IN THIS ISSUE...
- Updates from Ladysmith & BC Chamber
- Updates from Federal, Provincial & Local Governments
- Business Resources COVID-19
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LADYSMITH CHAMBER AND BC CHAMBER
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From Your Chamber
We know this is a very unsettling time for everyone, not just here in Ladysmith, but around the globe. Our local, provincial and federal leaders are working around the clock to first of all - "flatten" the COVID-19 curve and second of all - to ensure our economy can weather this unprecedented event.
Please do what you can to support your local businesses by taking advantage of their new delivery methods and in some cases e-commerce.
All upcoming events are postponed until further notice.
As events unfold daily and even hourly, our small but dedicated team is working hard to support and advocate for the Ladysmith Business Community. We have created a page on our website to assist our Members looking for current information
Our
Facebook Page will feature businesses who are adapting to online platforms or delivery services. To keep us informed, create a detailed post about your adapted services and be sure to tag us
@ladysmithcofc before sharing the post to your Business Page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
In following the Minister of Health recommendation to practice Social Distancing and to do our part to flatten the curve and keep our team safe, we are primarily working from home.
If you need to contact us by telephone, you can call 250-245.2112 (please try, where possible, to restrict your calls to regular business hours).
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BC Government Listens
to Urgent Business
Feedback
Dear Ladysmith Chamber Member.
We heard you.
As you may know, the BC Government announced a
COVID-19 Action Plan, which includes $5 billion allocated for programs that support businesses, workers, and economic recovery.
This announcement was directly informed by the
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey conducted by our BC chamber network and partners, which ran from March 13-18.
Businesses said they need immediate relief and flexibility on tax remittance, specifically the EHT and PST.
READ MORE...
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FEDERAL / PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
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CANADA'S COVID-19 ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN -
KEY POIN
TS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS
FROM PALMER LESLIE PROFFESSIONAL CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Since the beginning of March, restrictions and measures related to COVID-19 have rapidly escalated. While the first stages focused on public health and safety, in very
short order, businesses and personal finances began to be affected. It is clear that
these challenges will become worse before they get better. In an effort to combat
these effects, the Government of Canada released a series of financial measures in
mid-March.
This document summarizes selected government comments up to March 18, 2020.
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Province of BC's COVID-19 Action Plan: B.C.'s first steps to support people, businesses
British Columbians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and direct funding for people, businesses and services.
"The COVID-19 pandemic challenges our health, our economy and our way of life. People and businesses urgently need support," said Premier John Horgan. "Our action plan focuses on services to protect people's health and safety, gives immediate relief to people and businesses, and plans for B.C.'s economic recovery over the long term."
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CVRD Update
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is actively monitoring the status of COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and will take appropriate precautions as necessary.
Click Here for information and current news releases including
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Town of Ladysmith Covid-19 Updates
Ladysmith working closely with the Cowichan Region to coordinate Covid-19 preparedness and response
- Council Meetings and Public Hearing Cancellations
- The Town of Ladysmith has made the difficult but necessary decision to close all local playgrounds in our parks as we continue to follow the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer to promote safe social distancing in our community.
- Physical distancing means making changes in your everyday routines in order to minimize close contact with others. Avoid gathering in groups and keep two metres apart, roughly the length of two shopping carts, when outside of your home. It's up to each and every one of us to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Find the latest info at www.ladysmith.ca/covid-19
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COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information
The Province of British Columbia
has declared a state of emergency to support response to COVID-19
. The priority is to protect British Columbians and ensure our province is best positioned to effectively respond to the pandemic.
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BUSINESS RESOURCES
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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Small Business BC
DIGITAL MEET-UP
The next digital Meet-UP is Friday, March 27, 2020.
SUPPLYING ESSENTIAL GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA (COVID-19)
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Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Canada's response to COVID-19?
This seminar will cover what products may be suitable, and how you can register to supply the federal government in a national effort against COVID-19. Join a representative from The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME), Public Services and Procurement Canada to understand how you can help Canada combat the pandemic.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY & COVID-19 CHECKLIST: Key Considerations for Smal Business in BC. Business How to's and Checklist
Read More
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DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST
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British Columbia Economic Development Association
BCEDA #COVID19 Resources for BC Businesses Guide
Recent updates from BCEDA include:
All of these updates are now located in one document. This shareable, live guide is being continually updated with the most relevant information, tools and resources for the BC business community.
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Message from Destination BC
an behalf of all VC's
Explore BC....later
Like you, we are passionate about exploring British Columbia, but now is not the time to travel. Please stay home and follow the advice of health authorities to keep yourself and others safe. Do your part now, so we can all explore BC again later. In the meantime, find information and future travel inspiration here:
https://www.hellobc.com/what-you-need-to-know.
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How to find out if your business qualifies for the COVID-19 wage subsidy
Business owners must calculate the wage subsidy their company is entitled to, then reduce how much they remit in payroll deductions to the CRA accordingly.
There is new information available to business owners on the federal government's proposed temporary wage subsidy that is part of the
economic response plan to counter Canadians' financial hardships due to COVID-19.
Read More...
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BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19
Find information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.
Read More...
This self-assessment tool, developed with the BC Ministry of Health, will help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.
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Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19
From Business Development Bank
The health and
well-being
of entrepreneurs, clients and
non-clients
as well as of our partners is our top priority. BDC stands ready to support companies through to a more stable period.
Effective March 18, 2020, new relief measures for qualified businesses include:
- Working capital loans of up to $2 million with flexible repayment terms such as principal postponements for qualifying businesses;
- Flexible repayment terms, such as postponement of principal payments for up to 6 months, for existing BDC clients with total BDC loan commitment of $1 million or less;
- Reduced rates on new eligible loans;
- Additional details regarding Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) measures, including industry specific support, to be announced in the coming days. Read More...
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Facebook Small Business Grants Program
We know that your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19. We've heard that a little financial support can go a long way, so we are offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time.
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. We'll share more details as they become available.
Read More...
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THRIVINGLOCALLY offering free eCommerce
With the understanding that many local businesses have been forced to shut their doors, ThrivingLocally has come up with a new campaign to help. The organization is offering interested businesses their own eCommerce webstore at no cost!
This service is available to any small business, anywhere in Canada. ThrivingLocally has made eCommerce easy for businesses by getting stores up in running in days, not weeks or months. For more information, visit their website or send them an email. Read More...
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Working From Home? How to Use Zoom
- Free Video Conferencing & Virtual Meetings
Video conferencing, virtual meetings, virtual classrooms are on the rise and Zoom is a desktop-based app that makes having virtual meetings a lot easier. Click Here for Video Instructions
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Tips for operating your business remotely
Here are some tips to keep in mind if your business is temporarily operating from home during the COVID19 pandemic.
1. Do your morning routine, get dressed & write a to-do list
2. Take breaks! Go for a walk & leave your computer
3. Set boundaries - dedicate 1 spot in the house for work only & decide on "work hours"
4. Call forwarding your Business Phone to you cell phone.
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