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
.
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Province of Nova Scotia - Department of Business
WORKER EMERGENCY BRIDGE FUND AND SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT GRANT
The Department of Business is committed to getting money into the hands of our small businesses and workers as quickly as possible. Dalhousie University has agreed to help us with that. All funds will be dispersed by the end of April.
COVID-19 IN THE WORKPLACE
All positive cases of COVID-19 are reported to Public Health through the lab testing processes. Anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be contacted by Public Health and they will work to determine who their close contacts are. If co-workers are identified as close contacts, Public Health will follow up with those individuals, typically within 24 hours, with instructions to self isolate. All other employees should continue to practice good hand hygiene and use cough and sneeze etiquette. Physical distance of 2 metres, or six feet, must be maintained in the workplace.
There is no requirement for businesses to close if an employee has tested positive.
Businesses that are open must take the following steps to keep employees and customers healthy:
- Maintain a two-metre, or six-foot, distance among employees and customers
- Clean and disinfect workplaces a minimum of twice a day, or as required
- Employees must follow proper hand-washing and other hygiene guidelines
To clean and disinfect workspaces, wash with soapy water first. Then disinfect using household cleaning products, following the directions on the label, or a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Disinfect phones, remotes, computers, and other handheld devices with 70% alcohol or wipes.
PRODUCTIVITY INNOVATION VOUCHER PROGRAM
NSBI is taking applications for the Productivity Innovation Program. The program helps small and medium sized companies access direct assistance to help make their business more productive and innovative.
The program helps businesses find expertise within post-secondary institutions to:
- Improve productivity
- Develop a new product, service, or process; and
- Create growth
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.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS NAVIGATORS
USEFUL RESOURCES
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
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Funding Search Tool updated for COVID-19
Through NSBI’s website, the
Funding Search Tool
now enables businesses to keyword search any funding tools locally and across the country specific to the current COVID challenges to business – just use the keyword COVID-19
Business Support from Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre
In response to COVID-19, Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre is offering
free virtual one-on-one strategy sessions to Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs
. The sessions aim to provide support, insight, and additional resources to help entrepreneurs overcome current challenges.
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Canada Business App
Download the
Canada Business App
, from the Government of Canada, to see how easy it is to navigate government services, get recommendations tailored to your business, set up personalized notifications and find the answers you need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
