COVID-19 Response Update 17
Plenty of information in the following email for you to review. We continue to press government to provide further supports. We know that this is not going to get easier anytime soon.

We are working on the finishing touches of a web page that will provide you all of the information that you need to navigate this situation. We are also planning to reduce the number of emails coming out from us so we can focus on keeping this web page updated.

In the coming weeks we are going to host more online meetings to help you understand the supports available and we will also be hosting a business owners support network which will be online meeting where we can simply talk, bounce ideas of each other and find support for the challenges we are facing.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you need some support, we are here to assist you.
Positive Changes To Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program, Interest-Free Loans Available April 9 

Yesterday, we learned of several important changes to the wage subsidy program that will help more businesses access funding: 
  • A business will now be able to compare its revenue to the same month last year OR an average of January and February 2020. This will help new and growing firms who may not have qualified based on a comparison to the same month in 2019. 
  • A business needs only to demonstrate a 15% reduction in gross revenues for March. A 30% reduction will still be required to receive the subsidy in April and May. 
  • The program will now allow businesses to use either accrual or cash accounting methods. 
  • Employer paid Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and Quebec Parental Insurance Plan premiums will be reimbursed. 
  • Registered charities and not-for-profit organizations are eligible employers to apply for the wage subsidy. They also have the choice of whether or not to include government funding in their revenue calculations.
  • Businesses can start applying for interest-free loans on April 9. Applications are available through local financial institutions. Check with your current bank to get the process underway, note that most financial institutions are are taking applications for this program only online.

While these are positive changes, the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, working with the Canadian Chamber continues to focus on the importance of getting funds to businesses in days, not weeks, in addition to other supports and improvements to current programs.



The Business Of Business
In the first edition of The Business of Business, the Hon. Perrin Beatty, our President and CEO, has a conversation with the Hon. Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, on the effects of COVID-19 on SMEs and what resources are available to help them prepare, persevere and, ultimately, prosper through this pandemic. 
Reservists Ready Campaign
Now more than ever, reservists are an important segment of our workforce. We are pleased to collaborate with Canada Company to make you aware of its Reservists Ready Campaign. 

As announced by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, there is a good chance that our Reserve Force members will have to play a key role in Canada’s national response to the COVID-19 emergency. Canada Company, therefore, invites you to pledge to immediately make all your reservist employees available should they be required for full-time service. Organizations that pledge are encouraged to contact Canada Company at  info@canadacompany.ca  so it can make sure to include your commitment when it shares the results of this campaign with the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff.

FAQ For Business
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has prepared an FAQ, which we update daily, with answers to the questions our members are asking us about the government supports for business. Access it  here .
Province of Nova Scotia - Department of Business

Small Business Impact Grant Guidelines
Small businesses, non-profits, or charities ordered to close or substantively curtail their operations under the COVID-19 public health order may be eligible for the Small Business Impact Grant.

The one-time grant is equal to 15% of sales revenue from either April 2019 or February 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000 per business. You can choose which month will be used to calculate the grant amount.

You can use the grant for anything your business, non-profit or charity needs. The grant is stackable and can be used in combination with the Small Business Rental Deferral Guarantee Program and other provincial and federal Covid-19 programs to support small businesses.

Applications are expected to open no later than April 10.
Deadline to apply will be April 25.

If you need assistance in completing the application, we would suggest reaching out to your accountant or feel free to reach out to us and we will help you the best we can.


WORKER EMERGENCY BRIDGE FUND
We are expecting more information on this program soon.

We also expect further supports to be announced next week.

EMPLOYER ASSESSMENT TOOL
The Employer Assessment tool has proved to be a popular resource for businesses looking to find out if they are complying with the Public Health order. Since it was posted online on March 30, it has been visited 8,316 times, with 7,116, or 86.73% of respondents completing the assessment. 
Respondents included 2,618 businesses exempt from the Public Health order, 2,491 businesses who are permitted to operate if they are able to practice the social distancing measures, 769 employers who chose “other”, 390 from the food service industry, 279 from regulated health professions, 202 from unregulated health professions.
Employer Assessment Tool is located here:  https://covid19-employer-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
Prime Minister Announces Changes to Canada Summer Jobs Programs

In today’s press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed new funding to support creation of 70,000 summer jobs in communities across the country. In a  press release , the government committed to increase the summer job wage subsidy (including part-time positions) from 50% to 100% of the provincial minimum wage for business and non-profit organizations. The deadline for applications has been reopened.

 
Essential Links for Federal Business Relief Programs

Here is the list of essential links to the Government of Canada’s programs to help those facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak that you can share with your members or post to your website.













Also of interest,  Bank of Canada Actions  to support the economy and financial system.
 

Other Federal Updates

  • Approximately 966,000 Canadians applied for the CERB on first day of launch, April 6.

  • Prime Minister Trudeau has said the government is looking at ways to expand the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to others, including those working reduced hours and struggling businesses.

  • Almost 5,000 Canadian companies have stepped forward to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Canada is working with 4 Canadian companies to produce vital, made-in-Canada protective gear and medical equipment to respond to the outbreak (e.g., 30,000 ventilators).

  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) said that the equivalent of 195 million jobs are forecasted to be lost as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

  • Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer says wearing a non-medical mask, even if you have no symptoms, can reduce the chance of you passing on the virus or having your droplets landing on surfaces. However, she also stated that wearing a mask will not protect you from COVID-19.
Symplicity Designs is a Halifax/Moncton based business consulting group and they are providing webinars on a daily basis for free to help you figure out how to navigate you way to the other side of this crisis. We highly suggest checking out their webinars.


