Thank-you to Our Newsletter Sponsor, Excel Career College, for helping make this newsletter edition possible.
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You Can Still File Your 2019 Tax Return
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This year
, the
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) extended the tax-filing deadline
from April 30 to June 1, 2020, to help Canadians meet their tax-filing needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Many Canadians took advantage of having more time to file their income tax and benefit return, but if you haven’t had a chance to do so, you still can!
The CRA doesn’t want you to miss out on the important benefits and credits you’re entitled to, and filing your return ensures you get the correct payment amounts. To make sure your benefit payments continue and any refund comes quickly, you’re strongly encouraged to file as soon as possible.
The CRA has resources to help you file:
- Get ready to do your taxes – Get helpful information to start the return filing process
- Doing Your Taxes – Check out our step-by-step guide on completing your return and sending payment to the CRA
- NETFILE-certified tax software – Find certified tax software you can use to file online, some of which are free
- Virtual tax clinics – Community organizations are hosting free virtual tax clinics where a volunteer over the phone or by video conference can help you file your return
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Chamber Members Benefit From Clover Merchant Services
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Are your current merchant services leaving you desiring something different? As a Chamber member, you have access to merchant services through
Clover, a service offered by First Data.
The Clover Terminal is an all-in-one solution:
- Clover is mobile - so you can accept payments curbside or at your counter
- Ability to create an online store linked to your Clover account, allowing you to sell on Facebook and Instagram!
- Easy and intuitive cloud-based POS software that allows you to track sales, orders, discounts, costs, and manage inventory, and take orders online or over the phone with the Clover Virtual Terminal.
Chamber Members can take advantage of this amazing benefit:
- Free 90 day Clover® Flex terminal rental
- No Early Termination Fee
- Simple, affordable, transparent pricing
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Non-Medical PPE Marketplace
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Small Business BC has created a Non-Medical PPE Marketplace to connect businesses with suppliers of non-medical safety equipment.
As we move through the four phases of B.C.’s Restart Plan and businesses start to reopen and operate - PPE – will play a key role in helping keep us all safe.
Click on the button below to see suppliers, filter by BC-based companies and see who has gloves, counter-guards, sanitizer and everything else you need to operate safely.
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Chamber network win – Extension to Temporary Layoff Provision
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BC Business spoke with one voice and the provincial government listened on the temporary lay-off provision!
Thank you to Premier Horgan and the BC government for acting on the BC Chamber network and other business associations’ request to further extend the temporary layoff provision in the
Employment Standards Act to August 30th.
This is a clear
BC Chamber network win.
Local chambers shared with the BC Chamber that the temporary layoff provision was top of mind for their members’ and we made sure the provincial government knew that. See the compelling results of our most
recent BCMindReader.com survey on this issue.
Extending the temporary lay-off provision will save countless businesses from going bankrupt if they had to pay out severance to their employees who have been temporarily laid off due to COVID-19. In the majority of cases, we know employers want to bring back their teams – but they just need more time. By extending this time-frame again, the provincial government is giving business more time to get back on their feet and open their business’ doors again. By providing this breathing room, the provincial government is helping to get more British Columbians back to work.
Prior to these changes, employers could temporarily layoff their employees for up to three months if no notice with a recall date was provided or for a period of up to six months if they provided a notice with an expected recall date before the layoff became a termination. The amendments, which are set out in the Canada Labour Standards Regulations, temporarily extend these time periods by up to six months:
- For employees laid off prior to March 31, 2020, the time period is extended by six months or to December 30, 2020, whichever occurs first.
- For employees laid off between March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the time period is extended until December 30, 2020 unless a later recall date was provided in a written notice at the time of the layoff.
These changes, which came into effect on June 22, 2020, do not apply to employees who are covered by a collective agreement that contains recall rights.
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Current OHS Regulation Applicable to COVID-19
Canadian Home Builders' Association Vancouver Island
July 8 at 10:30 - 11:30 AM
By: MJ Wilson with BC Construction Safety Alliance
Brave New World | Navigating The Crisis And Its Aftermath
Canadian Business Resilience Network
July 7 at 1:00 PM ET
With: Jimmy Jean, a Macro Strategist with Desjardins Capital Markets
COVID-19: Technology Trends And Business Continuity
Canadian Business Resilience Network
July 8 at 2:30 PM ET
With: Wayne Cuervo and Lisa Richardson from Cisco Canada
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Bizmap for Courtenay and Comox
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Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism (CVEDS) is pleased to announce the launch of two new local Bizmap Market Area Profiles for Downtown Courtenay & Downtown Comox, part of an excellent collaboration between
Small Business BC and
CVEDS. These are the first Bizmap Market Area Profiles to be completed for communities outside of Vancouver, and was a project identified in CVEDS annual Work Plan.
