Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Member Newsletter
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A Word from the Executive Director
I'm sure everyone has heard the news already. Portage & District is getting a new hospital! This is great news for our Community! Healthcare is important in attracting new business and newcomers to our area. Plus the added beds and services are needed for our residents. Congrats to the Hospital Foundation for all their hard work.
We are now accepting nomination for our 2021 Business Awards! If you know of a deserving business or non-profit, nominate them for one of our awards so we can celebrate their accomplishments. Nomination deadline is Friday, October 1st!
We can't wait to see everyone at our Golf Tournament on September 16th! This will be our first in person event in a very long time! Sponsorships and registration have been sent out. If you would like more info, please let me know.
Thank you once again to our members who have offered a discount through the new Member2Member discount program the Chamber is offering. If you would like to offer an exclusive discount to your fellow members and their employees, please let me know. We would like to announce the discounts this Fall.
Reminder to please add your business listing to our new website. The new website is www.portagedistrictchamber.com.
We also have a new email address. Please update to info@portagedistrictchamber.com.
This newsletter contains lots of information about programs that can help your business. If you have any questions or concerns regarding recovery or any of the programs for your business, please let me know. We are here to help.
Take care and stay safe!
Cindy McDonald
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Manitoba Chambers launches Buy Local MB Campaign |
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Manitobans are legendary at rallying and supporting each other when it’s needed most, and as we move towards a post-pandemic world, local businesses need us more than ever.
That's why MCC has launched a special province-wide campaign, Buy Local MB! We're proud to champion Manitoba's business community -- restauranteurs, retailers, producers and manufacturers, suppliers, artisans, service providers, and more. Our goal is to encourage all Manitobans to celebrate them too, and to urge you to pause and reflect before you make a purchase for your home or your own business, today and for tomorrow.
If you haven't already seen our bright, colourful artwork in social media and on billboards, you will soon! You'll also be hearing from us on radio and in the news, and even seeing these messages on TV.
Get ready to BUY BRAG TAG. Support your local chambers of commerce and the businesses in your community, and get in on the fun as you showcase your faves and do a little bragging on their humble behalf! Very special thanks to our chamber representatives for their input, and to 6P Marketing for creative execution. We can't wait to see spotlights of all the unique local products available in Manitoba!
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KAIROS Blanket Exercise for Reconciliation |
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Tuesday, October 5th
9am-12 noon
Virtual
The Portage Chamber is excited to bring to our members the KAIROS Blanket Exercise Program.
There are only 40 spots available, so sign up now.
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
The Blanket Exercise covers more than 500 years in an experiential workshop that aims to foster understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Everyone is actively involved as they use specific background icons that represent the various historical and current experiences of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. This program is highly regarded by Indigenous leaders across Canada and was selected for its unique and collaborative approach to fostering awareness and education.
Please email Cindy at info@portagedistrictchamber.com to register.
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PHASE 2 TRIP OPENS THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 |
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More than 11,250 Manitobans took advantage of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce’s Tourism Rebate Incentive Program, TRIP, adding up to more than 9,300 hotel room nights during the two-week window, as well as more than 2,500 rebates on admission to Manitoba’s STAR attractions.
Today, the MCC is excited to announce an additional 18 days of Manitoba adventures, road trips, and staycations will be eligible for rebates, from August 26 to September 12, 2021!
TRIP Phase 2 opens this Thursday for more joyful journeys and backyard exploration!
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VACCINATION UPDATES
· NEW! The Leila Supersite’s final day of operation will be Monday, August 30. There is still time to book your first or second dose appointment at that supersite before it closes. To book an appointment at any of Manitoba clinics: https://protectmb.ca/making-your-appointment-is-easy/
· NEW! The Manitoba government has announced the winners of its ‘Vax to Win Lottery’. To view the winners of the first set of $100,000 prizes, as well as those aged 12 to 17 who were awarded $25K scholarships, click here.
