Thank-you to Our Newsletter Sponsor, Excel Career College, for helping make this newsletter edition possible.
|
|
The Chamber's Weekly Zoom Meetings
|
|
Join us each week on Thursday for a virtual meeting, featuring a different guest and topic. Next week's call provides an event industry update with focus on the Comox Valley. Our speaker next week:
Doug Cox
Vancouver Island Music Fest
When: Thursday, June 18 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
|
|
The Government of Canada has partnered with the
People Outside Safely Together (POST) Promise program, an initiative launched by Canadian private sector organizations to help businesses across the country reopen safely.
The “POST Promise” is a voluntary commitment that business owners and managers can make by following five key public health actions that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Maintaining physical distance
- Washing and sanitizing hands
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
- Staying home if unwell and self-monitoring for symptoms
- Practicing respiratory etiquette (including wearing a mask when physical distancing is difficult)
By displaying the “POST Promise” logo, participating businesses can reassure customers that they are doing their part to help protect Canadians’ health and safety.
|
|
BDC Webinar
COVID-19: How to adapt your business to thrive in the new normal
|
|
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting our everyday habits and creating an unprecedented level of uncertainty for entrepreneurs.
You will need to adapt your business to the new economic reality. This free, live webinar, being offered by BDC, will present a step-by-step approach to manage risks, create contingency plans and equip your business with a strategic vision that takes into account the changed landscape.
BDC Advisory Services experts will discuss the best practices to adapt your business to the current business environment.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce will share insights into its survey on Canadian business conditions as a result of the pandemic.
You’ll discover:
- How economic conditions have changed for Canadian businesses
- How to develop a clear strategic direction for your business
- Tools to evaluate your current strategic situation and develop a way forward
- Stories of entrepreneurs who have successfully transformed their companies
The presentation is followed by a Q&A session with our experts.
When: June 15, 2020 - 12:00 p.m. (EDT)
|
|
Habitat For Humanity Online Auction - Bid to Build
|
|
According to a recent report from the Victoria and Vancouver Foundations, 1 in 5 nonprofits in BC are at risk of permanently closing due to the pandemic. You can help ensure
Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North, a Comox Valley Chamber member, will not be one of them.
The Habitat team is looking for items for their online auction -
Bid to Build. They recognize the challenges facing the local business community and will:
• Use their strong social media platform to highlight donating businesses and the Chamber of Commerce
• Help you come up with a way you can donate, such as putting together a basket of stock, that will soon be out of season, creating a donation that can be used during non-peak hours OR creating an experience that will not cost you anything!
There is more information in the attachment (below) about Bid to Build and Habitat’s impact in our community OR you can skip right to emailing Karen McKinnon at
karenm@habitatislandnorth.com and let her know you are in! She can guide you from there. Thank you on behalf on the Habitat team!
|
|
Benefits Payments for eligible Canadians
to Continue Until Fall 2020
|
|
As announced by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, on May 15, 2020, the CRA has extended benefit payments until the end of September for those who are unable to file their 2019 tax return on time. For individuals who already receive the Canada child benefit, the GST/HST credit, or both, their estimated payments will be based on the information from their 2018 tax return.
In addition, as noted in the Prime Minister’s News Release on May 12, 2020, this also applies to temporarily extending GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed.
This will ensure that the most vulnerable population continues to receive their benefits when they need them the most.
If you are unable to file your clients’ 2019 return in time for it to be assessed by early September 2020, the estimated benefits and/or credits will stop in October 2020. Your client will then be advised to repay the estimated amounts that were issued to them starting in July 2020.
The CRA encourages Canadians to file their tax returns by June 1, 2020 or as soon as possible in order to receive the right amount of benefits based on their 2019 tax return, and in order to ensure continuity of benefits beyond September 2020.
Information about extended filing deadlines for benefit and credit recipients is available here:
• Covid-19 campaign page
• Filing and payment dates
• Child and Family Benefit web page
• Canada Child Benefit
• GST/HST credit page
|
|
|
|
The Comox Valley Chamber and
Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue are excited to announce the new detailed Comox Valley Map!
This map has all the detailed streets for Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland and outlaying areas.
There is wholesale and retail pricing.
The wholesale price (over 25 maps) is $3.00 plus GST & PST = $3.36 per map
The retail price is $4.47 plus GST & PST = $5.00 per map
|
|
Don't let self isolation make you feel alone!
The Chamber has a myriad of online resources to help you and your business and you can connect with our staff if you have further questions.
[ONLINE RESOURCES]
[CONNECT WITH THE CHAMBER]
|
|
|
The Courtenay Legion recently presented the
Comox Valley Health Foundation with a cheque for $20,000, to be used to support the Foundation’s Area of Greatest Need. Courtenay Legion is a Pioneer donor to the Foundation,
since 1998 they have donated $200,000 to support healthcare in the Comox Valley, especially in areas that support our community’s Veterans.
|
|
Seniors Foot Care offers specialized foot care to people of all ages. Their foot care nurse is trained in advanced medical foot care procedures. They maintain current licensing and a commitment to meeting the highest industry standards of care.
Currently accepting new clients.
|
|
Vancouver Island Home Builders Association has a number of events coming up, including:
- How to Market Your Business Through COVID-19 [WEBINAR]
|
|
Courtenay Legion is OPEN and they are excited to see everyone again, but of course with safety always in mind. Safety Plan is posted on
website and
Facebook.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Enter Lounge through our back door (parking lot side). Meat Draws, Bands, Euchre are still cancelled until further notice.
|
|
Sussex Insurance (inside Superstore) is extending their hours to 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 7 days a week by appointment only.
|
|
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is advising residents that the Comox Valley Sports Centre fitness facility, will be re-opening on June 15 at 7:00 am. Schedule your visit online. [
PRESS RELEASE]
|
|
We could not provide our advocacy, business resources, and services for business in the Comox Valley without the support of our members. Thank you to the members who have renewed their memberships this month:
|
|
Thank you for staying in touch with The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber sends a regularly scheduled Newsletter every second Thursday. From time to time, we will also send emails about important issues facing the business and/or local community, surveys, and information about upcoming events and E-Blasts. You may unsubscribe at any time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
