C-19 BULLETIN - April 14, 2020
Federal Government Updates

Today, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that relief for especially hard-hit sectors – including tourism – is coming soon. The Prime Minister noted that the Government’s initial focus was on ensuring support for Canadians and businesses regardless of sector, but they recognize that some sectors have been harder hit than others. He indicated that more announcements will come in the coming days.
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Pulse Check Survey

More than 2,000 respondents, including many tourism operators, participated in the previous  COVID-19 Pulse Check survey, the results of which went straight to the provincial and federal government. Thank you for your engagement.
 
The second economic impacts “pulse” survey is now live. By taking this 4-minute survey you will help to ensure the voice of tourism doesn’t fade during the crisis.
 
P.S.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU CHOSE TO SHARE THE SURVEY LINK:  Please copy and paste the link  exactly as seen  above (highlight it, right click, press “Copy” or “copy link”, and paste in your email).  Do not  open the link and copy it from the survey webpage/browser itself (this will break the link).
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TIABC Guest Presenter on Destination BC's Weekly Webinar

Last Thursday, TIABC's Walt Judas joined Destination BC's weekly webinar and provided an overview of aggregate and sector specific research on the impacts of COVID-19, as well as an overview of TIABC and sector specific advocacy activities. The recorded webinar can be viewed at:

All tourism partners and stakeholders are encouraged to join DBC's weekly webinar every Thursday to hear more about what we know, including federal, provincial, and organizational plans to support BC tourism through this difficult time. Destination BC shares facts, trends and data from research and analytics, as well as updates from sectors.

To participate, please email [email protected] .
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BC Government Response
Virtual Mental Health Programs

To ensure British Columbians have increased access to vital mental health supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Province has announced  $ 5 million to expand existing mental health programs   and services and have launched new services to support British Columbians.
  • BounceBack provides free access to online, video and phone-based coaching and skills-building program to seniors, adults and youth experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry.
  • Living Life to the Full offers free access to peer support and practical skill courses for coping with stress, problem solving and boosting mood. The 8-week course is led by a trained facilitator.
  • Learn about current and upcoming programs available

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Changes to Canada's Summer Jobs Program

The federal government recently made some changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program to help small businesses hire and keep the workers they need so they can continue to deliver essential services.

The temporary changes to the program for this year include:
  • an increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee
  • an extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021
  • allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services
  • allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis

Quick Facts
  • The changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program complement the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which committed $107 billion in support to Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of COVID-19.
  • The Canada Summer Jobs call for applications for the 2020 season closed on February 28, 2020. In response to the economic impacts created by the COVID-19 situation, the Government will work with Members of Parliament to identify organizations that provide essential services in the community and could provide youth jobs but did not apply for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020.
  • The Government of Canada has earmarked $263 million in funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020. This funding will help create up to 70,000 jobs for youth between 15 and 30 years of age, and the Government will be working with employers to explore work options that reflect the latest public health advice.
  • Job placements could begin as early as May 11, 2020, and end as late as February 28, 2021.
  • Youth will be able to search for jobs available in their communities through the Job Bank website and app.
  • In previous years, private and public sector employers were only eligible to receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum wage. The increase to the wage subsidy for private and public sector employers will be for this year only.

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Small Business Coalition

SaveSmallBusiness.ca is a grassroots coalition of small businesses across Canada. Their website was started on March 22 by seven small businesses from different sectors and his since grown to thousands of businesses.

According to a Save Small Business survey , 38% of small businesses will default on their commercial rent by April 1, and 70% by May 1.

Three urgent calls to action are outlined on
the website:

  1. Pause rent April 1
  2. Keep our staff together
  3. Defer debt obligations

Learn more at: savesmallbusiness.ca
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Pacific Coastal Airlines
Extends Temporary Suspension

Pacific Coastal Airlines had previously announced a temporary suspension to their scheduled flight service effective March 25th until May 2nd. 

To continue to help flatten the curve and due to a rapid decrease in demand, Pacific Coastal have made the decision to extend their temporary service suspension until May 31st. They anticipate resuming scheduled service on June 1st with a modified schedule. Customers who are affected will be contacted shortly with further information.

Note: Pacific Coastal is working with various communities to ensure they still have access to essential personnel and cargo. They want to ensure that health care professionals and cargo, such as medical supplies and food, can still reach the communities that they serve year-round.

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Holland America Line Extends Temporary Pause of its Global Ship Operations Until June 30

Due to continued port closures including Canada's cruise ship suspension until July 1st and other travel restrictions resulting from global health concerns, Holland America Line has made the decision to extend its pause of global cruise operations and cancel all sailings scheduled to depart through June 30th. This includes Alaska.

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Canada Takeout Day
#TakeoutDay is Wednesday, April 15th

Several hundreds of restaurant owners, chefs, culinary leaders and celebrities across Canada have joined forces to support Canada Takeout to make every Wednesday #TakeoutDay. This movement encourages Canadians to order from their favourite local restaurant offering takeout or delivery.


To kick off the #TakeoutDay, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party – Home Edition will host an epic variety show on Facebook live at 8 p.m. The idea is that friends and family can enjoy dinner and a concert together virtually and do their part to help restaurants on #TakeoutDay.



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Peter Armstrong, founder and owner of Armstrong Group, owner and operator of the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer has produced a short video to connect with his team. So far the video has garnered over 700 views and many positive comments. Videos like this are a great way to stay in touch while our industry is on hold.
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Hear from Christine Sorensen, President of the BC Nurses’ Union, as she discusses how businesses’ can play a part in supporting health care workers during this pandemic crisis.

Wednesday April 15 at 12:30PM

Monday April 20 at 1:00PM

The webinars will be posted on the GVBOT website and YouTube channel following the broadcast. 
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From coast-to-coast, Canada’s regional economies are as diverse as its geography. Join Colliers International Hotels and CFO Capital live for the second webinar in their Canadian Hotel Market Update Series – Regional Perspectives.

Thursday, April 16 at 10:30AM.
Follow this link to register: https://lnkd.in/dchpYMc
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Small Business BC (SBBC) are hosting a series of specialized free webinars to tackle the challenges faced by COVID-19. These webinars are geared at equipping businesses in our province with the skills and knowledge they need to survive the new realities of our COVID economy.




For information on additional SBBC webinars:
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Our industry is full of innovative, caring and helpful people.
Share your stories with us and we will share them here in our daily bulletin.
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BC Developer Offers Free Hotel Stays for Fraser Health Workers
A major BC developer is stepping in to offer free accommodation to front-line workers in the Fraser Health region during the COVID-19.

Health-care workers will be able to stay and park at Bosa Properties’ Element Hotel Metrotown for up to 14 days at no charge.

The hotel serves as a place for workers to go after their shift to rest, or to separate themselves from their family if they need to self-isolate.

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#ChopstickstoHeroes Campaign
30+ restaurants join forces to support health care heroes by donating meals to front line medical workers as part of the  Chopsticks to Health Care Heroes  campaign.

Learn more about the campaign and how you can participate:

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Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at [email protected].