· NEW! Manitoba's two largest universities and several other post-secondary schools in the province (RRC, CMU, UCN) will require staff and students to prove they've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend campus this fall. The update marks a shift from the beginning of the summer, when most of those schools said they would not make vaccines compulsory when the fall term starts. Meanwhile, in the K to 12 school divisions, masks have been made mandatory in Louis Riel, Pembina Trails, River East Transcona, and Winnipeg School Divisions, while Pembina Trails and Louis Riel will definitely require staff to prove vaccination. For details about specific facility policies, go directly to your school's or your division's website.
DELTA VARIANT STATS & FACTS
· DYK that the Delta variant has a basic reproductive (R0) value of 5 to 9, as compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, which had an R0 value of 2 to 3? What does that mean? It means that an individual infected with the Delta variant on average spreads it to between 5 and 9 people, instead of just two to three. Read more about the pandemic's progress in this fascinating piece in The Atlantic, How the Pandemic Now Ends.
In this Vox article, the author set about investigating how much worse the sickness associated with SARS-CoV-2 could get. The answer: no one really knows. "There are a few different (but overlapping) dimensions on which the SARS-CoV-2 virus can evolve. One is transmissibility, meaning the virus’s capacity to infect more people, on average. Another is virulence, referring to the severity of symptoms from a case of Covid-19. (It’s still unclear whether delta, or any of the other variants, are more virulent than previous strains). A third is immune escape, which is what happens when viruses start to dodge antibodies and other immune system components that try to neutralize them. Viruses that evolve this trait can have at least some success spreading to people who have acquired some degree of immunity."
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Healthy Hire Manitoba Wage Support Program Now Open for Applications |
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The Healthy Hire Manitoba Program was first announced in late June to help private-sector businesses reopen while encouraging employees to get fully vaccinated.
Under the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, local employers can apply for up to $50,000 in provincial support to help cover the wages of new employees who can attest they have been vaccinated, intend to be vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated.
Along with confirming employee attestation that they have been vaccinated, will be vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated, eligible employers must declare they have supported public health protocols in the workplace including providing new hires with public health vaccine information.
Eligible employers will receive a grant equivalent to 50 per cent of wages for a maximum of 10 employees, with a maximum of $5,000 per employee, and is calculated based on full pay periods that entirely fall between June 10, 2021 and October 15, 2021, and applications are now being accepted.
The Healthy Hire Manitoba Program helps support that goal and complements our ‘4-3-2-One Great Summer’ Reopening Path that rewards Manitobans with fewer restrictions as more and more Manitobans get fully vaccinated.
The program in intended to benefit employers, employees and Manitobans alike as it encourages vaccination and helps to safely restart our economy as it increases staffing levels and brings more employees back to work to provide Manitobans with the goods and services they depend on.
Employers must be an active and permanent Manitoba-based business, not-for-profit or registered charity physically operating in the province.
The Healthy Hire Manitoba Program is available for newly-hired employees who started working no earlier than June 10, 2021 or a rehired employee who worked for that employer in a previous year or who was laid off as a result of the public health restrictions.
In addition, employers that are participating in a different government program may also receive funding from Healthy Hire Manitoba to hire additional employees.
Online application opened July 13, 2021, and employers have until September 30, 2021 to apply.
NOTE: The Healthy Hire Manitoba Program will be amalgamated with the previously announced Manitoba Youth Jobs Program for a total of $45 million available to support employers as they bring employees of all ages safely into the workplace. New applications will no longer be accepted under the previous Manitoba Youth Jobs Program and employers that have already applied will be notified regarding next steps.
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Share your insights as a business leader by registering now to join MBPulse.com, the MCCs brand-new engagement and polling platform. Our goal is to harness the collective experience of Manitoba's business community and amplify your voice.
Through quick polls, short surveys, and questionnaires, we'll consult with you confidentially on emerging issues. MB PULSE polls will measure sentiment and take the temperature of our community, and enable MCC to uncover trends, collect labour market information, and create research outputs to support our advocacy efforts.
