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Join us, along with our colleagues at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, via Zoom for a free Q&A webinar tomorrow with Minister Joly. Spots will fill up quickly!

According to a MCC membership survey conducted by Leger Marketing between March 20 to 25 , half of Manitoba business leaders say they are already dealing with financial impact amid COVID-19, and three in 10 fear it may put them out of business.


UPDATE - PROVINCE OF MANITOBA
The following information is current as of Wednesday, April 1:

1) NEW Public health officials advise the number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba is at 127, and Dr. Roussin says that we are now showing early signs of community transmission.

2) NEW Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen is issuing an order to enable the registrar of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba to waive or modify registration requirements for former registered nurses, allowing them to apply for temporary registration during the pandemic on an expedited basis. Former registrants seeking information on temporary registration requirements should visit https://www.crnm.mb.ca/about/covid-19 . In addition, application and registration fees will be waived for former registrants applying for temporary registration via this process.
3) NEW Effective midnight last night, a new public health order is in effect:
  • limiting public gatherings to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises
  • restricting the activities of non-critical businesses. To access info about this order and how it affects your business, click here.

4) NEW Yesterday, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced an indefinite extension to the school closures for all Manitoba K to 12 schools, suspending classes for the remainder of the school year unless public health officials advise they may resume. For details: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/infomanitobans/eduministerletter.html

5) NEW As Manitoba’s health system continues with preparations to ensure the province is prepared to meet the needs of patients and to ensure appropriate protection from COVID-19 is available to health-care workers, donations of the following supplies are now welcome:
  • N95 respirators of various models and sizes, both hospital and industrial grade;
  • surgical/procedure masks;
  • gloves;
  • disposable gowns;
  • disinfectants and cleaners.

Supplies must be in original packaging, clean and in useable condition. Expired supplies are not able to be accepted. For more information: https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/supply-donations/  or call (toll-free) 1-833-408-0101.

6) Public health officials continue advising all Manitobans, including health-care providers, to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel (international/ within Canada.) There shouldn't be any recreational, tourist, or non-essential personal travel. Anyone who returns from travel, either international or domestic, should self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days following their return. If symptoms develop during 14-day self-isolation or self-monitoring period, Manitobans should contact Health Links-Info Sante to determine if testing for COVID-19 should be considered.

7) Information about flights where a person with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 had symptoms at the time of travel is updated as information becomes available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/flights.html

8) Sixteen community testing sites are now open throughout the province including seven drive-through locations. A referral to these sites is needed and they are not walk-in clinics. Information about sites is available at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/locations.htm

To access all Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Active Living COVID-19 bulletins:   https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html
UPDATE - TRAINING TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOU

Very special thanks to all our partners and members who have come forward with excellent content and tools to share - FREE and live by webinar. Here are just some of the courses and trainings available:

Robertson College: In this free 8-hour self-guided course, remote workers will learn how to work with and manage remote teams, maintain productivity and cultivate a focused mindset. We’ve also added a unit to help parents manage their responsibilities so the whole family can stay productive.

World Trade Centre Winnipeg

Sandler Training : To register for a training session ideal for leaders, CEOs, business owners: http://ask.sandler.com/webinar
  • How to Succeed at Leading in Uncertainty, Thursday, April 2 @ 2:30-3:30PM
  • How to Succeed in Uncertainty, Thursday, April 7 @ 2:30-3:30 PM
Supporting local businesses now means helping secure their future in your community. If you're a small business located anywhere in Manitoba, list yourself for FREE on this platform!

Buylocal.ly is a free directory to help match shoppers with local restaurants, shops and services that are open, and which enables businesses to share info about how they're accommodating current conditions, (ie, reduced hours, delivery and curbside pick-up options, etc).

IMPORTANT FEDERAL UPDATES FOR BUSINESS
 
1) NEW! The Canada Revenue Agency has extended some tax filing and payment deadlines (for individuals, the self-employed, corporations, charities), including deferring GST payment/remittances until the end of June 2020. For info on changes to Canadian taxes and benefits: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update.html

2) The Government of Canada announced last week that they are i ncreasing the wage subsidy for business to 75% . Details such as eligibility and application process are still forthcoming, but this is exactly what the Chamber network has advocated.

3) The federal government is extending the maximum duration of the Work-Sharing program from 38 to 76 weeks. To view work-sharing program information, click here .

4) Innovation Canada's Plan to Mobilize Industry to Fight COVID-19 is seeking manufacturers and producers who are able to deliver on some of our healthcare system's most crucial needs at this time. If your business may be able to pivot and shift production to other essential goods, this may be an opportunity to continue delivering value.
Chuck Davidson, President & CEO
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
t: 204-948-0107
e: cdavidson@mbchamber.mb.ca