Rapid Testing Kits Available Through Chambers of Commerce
Rapid Testing Kits Available Through Chambers of Commerce
6 July 2021
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, the Saint John
Region Chamber of Commerce and the Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce today announced a
plan to distribute free self-screening rapid testing kits to small- and medium-sized businesses and
organizations throughout New Brunswick.
The goal of the program is to provide an additional layer of protection that will help protect workers and
clients along with the livelihoods of small business owners by reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our
workplaces and communities.
“By providing these free testing kits, we will not only keep people in our community safe but hope to
assist our small- and medium-sized businesses get back on track after a very difficult year,” said John
Wishart, CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton.
Identification of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic workers through the program will allow
workplaces to proactively identify cases of COVID-19 that may have otherwise been missed, supporting
employee safety and business continuity.
“As Dr. Russell has talked about extensively, the Green phase of recovery is ‘living with COVID’, which
means, as more New Brunswickers are vaccinated, future cases of COVID-19 are much more likely to be
asymptomatic,” added Krista Ross, CEO of the Fredericton chamber. “Consistent workplace testing of
those without symptoms will therefore become more of an important tool than in the early days of the
pandemic.”
Data collection is also a key component of the program, and all participating businesses will need to
submit their screening results regularly. This accumulated data will be reported to Health Canada and
the New Brunswick Department of Health.
“We are pleased to offer these kits as part of a national program,” added Cathy Pelletier, Executive
Director of the Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce. “The rapid antigen screening kits do not
replace the PCR tests administered by Public Health, but they are another tool in the toolbox companies
can use to keep their employees and customers safe.”
The Chambers of Commerce Rapid Testing Initiative is part of the safe restart of the economy and made
possible by the Government of Canada though Health Canada and the partnership and support of the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. The chambers have signed an
agreement with the NB Department of Health to be the distributor of the kits in New Brunswick. All
participating businesses and organizations must also sign a document with guidelines on how the rapid
tests should be used.
“This workplace testing program is a great example of the collaborative work of the chambers of
commerce in New Brunswick and throughout the country,” added David Duplisea, CEO of the Saint John
Region Chamber of Commerce. “Our respective organizations have worked closely together for many
years and those relationships have served us well throughout the pandemic. This program would be a
daunting proposition for any one of us, but by working together we are able to deliver this important
tool to businesses and organizations.”
Businesses and organizations interested in the accessing rapid test kits for their workplaces can do so by
contacting the participating chamber of commerce closest to your area.
-30-
About the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, a nationally accredited organization with more than 1,000
members, is an active business organization engaged in policy development and advocacy that affects
the competitiveness of our members and the Canadian business environment. The Chamber’s vision is
‘Stronger Community Through Business Prosperity’.
About the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton is a nationally accredited organization with close to
800 members. It is the voice of business in Greater Moncton and has a mandate to promote the
individual and collective success of its members and community through member benefits, events and
networking, and a strong advocacy focus.
About the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce
The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated
to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in
the community. The Chamber is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community
of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities
designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.
About the Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1907, the Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest chambers of
commerce in New Brunswick in addition to being the largest French-speaking chamber in the province.
With nearly 400 members spread across the city of Edmundston and surrounding municipalities, its role
is to represent the interests of its members, collaborate with community stakeholders and promote the
economic and social development of the community.
Media Contacts:
Krista Ross, CEO, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
(506) 458-8006 / kristar@frederictonchamber.ca
John Wishart, CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
(506) 856-4000 / jwishart@ccgm.ca
David Duplisea, CEO, Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce
(506) 634-8111 / dduplisea@thechambersj.com
Cathy Pelletier, ED, Edmundston Region Chamber of Commerce
(506) 737-1877 / direction@ccedmundston.com