Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Member Newsletter
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A Word from the Executive Director
You might have received and email or phone call from Del Communications. They are the publisher of our inaugural magazine. Work has started on content and advertising for the Portage & District Business Review magazine. We are really excited about our first magazine being published this Fall. If you have a milestone coming up this year or a great story, please let us know.
We're excited to announce that our Business After Hours mixers are back! Starting in September, every 4th Tuesday, you can showcase your business to your fellow Chamber members. The Chamber will take care of promoting the event, you take care of hosting. Cost is $100.
Available dates in 2022 are:
October 25th
November 22nd
Please let me know if you would like to book a spot. First come first served. More info in poster below.
Reminder to please save the date for our Meet your Fellow Business Golf Tournament coming up September 22nd. More details will be coming out in the next couple of weeks.
A reminder to please add your business listing to our new website. The new website is www.portagedistrictchamber.com.
How to create an account on our new website directory:
2. Click Member Log In
3. Create an account with your business email.
4. Wait for me to approve your account, once you are approved, you will get a confirmation email. You can log into the website on a desktop computer & fill in your account information & update your profile with your logos.
Make sure your profile description has any information on it people may need to contact you or your business in the write up area.
automatically & you can update your information whenever you would like to.
Have a great week!
Cindy McDonald
Executive Director
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ATTENTION EMPLOYERS : Ukrainian Immigrant Focused Job Fair |
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Call for Employers/Ukrainian Immigrant Focused Job Fair
-July 21st
-Stride Place Multi-purpose room
-1pm-4pm (soft ending time)
Goal: To connect displaced Ukrainian immigrants with employment opportunities in Portage la Prairie.
If you have job opportunities, this is a great opportunity to potentially recruit new employees.
Only 20 tables available.
Please email me the Chamber to book your table. We will try and accommodate everyone.
Dear Chamber members,
Following the promotional efforts of other communities in the province, we are looking to host a job fair specifically focused on Ukrainian immigrants. Ukrainians are arriving in Winnipeg daily and a support centre has been set up for them at the Best Western hotel airport location. These immigrants are not necessarily destitute (although some may have more needs than others) and are simply looking for a safe community to bring their family to where they can work and thrive. Immigrants are provided with lodging at the hotel, but it is not indefinite. Nobody is certain as to numbers of immigrants that will continue to arrive, but we have been encouraged to go ahead with our initiative. We will do our very best to promote this to Ukrainians arriving, using a variety of methods including social media and visits to the hotel and airport. We will have assistance from local members of the Ukrainian community with translation. Please keep in mind that you will have access to the Ukrainians that have arrived before the war and are currently living here too! Many of these Ukrainian local residents are excited about connecting with local employers as well.
Full Disclosure
-as men of a certain age demographic are not currently allowed to leave the country, the participants will primarily be mothers with children
-many of those coming are educated and come with a solid skill-set
-many, if not all with not have transportation
-location of housing will be very important and we are hoping to have representation from property management companies at this event as well
-many are coming with limited or no English (but not all) We have already seen success locally using technology such as iPads and phones with translation apps to make communication possible
-many speak both Ukrainian and Russian
-some may be coming with young children in need of daycare services
-many if not all have been issued a work permit that has certain restrictions including not being able to work in certain health care fields, educational facilities and daycares, and agriculture, but following a medical exam which all immigrants need to have done within 90 days of arrival, they can apply to have these restrictions removed
There is no doubt that there are hurdles, but we have already seen local employers thinking outside of the box to make it a win/win for everyone.
We are going to do everything possible to fill the bus, but we are also aware that we may need to postpone the event last minute until the next possible charter flight of Ukrainians arrives (again, there are currently no solid answers as to if this is even happening).
The bottom line is that we are committed to “going for it” and if with the information provided you feel it might be of any benefit to you, please accept our heartfelt invitation.
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Canada Digital Adoption Program |
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The way we live, work, shop and even access information has changed. The global pandemic has shown the importance, for Canadian businesses like yours, of adopting new digital technologies to stay competitive and meet customers’ needs.
Businesses across Canada have been able to thrive in today’s marketplace by adopting digital technologies, and your business can too.
Earlier this year, the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) was launched by the federal government to support Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and better position them for the future. Through $4 billion in grants over four years; expert advice in areas such as e-commerce, process automation, cybersecurity and data analytics; and 0% interest loans, CDAP will help SMEs boost their e-commerce presence and digitize how they run their businesses.
CDAP’s Grow Your Business Online grant will help up to 90,000 smaller businesses adopt digital technologies, like e-commerce. Eligible businesses will receive micro-grants of up to $2,400 and will gain access to a network of more than 11,000 digital advisors who will help them adopt e‑commerce.
The Boost Your Business Technology grant will provide support to 70,000 Canadian-owned SMEs, like small manufacturing and food processing operations. The grant will cover 90% of the cost to develop a tailored digital plan, up to $15,000. With a digital adoption plan in hand, SMEs will then be able to apply for 0% interest loans of up to $100,000 from the Business Development Bank of Canada to implement their plans.
If you want to increase your business’s bottom line by adopting new digital technologies, you may wish to explore these options.
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Government launches consultations to Inform the National Agricultural Labour Strategy |
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Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector is an important engine of economic growth that feeds millions of people in Canada and around the world. It is also part of the country's critical infrastructure, essential to the health and well-being of all Canadians. Last week the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, launched consultations to solicit input and inform a National Agricultural Labour Strategy.
A number of areas of focus have been identified, including the use of automation and technology, targeted skills development and training, employment incentives and best practices, improved working conditions and benefits; and programs to recruit and retain workers.
