Thank-you to Our Newsletter Sponsor, Excel Career College, for helping make this newsletter edition possible.
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Today is Thursday, not blursday for those who were wondering –
Your Chamber has been busy this past week, we launched a
#StayStrongComoxValley
campaign last Thursday.
We have created a
staystrong@comoxvalleychamer.com
email for capturing your good news stories, your insights and your requests. We have partnered with 97.3 the Eagle, the Comox Valley Record and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. The Stay Strong Comox Valley
artwork and messaging is available
to all Comox Valley businesses for distribution and sharing. We invite you to use the brand, celebrate our great Valley and its fearless and adaptable business community. Share the love <3
#
StayStrongComoxValley
Advocacy has very much been front and centre in our day to day. We have written a letter to the Minister of Finance on behalf of business to address 8 actions that would positively affect the provincial business community. In order not to bombard you with more info (anyone see the drinking out of a fire hose cartoon lately?) we will post the points on our Instagram and Facebook channels.
We are
hosting weekly Zoom calls
to address your concerns an to hear from you, our business community. Today we hosted MP Gord Johns. Over a period of an hour, Gord answered questions and provided solutions to real time situations being faced in this challenging time. Visit our website
to register for our next Zoom,
where we
will be hosting Payworks Payroll experts, WorkBC and Donna Cloutier, CPA and Partner at Cloutier Matthews.
Its NOT business as usual but its still business and we’re here for you.
As we enter into the Easter weekend, I encourage you stay home, stay healthy and stay strong.
We’re In This Together.
See you next week,
Dianne
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The Chamber's Weekly Zoom Meetings
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In an effort to support our members, the Comox Valley Chamber invites you to attend our weekly information sessions. On Thursday April 16, we are pleased to have
Glenda Plews, Area Manager from Payworks,
attend the online meeting to help provide clarity for you, your business, and your employees as we as a community navigate the current health crisis.
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Updates From Our Local MP
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Gord Johns, MP Courtenay-Alberni
and
Peter Julian, MP New Westminster-Burnaby
have sent a letter to
the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
in Ottawa, seeking clarification and amendments on the wage subsidy, including:
- Removing the 30% drop in revenue requirement for SMEs with fewer than 50 employees
- Removing payroll limits on the $40,000 loan through the Canada Emergency Business Account
- Speeding up the timeline because 3-6 weeks is far too vague for businesses to make definitive plans
- Work with banks and lenders to put a freeze on rent, mortgage, utility and other fixed expenses that business incur.
- Improve the CERB with a universal direct payment for all people in Canada, including part-time and seasonal workers.
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Changes to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Program
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Shortly after rolling out the Emergency Wage Subsidy program, that would cover 75% of wages for eligible businesses, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced some changes, making the program more accessible for businesses.
Trudeau said that now, businesses will just have to show a 15% decline in revenue in March compared to 30%, and that businesses can compare March revenue to January and February 2020.
For the months of April and May, businesses will need to demonstrate 30% losses once again. Employers will also be allowed to measure their revenues either based on as they are earned or as they are received.
Charities, as well as non-profits, can also choose to include or exclude government funding when making their calculations.
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Emergency Support On Its Way For Regional Businesses
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With funding from Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), two response programs have been set up with regional partners to help the tourism sector and other enterprises with rapid recovery in the face of economic and operational challenges.
The one-on-one service delivery programs developed in collaboration with Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI) and Innovation Island Technology Association (IITA) are designed to provide support for businesses affected by COVID-19.
TVI’s Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Project will provide tourism businesses with practical assistance as they navigate the current crisis, through to their eventual recovery, post-pandemic. IITA’s Digital Economy Response Program (DER3) will provide personalized technical and industry expertise to enterprises ready to adapt their business models to the digital economy.
"The quick action taken by the Island Coastal Economic Trust together with leaders from tech and tourism is admirable,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness.
Both programs are expected to begin progressive implementation in early April.
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BC Chamber On Premier's Economic Recovery Task Force
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A new
Economic Recovery Task Force
will bring together community leaders to help ensure the province’s economic response to COVID-19 is effective and responsive to the needs of British Columbians.
The task force includes Premier Horgan, Minister of Finance, Carole James, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness, Michelle Mungall, and leaders from business organizations, including the BC Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of BC, Vancouver Board of Trade, Surrey Board of Trade, the BC Federation of Labour, First Nations organizations and the not-for-profit sector.
Importantly, the task force will begin to discuss long-term economic recovery following COVID-19. It will provide participants the opportunity to advise government on economic impacts in their sectors and solutions for long-term economic recovery.
