Business Impact Assessments a Must Following COVID-19
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Crisis accelerates the inevitable and can quickly remove any impediments to change.
There can be no question that Business Impact Assessments (BIA) will be a necessary pre-condition for economic recovery and growth. It’s one of the primary means of unearthing opportunities and de-risking the potential for negative impacts as we seek to attract and grow private sector investment.
For business, this is standard operating procedure, weighing the balance of outcomes before final investment decisions. In the aftermath of COVID-19, governments at all levels will need to do the same as they set out to repair their ledgers and manage ongoing business participation through policy and regulation.
The last few weeks have provided a sobering glimpse of our world when there is a lack of business activity. We need to set up the conditions for success and encourage more business participation.
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Atlantic Chamber Joins National Network in Calls upon Government for PPE Guidance
Atlantic Chamber has joined with its provincial colleagues and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in a recommendation to Health Canada (in coordination with provincial/territorial health officers) to develop updated guidelines for employers – alongside a public health campaign for consumers – on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other health and safety considerations related to combatting COVID-19.
For many employers and employees, this pandemic was their first experience with using PPE and/or meeting stricter health and safety standards. In the rush to acquire and distribute PPE, many businesses may not have had the time or knowledge to appropriately educate their employees on best practices for use.
We have asked that the Government of Canada help businesses prepare for a re-opening of the economy by:
- Developing education and awareness materials directed at both employers and the general public (e.g. what is appropriate PPE and how to use it, physical distancing best practices, suitable sanitation standards, etc.);
- Encouraging provincial/territorial harmonization of future health and safety expectations to simplify compliance for those firms that operate across the country; and
- Assisting companies to procure the supplies and implement the practices needed to re-open.
Finally, we encourage the government to act on these recommendations as soon as possible. Advanced notice will remove uncertainty and allow businesses the time to develop cost-effective re-opening plans.
What else have we been working on? For more information on all of our recent policy and advocacy initiatives,
click here
.
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The New Atlantic Economy?
From a public health perspective, the Atlantic provinces have fared extremely well during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection rates have been well below national and international averages, due to effective isolation measures enacted by governments. As all of our provinces appear to be moving toward permitting businesses to reopen after more than two months of enforced shutdown, it’s clear that some things about life will be different than they were back in February.
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Data collected by
our corporate partner Narrative Research
in April and May indicates that businesses and customers may not be where we left them prior to the adoption of social distancing. In fact our governments continue to make it clear that substantial adaptations to movement, interaction and business operations may extend many months into the future.
For instance, in an
April survey
, less than 10% of respondents felt that the way we do things will go back to normal. While 20% of respondents indicated a permanent or temporary loss of employment, more than 50% indicated they were now working on-line from home. And consumers have had to significantly adapt their behaviours as well, with a particular emphasis on virtual commercial and social connections. Since businesses of necessity have to go where their customers are, and a
Narrative survey in May
indicates a significant proportion of consumers that have opted for on-line commerce may continue to do so, It’s clear that in addition to adapting their in-person operation to social distancing, an exploration of e-commerce should be high on a list of priorities.
Our collective well-being depends on making sure Atlantic Canadians have incomes and jobs. The challenge will be to move as quickly as we can to creating safe workplaces that instill confidence amongst clients and provide virtual options to the significant number of consumers who have permanently altered their behaviours to favour internet goods and services.
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Navigating COVID-19: Regional Realities
The past two months have essentially been lost in favour of simply coping with the social, health and economic impacts of the COVID pandemic. Chambers of Commerce across the region have been key players in the effort to minimize the disruption and help business owners survive and protect the businesses that provide jobs across the economy.
All Atlantic Canadians have been immersed in monitoring the daily government announcements of programs to protect individual health and provide many with income security to pay for food and accommodations. Now our attention is focussed on the fact that three of the four provincial government has published guidelines for the lifting of public health restrictions and the re-opening of non-essential businesses.
In some ways governments have been clear in how this will happen and in some ways less so. It is clear in all provinces that all businesses will need to create operational plans that accommodate the continuing need for social distancing. To accomplish this, some provinces (e.g., PEI) have published a template for businesses, while in some provinces this information is forthcoming. The reality is the nature operational plans will be a function of the business in question and individual businesses and industry associations are best suited to recommend appropriate measures to minimize virus transmission and ensure profitable operations.