Bizmap offers a powerful tool to analyze and compare key market data at the neighbourhood level, with the objective of supporting small business development and new investment in the downtown areas for both the City of Courtenay and the Town of Comox. The project further supports the strategic priorities of both the City and the Town, with regards to a continued focus on downtown revitalization and enhancement.
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Yesterday, marked the first time in 20 years that there was no show on July 1st at the Sid Williams Theatre. It was also the first time since WWII that there was no Canada Day parade.
On a brighter note, the
Sid Williams Theatre Society is one of the recipients of funding under the
Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET)’s Small Capital Restart Funding Stream. The Sid Williams Theatre Society (SWTS) project,
Live-streaming from the Sid, will receive funding to purchase equipment for professional quality live-streaming of performances, workshops and other community-based events. To mitigate the impacts of physical distancing guidelines, a new hybrid operating model will combine small live audiences (with physical distancing and other safety protocols) with live-streaming.
This will enable “The Sid” to reach a wider audience, serve audience members who might otherwise not be able to participate in person and create a new revenue stream to offset attendance limitations. “The Sid” is one of the busiest regional theatres in the province and this project will allow them to provide relevant and meaningful artistic performances in safe and financially viable ways.
“Supporting our cultural and artistic institutions through improved and alternate revenue generation is a long-term investment in our communities,” says ICET CEO Line Robert. “The Streaming from the Sid project and the previously approved Tidemark Theatre project will help to stabilize the regional arts and culture sector pending Phase 4 reopening, providing benefits to community arts organizations, professional artists, event organizers and the broad audiences these events serve.”
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Spend local to Help Revive Canada.
The Big Spend is a one-day, buy local event designed to help revive Canada’s economy. On July 25, take action & help the nation’s post COVID-19 rebuilding process.
Local small businesses make our communities run. They support community events and sponsor sports teams. They also provide nearly 70% of all private sector jobs in Canada.
They have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to support their recovery in the same way they have supported our communities time and again.
On July 25, be part of helping to revive the Canadian economy by making an intentional purchase at a local small business of your choice.
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Recently, a policy that we, the Chamber, have been collaborating on, was approved by the BC Chamber!
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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
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The sixth project update about the
Comox Valley Water Treatment Project is available now. This issue includes progress updates for the raw water pump station and water treatment plant construction site, including some great photos and a look ahead for this summer.
There are also some great time-lapse videos available
HERE.
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Tom Dishlevoy of
TDA
is supporting
YANA (You Are Not Alone) cause this year by participating in their fundraising cycling event, being held between August 1st and 15th, under unique conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is targeting 500 km of riding around the Comox Valley during this period. You can support his ride endeavor through his YANA fundraising page that can be easily accessed online at:
TOMS YANA PAGE
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40 Knots Winery is accepting reservations for tours and tastings, Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 - 5:00 PM.
All COVID-19 protocols are being followed - groups can be no larger than six people. You are welcome to stay for a picnic after your tasting or check out the interpretive trail. FREE shipping for your wine to your home (across Canada) is still available but for a limited time.
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Are you struggling to find the right employees? Do you know people who might need some support right now connecting to employment?
ETHOS Career Management Group Ltd. can help! We offer a number of employment and skills training programs to help jump start our clients’ job search and to lead them to a satisfying career.
Our programs are government funded so there is no cost to our participants (or to employers).
Programs are customized and available remotely to job seekers from across Vancouver Island.
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North Island College is pleased to announce that two of their international students were recipients of two prestigious awards!
Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Medal & President's Award:
My Nguyen, Global Tourism & Hospitality Management Advanced Diploma, Sustainable Tourism
President’s Community Engagement Award:
Nitesh Chaudhary, Tourism & Hospitality Management Diploma - Hospitality
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Grant Applications For Student Volunteers Now Available
Students who are volunteering to help their communities through the pandemic may now apply for grants under the previously-announced Canada Student Service Grant program. Students can also apply to volunteer using the ‘I Want to Help’ platform. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000.
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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:
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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.
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