July 30 | 2020
ON THE PROVINCIAL & LOCAL FRONTS
New Provincial Health Guidelines for Hotels, Boats & Vacation Accommodations
This week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry amended orders for public gatherings and events to include the number of people permitted in vacation rentals, hotels, boats, and more. The orders now limit the number of people permitted in these gathering places to the capacity of the space, plus up to a maximum of five visitors.
Regional Economic Recovery Task Force Seeks Input From Agriculture Sector
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC), in conjunction with the Regional Economic Recovery Task Force are seeking input to understand how COVID-19 has impacted those businesses within the agriculture sector.  They are asking operators to review areas of impact and concern including demand, operations, and workforce, and to then connect with the COEDC directly to provide your feedback.
UBCO Expands Free COVID-19 Mental Health Services due to Demand
The extreme need for continued mental health support during this unprecedented time has driven UBCO to adjust their temporary teletherapy line into two online solutions - a virtual walk-in well-being clinic and an email-assisted online therapy program.

UBCO’s walk-in well-being clinic provides a barrier-free wellness clinic, accessible without an appointment to students, staff, faculty and community members. Patients are provided a 30-minute consultation via web or phone. The sessions will be conducted by a doctoral student in clinical psychology and supervised by a registered psychologist.
YLW: Air Canada to Resume Services between Kelowna & Toronto August 2
Since March, a large number of flights have come to a halt at airports throughout the country. As routes gradually open, Air Canada has announced that beginning August 2nd, direct flights between Kelowna and Toronto will resume four times per week : Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Passengers are reminded that they must wear face masks in all public areas of the Kelowna terminal. You can find more information on all of the new and extensive health and safety initiatives at YLW HERE .
RESOURCES & MORE
Have You Pivoted Your Business During COVID-19 Online? Tell Us Your Story.
COVID-19 has been a challenging time for business owners. As part of the recent PulseCheck survey put on by the BC Chamber, it was found that 36% of businesses (up from 31%) have increased their digital or e-commerce presence, and small numbers have introduced new products or services (15%), advanced new marketing projects (10%) or advanced new research and development (6%).
 
If you have pivoted into the online space during this time, we want to hear your story, please EMAIL US.
Has Your Company Developed PPE in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
We are looking to learn more about local member businesses that are making and providing Personal Protective Equipment. If you make these products, or have pivoted or your business to create these products during the pandemic we want to hear from you, recognize your efforts, and share your information with those in need.

If this sounds like your business, please EMAIL US.
Replay Available: Andrew Wilkinson on Provincial Politics & BC's Economic Outlook
Tuesday, our Okanagan School of Business Speaker Series hosted Andrew Wilkinson, Leader of the Official Opposition in BC. The recording of this webinar is now available by visiting our resource centre on our website.
TODAY: Navigating the Extended Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy with BDO
Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced extension and expansion details to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program on July 17. The new enhancements are complex and require further explanation on how they will impact businesses. TODAY at 9:00am, join BDO in a webinar where you will receive practical guidance and actionable solutions on how the CEWS enhancements will impact a business if operations are taking place domestically and internationally.
ON THE FEDERAL FRONT
CRA Extends Payment Deadline & Provides Interest Relief for Outstanding Debts 
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has extended the payment due date for current year individual, corporate and trust income tax returns, including installment payments, from September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Penalties and interest will not be charged if payments are made by the extended deadline of September 30, 2020.  
Over $95 million in Relief & Recovery Funds Flow to Businesses in Western Canada
In Western Canada thousands of local businesses saw their revenues disappear due to the pandemic, and have faced challenges keeping their employees, paying rent and utilities, and managing cash flow. This week, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister Responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced that businesses across Western Canada have received over $95 million in support from the Regional Relief & Recovery Fun (RRRF).
Businesses Call on Government to Assist During Prolonged Food Services Recovery 
Recently, the Canadian Chamber alongside provincial, territorial and local Chambers of Commerce and leaders in the food services industry, sent a joint letter to political leaders at all levels across Canada to sound the alarm. The letter, signed by 21 industry and business representatives, underscores the food services industry’s importance across Canada, and outlines where government programs responding to COVID-19 have helped and identifies key policy areas where immediate action is required to prevent irreparable harm to the food services industry in which 800,000 jobs have been lost since March.
Our Restaurants: Call for Member Profiles & Stories
Restaurants are cornerstones in communities of all sizes across Canada. They’re meeting places for business and pleasure. When the pandemic hit, restaurants were among the first and the hardest hit of the sectors. Notwithstanding their own losses, restaurants have stepped up to serve their communities and their customers and have continued to bring Canadians together – just in new and innovative ways. 

Our Restaurants is a national program aimed at raising awareness of the restaurants and food services industry and the contributions they make to each community and the country as a whole. If you are a member of the Kelowna Chamber and would like to share your story, please EMAIL US.
Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Email us.
KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org