Many resources are already available such as the general
reopening guide
produced by chambers of commerce in New Brunswick, the PEI Government COVID Operational Plan
template
, pandemic industry sector
Tip Sheets
from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, and several guides prepared by industry associations.
As there does not appear to be a requirement to register operational plans with government, it is in the best interests of individual businesses to acquaint themselves with the broad categories of public health requirements, including regulations and required protective equipment and begin to develop a plan that best suits their unique circumstances.
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Chambers in Making News in Support of Business
Throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, our entire network has been on the frontlines supporting businesses in their communities, from fielding questions to helping make sense of new measures to pressing for additional support.
You can check out what they’ve been doing in communities across Atlantic Canada in our
News from the Network
.
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Your Insight Can Shape Better Policy Outcomes
It has never been more important for your voice to be heard, as elected officials and all levels of governments are seeking insight from Atlantic Chamber and our network. As we work to recover, rebuild having ongoing conversations so we are opening up our insight community to non-members entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders, management teams, professionals, consultants and employees—if you work in business in Atlantic Canada, we want to hear your impressions on a range of business related topics and polices.
Join the Atlantic Insight community and help shape better outcomes for business.
Enrol here
to participate in Atlantic IMPRESSIONS.
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COVID-19 Support, Programs, Training & Community Open for Business Campaigns
Throughout March, April and May, the Atlantic Chamber has been curating COVID-
19 support and information from government, chambers, communities, and other agencies. These pages are updated daily with new information and programming as it becomes available. Be sure to bookmark it and check regularly:
https://www.atlanticchamber.ca/covid-19-resources
The Chambers have been on the frontlines of business support throughout COVID-19 and will continue to support businesses in their community after as we look to recover and rebuild.
Not a member?
Join your local chamber and access this valuable resource and network of support today.
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Welcome to ACC’s Newest Corporate Partner
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The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome our new corporate partner, Cooke Aquaculture—a true Atlantic Canadian success story.
A 2020 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, it is Cooke’s 15th consecutive year receiving the prestigious award as the company marks its 35
th
anniversary. Cooke Aquaculture Inc. is a vertically integrated family company based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, with salmon farming operations in Atlantic Canada, the United States, Chile and Scotland as well as seabass and seabream farming operations in Spain. Learn more about Cooke Aquaculture, visit:
www.cookeseafood.com/
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Helping the Bottom Line & Getting Online
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We know most businesses are facing an economic shock due to the shutdown imposed by COVID-19 and livelihoods are at stake. We also know that other businesses are experiencing an unparalleled upswing in business for the same reason. Respectfully, we want make businesses aware of two programs we have available if you need them.
A Discount Shipping Program with one shipping website with one-stop comparison of Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar and DHL discounted rates –
savings up to 70%
! Enrol with your
local community Chamber
and start saving today.
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Let First Data take your business online in a few easy steps
Ecwid
is now integrated to both Clover and Bambora and
FREE for 90 days
. If a business is already using Clover from First Data, they can download Ecwid’s app called “Sell Online” and start selling online immediately. If the merchant isn’t already using Clover and doesn’t have a need for a card present solution, we recommend using Bambora.
As a special promotion, First Data Canada merchants can get the
first 3 months of any paid monthly plan of Ecwid for free
.
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Procurement Opportunities: Visit ACC’s Atlantic Notice Board
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Your source for Government and other agency procurement opportunities, agency information, services, programs and opportunities for businesses in the region. Find your next opportunity, visit the
Atlantic Notice Board
regularly.
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Advertise Your Business or Service: ACC’s MarketPlace
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Looking for a way to promote your business throughout Atlantic Canada cost-effectively. Visit The Market Place, our Business-2-Member (B2M) site that provides you with #AllAccess to unique programs and services from companies that can help you do business in the region.
Our goal is to help drive awareness, create a dialogue within communities, and communicate value-added programs and issues to our members in Atlantic Canada. Visit
The Market Place
to see our promotional pricing and social media packages.
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About ACCion News
ACCion News is the policy and membership newsletter of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. Published monthly except July, content
submissions
are always welcome.
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