In addition to this, we are utilizing our partnerships with our members, other Chambers and organizations in the region who have a number of webinars happening as well.




Canadian Survey On Business Conditions

We've partnered up with Statistics Canada to launch the  Canadian Survey on Business Conditions . This comprehensive survey will measure the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian businesses and help the Government of Canada devise strategies and mechanisms to foster the survival and continuity of businesses in Canada.

The survey will examine:
  • Changes that businesses have made to adapt to the ongoing situation.
  • Challenges businesses continue to face and challenges they expect to face as the recovery begins.
  • Trends within the business community.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook to see what we are doing to support our Doctors and Health Care Professionals with our H is for Hero campaign. Be sure to add the frame to your profile picture to show your support.

We have posters that you can hang up in your business, email Rebecca to get yours at rebecca@yarmouthchamberofcommerce.com
Brent Reid  | Commercial Account Manager
A brand of Parkland Fuel Corporation
245 Pleasant St. Yarmouth N.S. B5A 4K3
Cell – 902-844-2675 / Fax – 902-538-1285
Links

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus  .

Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at:  https://811.novascotia.ca/

Government of Canada:  https://canada.ca/coronavirus
 
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices


 
Department of Finance: Details on Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy/Ministère des Finances : Détails sur la subvention salariale d’urgence
 
Canada Emergency Response Benefit / Prestation canadienne d’urgence

Canada Revenue Agency – Income tax filing and payment dates: CRA and COVID-19 / Agence du revenu du Canada – Dates de production et de paiement : l'Agence et la COVID-19:
 
Canada Self-Assessment Tool and App / Outil et application d'autoévaluation du Canada

Health Canada—COVID-19 / Santé Canada—COVID-19
 
CBSA information line/Service téléphonique de l’ASFC
The Border Information Service (BIS) is an automated telephone service that provides general information in English or French on CBSA programs, services and initiatives. Officers are available 24 hours per day 7 days per week.  Toll-free: 1-800-461-9999  
Le Service d'information sur la frontière (SIF) est un service téléphonique automatisé qui offre des renseignements généraux sur les programmes, les services et les initiatives de l'ASFC. Les agents sont disponibles 7 jours sur 7, 24 heures par jour.  Sans frais : 1-800-461-9999
 
COVID-19: Statement from the FCAC Commissioner / COVID-19 : déclaration de la commissaire de l'ACFC

External Links:
 
Food & Consumer Products of Canada – COVID-19 Operations Best Practices for Industry:
 
Canada’s Premiers—Provinces and territories: Taking action on COVID-19

Key Information Tools / Outils: 
 
Small Business BC
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) : https://smallbusinessbc.ca/article/resources-for-small-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19/
 
BC Economic Development Association: #COVID19 Resources for BC Businesses
 
City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Office (EDO): COVID-19 Response
 
Canadian Chamber of Commerce: Pandemic Preparedness
 
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses: Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19
 
Business Credit Availability Program/ Programme de credit pour les entreprises
 
Resources for Canadian businesses: COVID-19 / Ressources pour les enterprises Canadiennes: COVID-19

Call to Action: Canadian manufacturers needed to help combat COVID-19 / Appel fournisseurs canadiens: Aidez a combattre la COVID-19
 
Prime Minister announces more support for workers and businesses through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Le premier ministre annonce un soutien supplémentaire aux travailleurs et aux entreprises grâce au Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
 
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
 
Stay Connected
A dedicated COVID-19 tile has been added to the Canada Business App, providing links to government announcements and information for businesses. More information about the App can be found at www.canada.ca/business-app  .
ISED’s social media team remains available to support and to amplify regional content as appropriate. They can be contacted at  ic.scmssocialmedia-mediassociauxscsm.ic@canada.ca
 
COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates:
 
Business Supports
 
Department of Finance - Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses / Plan d'intervention économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Resources for Canadian businesses / Maladie à coronavirus (COVID-19) : Ressources pour les entreprises canadiennes
 
Work-Sharing Program - Temporary special measures / Programme de travail partagé - Mesures spéciales temporaires:
Canada Revenue Agency - Helping Canadians with the economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic / l’Agence du revenu du Canada - Aider les Canadiens avec l'impact économique de la pandémie de COVID-19
 
What Canada’s Regional Development Agencies are doing to help business during the COVID-19 pandemic/ Ce que font les agences de développement régional (ADR) du Canada pour aider les entreprises pendant la pandémie de COVID-19: 
English :  HTML  -  PDF version
French:  HTML  -  Version PDF
 
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada

Export Development Canada COVID-19:
 
Business Development Bank of Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus  :

Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Pandemic Preparedness for Business
 
World Health Organization COVID-19 - Business and Employees
 
Council of Canadian Innovators – COVID-19 Slack Channel (you must create an account)
 
Facebook
English: Business Resource Hub:  https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource
 
Canadian Federation of Independent Business - keeping you and your employees safe
 
Uber Eats

Innovative Medicines Canada
 
Innovative Medicines Canada: Statement on Canada’s Drug Supply / Déclaration portant sur l’approvisionnement en médicaments

Mastercard Canada—Understanding Intercharge / Comprendre l’interchange
EN :  https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/about-mastercard/what-we-do/interchange.html                            

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