“COVID-19 is a huge challenge, but British Columbians can be assured their government has their back – and together we will get through this,” Premier Horgan said.
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Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents may find themselves in a living situation where there is added stress, tension and/or violence. The Comox Valley RCMP would like to remind everyone that there is help available. People that are in a situation with added stress, tension and/or violence may feel that there is no one to speak to or nowhere to turn. The Comox Valley RCMP Special Victims Unit wants to remind residents that there is help and support available during this time.
Please reach out to any of the following agencies/services if you find yourself in this situation:
- Call 911 in case of an emergency (24hrs/day, 7 days/week)
- The Crisis line at the Lilli House, 250-338-1227 (24hrs/day, 7 days/week)
- Community Based Victim Services, 250-338-7575 (Monday - Friday)
- Police Based Victim Services, 250-334-5979 (24hrs/day, 7 days/week)
- Local RCMP Detachment, 250-338-1321 (non-emergency calls)
“We have noticed an increase with our front line officers responding to household arguments or disturbances” said Cst. Monika Terragni, Media Relations Officer, Comox Valley RCMP. “Without a doubt, some of these are directly related to the stress people are feeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We want everyone to know that it is alright to ask for help and there are people ready to help” she added.
The members of the Comox Valley RCMP Special Victims Unit is closely monitoring all of the domestic violence and child abuse that has been reported in the Comox Valley. These investigations remain a National and local priority.
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We're playing B-I-N-G-O on Instagram! Join us
over there
to get in on the fun. Playing bingo with us is a great way to beat any boredom you might be experiencing, while also supporting local business at the same time.
How it works:
- Download the bingo card by taking a screenshot from our Instagram story highlight or download it here.
- Complete an activity on the card. Make sure to photograph or video the activity and then tag us @comoxvalleychamber and any businesses you're supporting or friends you're getting involved.
- 'Dab' out your bingo card by posting the bingo card to your Instagram story and covering the square with a sticker, GIF or pen marks.
- Complete another activity on the card and repeat the process!
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Comox Bike Co.
is open, but operating under a 'closed door' policy. This means they are still servicing bikes, selling products and providing rental/demo bikes (where trail networks allow) - all must be done through an appointment. For further information please call 250-339-6683 or email comoxbikeco@shaw.ca.
The Comox Valley Hospice Society
office is closed to the public but services continue to be available to our community. Counsellors, staff, and volunteers continue to support those with life-limiting illnesses, their families, as well as those who have lost a loved one and are in need of bereavement support. If you know someone who is struggling with the recent death of a loved one, or who has had a palliative diagnosis, help is available. Self-referrals are welcome by calling 250-339-5533 or by emailing reception@comoxhospice.com.
Crown Isle Resort
is offering Easter dinner take-out on Sunday, April 12. Savoury turkey, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, stuffing and gravy for $27/person plus applicable tax. Pre-order by Saturday, April 11 at Noon to receive 15% off. Call 250-703-5088 to order.
Island Health
has job openings for Cooks, Food Service Workers, Food Service Supervisors and Environment Service Workers. Visit their
Career page
for details on applying.
Milano Coffee
in Comox is back open for business and offering service through a take out window at the store. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
Shoreline Orthodontics
has teamed up with over 20 other orthodontists and over 250 team members across North America to help flatten the curve. They're
challenging everyone to share a smiling selfie
on their chosen social media channel and to tag 10 friends in the post to get them to do the same. Use hashtag
#SeeASmileShareASmile
White Wave Medical Aesthetics
is
seeking nominations for front line workers
- they'll be drawing a name each week, starting April 17, and the winning front line worker will receive a little something special as a gift. Nominations can be emailed to lindsay@whitewavemedical.com.
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Public Consultation Postponed to Fall 2020
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The Comox Valley Sewage Commission has approved plans to reschedule public engagement on the future of the Comox Valley Sewer Service, as the community adjusts to a new normal amidst COVID-19 mitigation measures. Consultation will now take place in the fall, when it’s hoped the community can participate with more interest and capacity.
The revised schedule will include online and open house consultation through the month of September, with the goal of staff providing a recommended option to the sewage commission in November 2020.
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Canada Post Tools & Solutions
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• Send parcels with
Canada Post Snap Ship
. Easily compare services and discounted rates, and print shipping labels from your home office.
Solutions to help you launch an online store and modify your e-commerce operations:
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Thank you for staying in touch with The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber sends a regularly scheduled Newsletter every second Thursday. From time to time, we will also send emails about important issues facing the business and/or local community, surveys, and information about upcoming events and E-Blasts. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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