LATEST UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
HAVE YOU LAID OFF EMPLOYEES
DUE TO COVID-19?
YOU MUST APPLY TO EXTEND YOUR TEMPORARY LAY-OFFS BY AUG 25TH!
Many employers in BC might need more time before they are ready to recall employees laid off due to COVID-19. If you expect your business will have temporary layoffs longer than 24 weeks on August 30, you need to apply to the Employment Standards Branch to further extend the layoff. You must apply by Aug. 25 for the extension. Failure to apply will constitute termination of inactive employees, and you will need to pay severance. https://bit.ly/2E0Eysm

HOT AUGUST NIGHTS - ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAM
Downtown Ladysmith will be open until 7pm every Thursday in August!
Small Businesses have been hit hard. The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre, the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association and the Art Council of Ladysmith have partnered to help small business in the downtown core drive revenue. This initiative is being made possible by a grant from the Town of Ladysmith. Thank you!
Shopping Locally makes everyone a winner. Supporting our local businesses also supports our community. Ladysmith has got you covered. Spread out, take a stroll on 1st Avenue and enjoy Dining, Shopping, Artists throughout our beautiful downtown. Get to know your local merchants.

Thursday August 20th will also feature:
  • Great specials and many downtown businesses
  • Michael Dean will be under a cozy tent. Drop by and say hello and see his amazing art - prints and originals for sale
  •  3 - 7 pm the Arts Council of Ladysmith will be selling ICE CREAM bowls. Perfectly hand crafted pottery bowls for only $20.00 each (CASH) and Ladysmith Dairy Queen is giving you a FREE Ice Cream Cone while the coupons last. How Cool is That. All bowls are hand made and unique. We will be in front of Little Otters right Downtown. Bring your cash - great for the ice cream lover or for chili, soups & stews in the winter.
  • Summer lights...patio seating... and now, the Town is excited to provide these physically distanced picnic tables with colourful umbrellas while they are waiting for the permanent patio sets to arrive.
  • Live Music

Covid-19 Protocols will be in place.
Ladysmith Maritime Society presents Kid’s Pirate Days Online
August 24 to 28
You will have heard the rumours, seen the announcements in Take 5 and the Chronicle or learned from a friend…: “The Ladysmith Maritime Society’s annual Kids’ Pirate Day goes virtual in the summer of 2020.” Maybe even viral…
 
Starting on Monday, 24 August 2020 at 03:00 pm the first episode of this year’s Virtual Kids’ Pirate Event will be posted on the internet. (www.lmsmarina.ca) 
Keep your Business information current in the Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
The Directory highlights local businesses that are open and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe.   

A Welcome Boost the Ladysmith Open for Business Directory! Destination BC has compiled a list of communities who are maintaining lists of businesses that are open in their communities
The Ladysmith Open For Business Directory link is included on the HelloBC platform.  

Local Businesses can update their hours & services by clicking on the button below.
CRA extends
payment deadlines to
September 30th
The CRA is extending the payment due date for current year individual, corporate and trust income tax returns, including instalment payments, from September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020. 
The CRA is also waiving interest on existing tax debts related to individual, corporate and trust income tax returns from April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and from April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 for goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) returns.
Digital Economy Response Program DER3
Hot off the Presses - DER3 Restart, Recover and Reimagine. Here's what making news at Innovation Island. Taking DER3 to the next level!
14th Annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit Goes Digital
 The 14th Anniversary ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, October 27, 28 & 29, 2020.
BUY LOCAL COWICHAN
#CowichanStrong invites all Cowichan businesses to be showcased on Buy Local Cowichan. 
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G1A4 Canada
250-245-2112