The poster describes important rights and responsibilities under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The poster can be downloaded from the Ministry of Labour website at www.Ontario.ca/ESAposter.

THE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS WORKBOOK

This workbook has been prepared to assist employers and employees in understanding some of their obligations and rights under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and its regulations. Employment Standards Workbook http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/tools/esworkbook/index.php

OBIAA BOARD MEETING

The next board meeting of the Ontario BIA Association is October 18-19, 2016 in Niagara Falls.

Agendas, Minutes and the 2015 Annual Report available upon request.

A NEWSLETTER FOR BIA STAFF, MEMBERS AND MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVES

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