Our team and board at the Chamber know collaboration and connection are more important than ever right now, and we are committed to keeping you up to date on what’s happening nationally (Canadian Chamber), provincially (BC Chamber) and locally through our municipal leaders. The Chamber, working with our colleagues, the Downtown Courtenay BIA, the Comox BIA, the Cumberland Economic Development and the Economic Development Society, to assist in bringing current resources to our business community.
Speaking of collaboration, the Comox Valley Chamber has launched (thanks Nanaimo Chamber) a Stay Strong Comox Valley initiative and have partnered with 97.3 the Eagle, the Comox Valley Record, 98.9 the Jet FM and VIEA to show support to our entire community at this time. We will have regular local updates on the radio stations, in the newspaper and of course, online! Stay tuned for more information as we roll the program out! Many thanks to our partners for their quick response!
We know it’s
NOT business as usual
and we are touched by the innovative and creative ways our business community is rallying together. From karma drops organized by Edible Island to businesses purchasing gift cards for a “not so rainy” day in the (I hope) near future, to volunteerism popping up more and more as we work to help others, reminding us that
we are in this together
.
Now, more than ever, the Chamber is here to be your voice, to represent local business, to assist business owners in sustaining their business and to create a robust plan for recovery. Business hasn’t stopped and we want to assure you, your Chamber hasn’t either.
Resources on our website for business include:
•
Sign up for the newsletter
to keep you up to date on current information being released (daily, in some instances) by the federal and provincial governments
• Take part in our weekly Zoom calls on Thursday mornings from 10:30 – 11:30, you can
register for these calls here
. Zoom calls are focused on hearing you and providing answers to questions that are keeping you awake at night - income tax, GST, wages and grants available for business.
And… we have the
BC MindReader platform
which reports on the state of businesses in the province as well as regionally. Details below.
We’re here for you, our business community!
Email us
or call us at 250-334-3234.
#StayStrong
ComoxValley
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We know that running a business comes with a lot of fixed costs – especially your monthly business rent – and we want to know how we can help support your business.
We’re still listening, and still reporting back to the government.
Tell us about your fixed costs and we'll share your feedback with the government to enhance support through the COVID-19 crisis.
~3 minutes to complete the BC MindReader Survey.
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
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The Prime Minister announced a new program that would cover 75% of wages for eligible businesses. This new program
does not replace
the previous program already in place, which covers 10% of wages. Applications for the new program are set to open soon and will be available on the CRA website.
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Program details:
- Must have experienced a 30% decline in revenue compared to this time last year.
- Will cover up to three months of wages and will be retroactive to March 15
- Wages covered will be capped at up to $847 per week (or 75 per cent of the first $58.7k of an employee’s salary).
- Program is available to employers of all sizes.
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Those organizations that do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may continue to qualify for the previously announced wage subsidy of 10 per cent of remuneration paid from March 18 to before June 20, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer.
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Temporary Wage Subsidy Program
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The Canadian government has announced several measures for financial assistance to small businesses, including a
Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers
. This three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency.
You can start
reducing remittances
of federal, provincial, or territorial income tax in the first remittance period that includes remuneration paid between March 18, and June 20, 2020.
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The Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The Prime Minister has announced
eligibility criteria today
, for this particular response to the COVID-19 crisis - a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months for:
• workers who must stop working due to COVID-19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.
Individuals can get ready to apply online by setting up your CRA My Account now, and signing up for direct deposit to get your benefit more quickly.
The government has indicated that more information and an application process for the Wage Subsidy Program will be available Monday, April 6. We’ll provide more information when it becomes available.
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Province Announces Relief on Power Bills
The Government of BC and BC Hydro will offer new, targeted bill relief to provide immediate help for the people, small businesses, and industries most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People who have lost their jobs or are unable to work due to COVID-19 shouldn’t have to choose between paying their rent or mortgage and paying their hydro bill,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “These measures will also provide relief to small businesses such as restaurants and retail shops who have had to close during COVID-19, and support them in reopening once the pandemic has passed.”
Residential customers who have lost their jobs or are unable to work as a result of COVID-19, may be eligible for three months of bill credit based on average consumption. This application is expected to open Monday, April 6th.
Small businesses that have been forced to close due to COVID-19, may be eligible to have their businesses' electricity use charges waived for up to three months (April - June). This application is expected to open the week of April 13th.
Major industries, like pulp and paper mills and mines, may have the opportunity to defer 50% of their bill payments for three months.
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Chambers Plan Group Insurance
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Most small businesses can’t afford to have a team of specialists on hand to help deal with unexpected problems that require an expert opinion. Chambers Plan’s Business Assistance Service is designed to fill this gap. Included in every Chambers Plan program at no additional cost, this confidential service provides access to professional accounting, legal and human resource experts who understand the challenges small businesses face.
As a business owner, you also have access to The Healthy Business Bookmark—an online library of curated information and resources on a large number of topics including business essentials, people management and self-management.
Check out the Healthy Business Bookmark through the link on
my-benefits.ca
and call Arete to access telephone support from professional advisors at 1-877-412-7483.
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Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada’s response to COVID-19?
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The Comox Valley Regional District
providing $148,279 in grant-aid to support the homeless and provide food security for marginalized populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Press release here.
Island Health
has job openings for Cooks, Food Service Workers, Food Service Supervisors and Environment Service Workers. Visit their
Career page
for details on applying.
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In response to shortages in hand sanitizer, Wayward Distillery veered their business production and is making their own. Their WHO recommended formula was given for free to First Responders, health care workers and non-profits that were in need. Now, you can place an order for your own through their website.
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Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams
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The Better Business Bureau reminds everyone to remain vigilant to avoid scams related to the virus, use necessary, common sense precautions when traveling, and find reliable sources to stay informed about what to do as the virus spreads. Click the link to view common scams to be aware of.
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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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