The online consultation opened on June 27 and will close on September 28, 2022.
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Q2 CSBC results now available |
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The latest Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC) reveals that the recovery remains incomplete for one-third of businesses. Businesses are dealing not only with a “cost crunch,” but also with difficulties recruiting and retaining labour, and supply chain pains.
However, Canadian companies are cautiously optimistic about the near-term outlook, with sales expected to pick up in Q3. The survey shows that businesses innovated during the pandemic, with more organizational changes planned for the year ahead.
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The Recycle Everywhere program provides support and recycling infrastructure to small and medium businesses in Manitoba who are looking to promote sustainability within their business.
As a member of the Portage Chamber, you can connect with Recycle Everywhere and take advantage of many complimentary services. Read more here...
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Did you know that the Manitoba Tourism Education Council offers free training for your business?
MTEC will also continue to train existing staff of tourism, hospitality and retail businesses through ZOOM webinars until September. We will then offer
ZOOM webinars and classroom training at MTEC.
Clean It Right was developed as a result of the pandemic but was never meant to be limited to that time-period. Having an enhanced cleaning program will definitely assist in regaining consumer confidence in returning to your business; but just as important, will keep them coming back.
Clean It Right is something that you can have your staff members re-take, as a refresher, and have new employees complete before they begin working in your business.
Clean It Right is FREE in Manitoba and available on-line.
UPCOMING TRAINING
Click on course name for full details
All Training is Complimentary Except for Food Handlers
JULY ZOOM TRAINING
AUGUST ZOOM TRAINING
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KEEP YOUR BUSINESS CONNECTED
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAM
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Province Tables Bills Aiming to Modernize Liquor Sales |
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Considering Employee Benefits?
THE CHAMBER GROUP INSURANCE PLAN:
Canada’s #1 Plan for Employee Benefits
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, running a home-based business, or part of a larger firm, benefits are a very important part of your financial security. The Chambers Plan creates a solid foundation for that security, based on a benefit program that can be designed to suit organizations of any size.
You’ll get the flexibility and security you need, along with a benefits program that’s personalized for you and your company. You’ll also get rate stability, guaranteed coverage, exceptional customer service, and additional advantages not offered anywhere else.
Bonus features: NO minimum firm size, NO industry restrictions, YOU choose the coverage, YOU control the cost! Your Chambers Plan offers more than just financial support. You’ll also have access to travel medical insurance (included in all Health Care Options,) Best Doctors® services, and discounts on eyewear, laser eye surgery and hearing devices.
See why more than 30,000 business owners have selected this plan.
EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAM
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Portage Work Experience Program |
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Are shipping costs taking a bite out of your bottom line? Do freight fees have you feeling less than fine?
Purolator is Canada’s leading integrated freight and parcel solutions provider, and we’re celebrating more than 50 years of delivering Canada a network unlike any other.
We continue to expand our reach to more people, more businesses, and more places across our vast country.
As Canada’s largest courier company, Purolator delivers innovative products and superior services on which you can depend. With more couriers, more vehicles, and more planes in more places than any other domestic courier, we provide solutions that are right for Canadians — whenever and wherever they need to ship.
Purolator has developed a tiered courier pricing structure for Chamber members that offers the most opportunity for savings, ranging from 25% to 45% off our rates, depending on your organization’s annual volume.
For more information, Click here or contact Tim Hick, Purolator Alliance Partner Program, at 1 (877) 324-0002 for a quote for your business.
MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAM
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Dear Portage la Prairie and Area Business,
As I’m sure you’re aware, many Ukrainians have been forced out of their homes with very little notice, completely uprooting their lives in the process, with some making their way here to Canada. As the Province prepares for the potential arrival of large numbers of Ukrainians who may seek safe haven in Manitoba, the Ukrainian Response Task Force has been starting to plan and coordinate efforts to prepare to help Ukrainians.
We have been asked to compile a list of businesses in our area of rural Manitoba that may be interested in hiring Ukrainians. If you have a business and are interested in supporting this initiative please email plip@portagecrc.com and we can add your business to the centralized list that is being developed to support this initiative.
Once again, if you are interested in hiring Ukrainians for your business in rural Manitoba please email plip@portagecrc.com to have your business put on the centralized list.
Thank you in advance,
Mitch Tilk
Local Immigration Partnership Program Coordinator
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Subject: Looking for Participants for Study of Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs
Dr. Gina Grandy at the Hill and Levene Schools of Business, University of Regina is conducting a study on immigrant women entrepreneurs in the Prairies.
The research team is trying to benchmark and track the status of immigrant women entrepreneurs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, to better understand their experiences, and document any specific barriers to immigrant women’s entrepreneurial success.
We are looking to interview women who migrated to Canada and who own(ed) a business in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and/or Manitoba. We should need approximately one hour of participant’s time and the interview will be conducted by telephone at a time suitable for you. The interview will involve asking you a range of questions about your experiences as an immigrant woman entrepreneur. This research study has been reviewed by the University of Regina’s research ethics board. If you are interested in participating, you will be asked to complete a consent form to ensure that you know how you information will be used.
For more information about the study or to arrange for your participants, reach out to Christie Newton, research assistant with the project, by phone (306)640-6390 or by email chrisynew@gmail.com. Please note that email is not a secure form of communication and there is a possibility that any correspondence sent to your email could be intercepted by outside sources.
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Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Cindy McDonald
Executive Director
20 Saskatchewan Avenue East
204-857-7778 or 204-856-9832
info@portagedistrictchamber.com
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