City Seeks Feedback on Virtual Public Engagement
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The City of St. John’s is seeking feedback on how best to continue with public engagement while being respectful of physical distancing due to COVID-19. It is becoming clear that working virtually and maintaining physical distancing is going to be the new normal for a while. With that in mind, the City wants to consider how best to continue with public engagement virtually, in a way that respects our public engagement principles.
The City is asking residents to
sign up
on
engagestjohns.ca
and complete a
survey
on public engagement opportunities by April 25, 2020.
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City of St. John’s continues to invest in sustainable infrastructure during COVID-19
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The City of St. John’s is moving forward with investment of various capital works projects in the City, while ensuring safe work practices and physical distancing measures are met. Residents will continue to see City crews and contractors working on critical infrastructure and maintenance work ranging from road works to infrastructure repairs, during the 2020 construction season.
Phase 3 of the Water Street Construction Project between Ayre’s Cove and Clift’s Baird’s Cove is now underway - to be completed at the end of June 2020. Other capital works projects moving forward include:
- Extension of Hebron Way to Major's Path to reduce traffic congestion on Torbay Road;
- Upgrades to Bay Bulls Road from Old Bay Bulls Rd to Long Beach Street;
- Phase two - upgrade of the Kenmount Road storm sewer;
- Improvements to the Bay Bulls Big Pond water treatment facility, including installation of a new ultraviolet system.
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Support Local - Shop Right Here!
There has never been a more important time to support local. Below are some helpful resources which makes easier to do just that - providing a listing of businesses operating in St. John’s metro, offering contactless services, products and promotions - follow along with:
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Government of Canada - Covid-19 Support Program Updates:
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Flexibility for employers to access the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
In response to concerns noted by businesses - businesses will no longer be restricted to applying for this wage subsidy only up until June 6. The legislation adopted provides the government with the ability to extend the program until Sept. 30, 2020, and the ability to change the Required Revenue Reduction criteria and subsidy amount during any such extended term.
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Businesses will continue to remain eligible to receive the subsidy for a maximum of 12 weeks only, but the added flexibility will allow businesses to use the program in a manner that works best for their recovery timeline.
Additional information on the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy can be found at the following links on the Department of Finance's website:
For more information about Government of Canada Programs phone the dedicated hotline: Canada Business 1-888-576-4444.
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Canada Emergency Business Accounts (CEBA)
The eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) have been expanded. Businesses that spent between $20,000 and $1.5 million dollars on total payroll in 2019 are now eligible for interest-free loans of up to $40,000.
The Canada Emergency Business Accounts allow the banks to offer a loan of up to $40,000 backed by the Federal Government with no interest and up to $10,000 forgivable grant when fully repaid by December 2022. While more debt isn’t the answer for every business owner, thousands of small firms have applied for this much needed lifeline. Below is some helpful information from:
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Coming Soon - Commercial Rent Assistance Program
The Federal Government has committed to create a Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. The aim of the program will be to provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who in turn lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April (retroactive), May, and June.
Implementation of the program requires partnership between the provincial and territorial governments, which are responsible for property owner-tenant relationships. The Federal Government is working with the provinces and territories to increase rent support for businesses that are most impacted by the pandemic and more details will be made available soon.
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National Research Council – IRAP Innovation Assistance Program:
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Further business support measures announced by the Federal Government include a $250 million investment for the technology sector through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).
Starting April 22nd, small-medium sized businesses unable to secure financing under the Canada Employment Sage Subsidy and Business Credit Availability Program can apply for financial assistance.
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FAQ's on Immigration Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador
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The below FAQ have been prepared by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to assist anyone interested in learning more about immigration changes that affect newcomers and employers in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as people immigrating to the Province.
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Organizations and citizens of St. John’s ‘leap into innovation’ to fight Covid-19
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PolyUnity set to produce 4000 PPE face shields a week –
A Newfoundland and Labrador startup, which specializes in 3D body parts to be used for physicians and students to practice procedures on, is now delivering essential PPE for the province’s front-line workers.
