Table of Contents
Our new format for Tuesday's e-Blasts will start with a table of contents so that you can easily see what will be outlined and so that you can scroll to the parts that interest you the most.
  1. EAT LOCAL GPRC Bingo Game
  2. Job Postings on Website
  3. Network Call with Dr. Deena Hinshaw & Hon. Tyler Shandro
  4. Encouraging Employers to Step up for Students
  5. 8th Annual Mayor's Event
  6. Recovery and Restriction Survey
  7. Vaccine Resource Hub
  8. Work Place Recovery Toolkit
  9. Committees
  10. OHS Code Review
  11. Grant, Subsidy & Loan Updates
  • Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee - Additional information outlined
  • Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant - Update
  • Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
  • CEBA application deadline extended to June 30
1) EAT LOCAL GPRC Bingo Game
We are looking for local businesses to take part in our EAT LOCAL GPRC Bingo Game!

To participate, restaurants must be a member in good standing with the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce and provide one $25 gift card. The gift card will be used for the prize packages.

Each participating business, once confirmed and to a maximum of 24 restaurants, will receive a spot on the Bingo card and be assigned a letter. Closer to May 7, a representative from the GPRC will drop off a stack of Bingo cards, your assigned letter, and a stamp. Each restaurant will have a unique stamp, which will correspond with their assigned letter.
2) Job Postings on Website
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DID YOU KNOW?

Members are able to list job postings on the Chamber website through their online portal. Job posting can include information such as Title, Description, Posting Date and more. To post a job, simply login to your Member Login, click on Job Postings and then Add a Job Posting. You can also manage your job posting through the site.

If you have any questions, or need access to your Member Login, please contact the Chamber office at (780) 963-4545
3) Call Out to Indigenous Business Owners
The Greater Parkland Regional Chamber and several local partners are pleased to present Indigenous Business Connections on June 18th. We are looking for Indigenous business owners to join us for a round table discussion. More information on the event including times, registration information and more will be available in the upcoming weeks.
4) Network Call with Dr. Deena Hinshaw & Hon. Tyler Shandro
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce was joined on their network on Tuesday, April 26th by Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Alberta & Hon. Tyler Shandro, Minister of Alberta Health. There was great discussion around regional outlook, vaccine roll-out phases, rapid testing, business restrictions and the path forward.
5) Encouraging Employers to Step up For Students
The Greater Parkland Regional Chamber and CAREERS: The Next Generation, has been working with Parkland School Division No. 70 to provide hands-on opportunities in the trades for students in Grades 10-12. If your business is interested in participating in this ground breaking initiative to encourage students to live, work and play in their community, contact Jodie at the GPRC office for more information.
6) 8th Annual Mayor's Event
Since 2012, Gateway Association has hosted an annual Mayor's Luncheon in partnership with Mayors and forward-thinking business leaders across Alberta, with the goal of promoting Diversity & Inclusion through the voices of our community leaders.

This year, Gateway Association welcomes you to the 8th annual, and first ever virtual, Mayors Luncheon; Business Resiliency through Community and Inclusion.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Renate Burwash, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Gateway Association: renate@gatewayassociation.ca
7) Recovery and Restrictions Survey
The Regional Business Impact & 3rd Wave Restrictions Survey will work in partnership with local municipalities to assess the implications of COVID-19 on the local business community. The results will provide insight on how our Region’s local business community (broken down to each Municipality) has been dealing with the economic impact of COVID-19 and its path to business recovery.
8) Vaccine Resource Hub
While the choice to get vaccinated is ultimately up to individuals, this resource hub’s goal is to equip businesses to play their part to get Canada to herd immunity.

Given the overwhelming volume of information available on vaccines, this resource provides companies of all sizes with a single focal point for the information they need to know as employers and the resources they can use to reassure and encourage their employees to get vaccinated.
9) Workplace Recovery Toolkit
Businesses have a critical role to play before mass vaccination is completed. This toolkit provides practical guidance for businesses to re-establish their operations while ensuring the health and safety of staff and customers.

The advice provided is intended to be adaptable for companies needing, or desiring, to bring employees back into physical locations for collaboration or enhancing productivity. At the core of successfully executing a return to workplace plan is building trust through transparency and communication. It is likewise important for leaders to build a culture of safety and lead by example to set the tone for the rest of the office. 
10) Committees
We welcome the participation of our members on one or more committees of their choosing. Each committee usually meets monthly for 1-2 hours. There may be tasks assigned to be completed between meetings as well. This is a great opportunity to expand your ideas and become active with your Chamber of Commerce. Outlined in the invitation letter is a brief description of each committee as they are an ideal training ground for future community leaders and Board members.
11) OHS Code Review
Over the next three years, the Government of Alberta is reviewing the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code). This is an opportunity to improve health and safety outcomes for workers and streamline requirements to reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

Learn more about proposed changes for each part of the OHS Code under review in year 1 and take the survey by May 10, 2021.
12) Grant, Subsidy & Loan Updates
Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Guarantee
Businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 can access guaranteed, low-interest loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow needs. These loans are for small and medium-sized businesses that have seen their revenues decrease by 50% or more as a result of COVID-19.

The HASCAP Guarantee is available until June 30, 2021.

HASCAP Quick Facts:
  • If your business has financing already, you need to apply through that financial institution. If not, you have no lending, then you are free to go to any bank.
  •  Term Loan
  •  4% fixed interest rate
  •  Amortization up to 10 years (can be shorter if preferred)
  •  Up to 12 months interest only payments 
  •  Prepayment penalties in effect (calculated by Interest Rate Differential or 3-months' Interest, whichever is greater)
Please note that these funds are NOT to be used to pay any of the following:
  • Dividends
  • Distributions
  • Management Fees
  • Bonuses 
  • Payout of current existing debt
They are to be used for financing day-to-day operating costs and support cash flow within the business. 
Please review this document for more details:
To start the application process, you will need to fill out this online form at BDC and receive your unique code:
Along with the code, you will need the following for your financial institution:
  1. Year-End Financial Statements Prior to March 1, 2020
  2. Amount of loan you are requesting

AND
3 months’ of attestations from the CEWS or CERS program showing a 50% loss in revenue within the past 8 month period. The months do not need to be consecutive
OR
Documentation showing that you have had a loss of 50% revenue or more for 3 months within the past 8 month period when compared to the previous year. The months do not need to be consecutive
i.e.: January 2020 = $35,000 January 2021 = $16,000, loss of 54.3% 
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant
The Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant offers financial assistance to Alberta organizations (businesses, cooperatives and non-profits) that were ordered to close or curtail operations, and that experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Spring 2021 payment is calculated as 15% of the eligible organization's revenue from the chosen month to a maximum of $10,000.

April 12, 2021: the Government of Alberta announced that it is offering small- and medium sized businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits affected by the April 2021 public health orders the opportunity to apply for a new payment of up to $10,000 from the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant Program.

Application intake for Spring 2021 closes May 31.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages.

The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease your business back into normal operations.

Next period opens May 9, 2021
CEBA Application Deadline is Extended
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, the Honourable Mary Ng, announced that the deadline for new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) applications is being extended from March 31 to June 30, 2021.
We're always keeping the GPRC website current with information about new and updated grants and subsidies. Check it out!
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSOR
This e-Blast is from: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Name: Elizabeth Olsen
Title: Office Administrator
Company: GPRC
Contact: kwambold@gprchamber.ca