As the COVID-19 pandemic reality began to unfold, PolyUnity partnered with Taskforce NL — a group of business leaders volunteering their expertise in logistics and manufacturing to source more PPE for the province. This week, the first PolyUnity shield was used for surgery in St. John’s –
Read more.
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Local Granville Biomedical answers the call to produce PPE for Canada -
For Christine Goudie, co-founder and CEO of Granville Biomedical, answering that call was a “no-brainer.” Granville Biomedical, designs and manufactures women’s health simulation models for surgical training. Their female anatomical models and procedural task trainers are used by healthcare educators around the world. The team quickly got to work coming up with ideas –
Read more.
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Dynamic Air Shelters builds emergency hospitals for Covid-19 -
Dynamic Air Shelters provides a range of adaptable emergency response shelters. From the medical to petrochemical sectors, these shelters provide safe quarantine spaces and testing facilities to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
When Dynamic Air Shelters started 16 years ago, it made all types of inflatable shelters. About a decade ago, the company changed its focus to the oil and gas industry. But now it’s going back to its roots, building emergency hospital and quarantine shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more.
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NL Tech companies launch Closed Door, Open Heart campaign -
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, several tech companies in Newfoundland and Labrador have joined forces and raised more than $200,000 to launch the Closed Door, Open Heart initiative. The campaign encourages local tech businesses who are well positioned to continue operations remotely to divert funds to charities that otherwise would have been spent on travel and entertainment. Individuals are encouraged to decorate their doors and post a picture to social media with the hashtag
#closeddooropenheart. Follow @CDOpenHeart on Twitter to learn more.
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Funding for students in need -
As the effects of the COVID-19 crisis continue to ripple across the globe, students at Memorial University are experiencing many of the same emergencies as other global citizens. Many students are in sudden need of emergency funding. The Undergraduate Student Emergency Fund and the SGS Graduate Student Emergency Fund are available to both undergraduate and graduate students on any of Memorial’s campuses.
Visit COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund to learn more and donate.
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Grass roots campaign developed to help neighbours in need during Covid-19 –
a grass roots effort to help neighbours connect and support one another, with simple acts of kindness and support during a difficult time. This can mean the world of difference for those neighbours that could use a helping hand during the pandemic –
Read more.
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NL family launches a contactless food bank delivery service -
Without leaving their bubble of physical distancing, Mehnaz Tabassum and her family are working on a project that's touching dozens of people in St. John's who need food. The family already had a food-related
page on Facebook called NL Eats
. The page described itself as a place where "foodies" could share information and post reviews about spots around town. Now it's the landing page for Project #FoodForThoughtNL — a community-driven food bank that delivers food to anyone who needs it.
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Share your stories of innovation with Invest in Canada @invest_canada
(Twitter)
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Do you know of a business or organization that is helping in the fight against Covid-19?
Have you heard of a business that is adapting to provide pandemic solutions? – Share these stories of swift ingenuity with Canada and the world &
#CanadaResilient
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Coping with COVID-19: Conversation with Canada’s Superclusters –
Research Money
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COVID-19 the Unfolding Economic Impacts in Atlantic Canada –
APEC
Business Insurance Considerations, the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses –
KPMG
Canada Export: COVID 19: Get the financing and support your business needs –
EDC
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If you're new to working from home, it’s important to ensure your workspace is safe and comfortable. Check out these helpful resources and services to proper ergonomics:
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Further Support & Resources from the Federal, Provincial (NL) & Municipal Government(s) & Industry Associations
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Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Regional Municipalities
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A
PEC -
Atlantic Provinces Economic Council -
Click here
BOT
- St. John’s Board of Trade -
CBA -
Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce -
Click here
MPCC
- Mount Pearl Chamber of Commerce -
Click here
CFIB
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business -
Click here
PLA
- Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador -
Click here
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NOIA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Industry Association -
Click here
NATI
- Newfoundland Association of Technology & Innovation -
Click here
NEIA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association -
Click here
NLCA
- Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association -
Click here
HNL
- Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador -
Click here
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Department of Community Services | Economic Development, Culture and Partnerships
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