Whether you're a leader in our network of local chambers of commerce, a small business owner, an industry executive, rural or urban, manufacturer or healthcare operation, retail or restaurant, join MB PULSE and share your experiences.
Keep your finger on the pulse of the business community.
SIGN UP NOW TO JOIN OUR OPINION PLATFORM: Click here.
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CANADA RECOVERY HIRING PROGRAM
The CRHP is for eligible employers that continue to experience qualifying declines in revenues relative to before the pandemic. (It is similar to CEWS and your organization can choose which subsidy benefits you most.)
BCAP EXTENDED FOR APPLICATION TO DECEMBER 31, 2021
Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) are providing up to $65 billion in direct lending and other types of financial support at market rates to businesses with viable business models whose access to financing would otherwise be restricted. If your business is seeking financial relief, the application deadline for BCAP loans and loan guarantees has been extended from June 30 to December 31, 2021. Click here to view a comparison of the EDC and BDC BCAP for small to medium businesses.
· Loan Guarantees for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: EDC is working with financial institutions to issue new operating credit and cash flow term loans of up to $6.25M to SMEs.
· Co-Lending Programs for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: BDC is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to SMEs for their operational cash flow requirements. Eligible businesses may obtain incremental credit amounts of up to $12.5M through the program.
· EDC Mid-Market Guarantee & Financing Program: From $16.75 to $80M is available to businesses that tend to have revenues of between $50 and $300M and need working capital to cover operational costs due to COVID-19. EDC will continue to work with Canadian financial institutions to guarantee 75% of new operating credit and cash-flow loans to exporters, international investors and businesses that sell their products or services within Canada.
· BDC Mid-market Financing Program: Medium-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19 and/or the decline in oil and gas prices can apply for the BDCs Mid-Market Financing Program, offering loans between $12.5 and $60M (provided jointly by BDC and your financial institution).
HASCAP APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 31, 2021
The Highly-Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program Guarantee is designed to support for the hardest-hit such as tourism and hospitality. These loans are 100% guaranteed, and can range from $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow in response to COVID-19, backed by BDC and available through your financial institution until December 31, 2021 (extended). Click here for more info.
The Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) is a $700-million federal program to support regional job creation and long-term growth. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet the eligibility criteria. In the West, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is investing $217 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
Funding Support
· Eligible businesses could receive interest-free, repayable contributions for up to 50% of authorized costs.
· Eligible not-for-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of authorized costs.
· Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Under the initiative, RDAs may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous clients.
Tourism Relief Fund
The Government of Canada announced support through the Tourism Relief Fund, which will provide $500M for the tourism sector over a two-year period. The majority of the funding, $485M, will be delivered by Regional Development Agencies (RDA’s) directly to tourism businesses and organizations for the creation of new tourism experiences, or to enhance existing ones.
Funding Support
Contributions to businesses will be either:
· non-repayable contributions up to $100,000 for up to 50% of eligible costs or
· fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs
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Canada Small Business Financing Program |
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Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment.
Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan. For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.
The Government of Canada has introduced many COVID-19 supports to help businesses weather the storm. To get a tailored list of the ones that fit your business situation or to discover other federal, provincial and territorial programs and services designed to help Canadian businesses grow, try the interactive business benefits finder.
You can also sign up for the notification feature to receive emails when there are changes to your favourite programs, when application deadlines are approaching, or when a new program that meets your needs is introduced.
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Government of Canada launches Jobs and
Growth Fund
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The Government of Canada launches Jobs and Growth Fund to create jobs and foster economic activity in Canada’s communities.
As Canada works to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the vitality of businesses and communities is key to our economic recovery. The Government of Canada has made the commitment to create 1 million jobs. Today’s investment aims to support the transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, enhance competitiveness and create jobs in every corner of the country.
Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), the new fund provides $700 million to support a regional response and stimulate economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis by investing in projects that will help to create jobs over the next three years and beyond. This includes up to $70 million dedicated to businesses created after January 2020 that meet eligibility criteria. By investing in job creators, the fund will help them to future-proof, build resiliency and position businesses for a strong recovery by adopting clean technology, increasing diversity, implementing new digital technologies and strengthening capacity in critical sectors.
In the West, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is investing $217 million to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness and creating jobs in every corner of the country.
Funding Support
- Eligible businesses could receive interest-free, repayable contributions for up to 50% of authorized costs.
- Eligible not-for-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of authorized costs.
Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Under the initiative, RDAs may contribute up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects with Indigenous clients.
Project Examples
- Projects related to clean technology and product development to de-risk and mobilize private capital investments in areas of emerging strength.
- Process adoption that support gains in productivity, greening production and operations as well as climate change adaptation projects that increase SME resilience to the impacts of climate change.
- Investing in the clean and circular economy in partnership with regional governments.
- Inclusive growth projects that support underrepresented entrepreneurs, owned/led businesses and workers which could include projects such as: providing funding to underrepresented entrepreneurs or owned/led SMEs to scale up and reach new markets; or funding to NFPOs providing inclusive business services to improve access to capital, mentoring opportunities and networks to drive greater economic representations.
- Projects contributing to diversifying local capacity (e.g. natural resource endowment, manufacturing assets and the bi-products of traditional industry, etc.) into areas with future clean growth potential.
- Projects that support collaborations to catalyze the development of consortia to support green economy transition, tech development and adoption.
- Projects that support the development or adoption of digital and technological solutions, and investments in technologies that help scale businesses, enhance their productive capabilities, and increase resilience (e.g., cybersecurity solutions, Industry 4.0).
- Projects supporting scale up and market expansion activities that bolster traditional areas of strength and highly impacted sectors.
- Projects that facilitate the development of emerging areas of global competitive advantage that offer opportunities for future growth.
- Projects that attract investment in key sectors.
- Projects that support supply chain adaptation and diversification opportunities to protect Canadian capacity in critical sectors such as food production, medical supplies, and biomanufacturing.
- Other types of projects that support SMEs and communities that are critical to the economic fabric of communities (i.e., major employers in those communities).
Applications are being accepted on a continuous intake basis until March 31, 2024, or until funding is fully committed.
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Participate in a Survey On Modernizing the EI Program |
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The Government of Canada has launched a national online survey as part of its consultations on building a modern Employment Insurance program. You are invited to share your views on how to improve the EI program so that it continues to be relevant in today’s labour market.
Comments are encouraged online and feedback will be welcomed until October 8, 2021.
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TOURISM INDUSTRY FEASIBILITY STUDY: Manitoba Tourism Industry Association in the Works |
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Labour shortages, insolvency, staff and housing shortages, market challenges and uncertain futures... Have your voice heard as a new TIA for Manitoba is considered. The Tourism Industry of Manitoba needs your voice in development opportunities and representation in advocacy and business. Their next step is to connect, engage, and learn from as many tourism industry operators as possible.
Please help by filling out the Industry Stakeholder Survey by August 26, 2021. Enter your name and information to win a $100 gift card of your choice!
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C-208: What’s with the Government’s Block of this Legislation? |
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Parliament has spoken and made its desire clear to make the sale of a small business to family members as easy as a sale to an unrelated buyer. Bill C-208 addressed this discriminatory tax policy, only to see the new legislation’s implementation blocked. Our feeling is that the decision to shelve the legislation of Bill C-208 is highly unusual and the government should reverse this decision immediately.
This legislation would make it easier for succession planning, but it has now become stuck in a legislative limbo that makes it impossible for small business owners to effectively plan. This issue is so critical to Canadian small businesses that 97% of nearly 450 local chambers of commerce voted to make it a major policy focus at our policy convention.
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Canadian Chamber Launches Vaccine Resource Hub and Workplace Recovery Toolkit |
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The Canadian Chamber recently launched new tools for small businesses to help them get back on track and make the current lock downs in our country the last.
The Vaccine Resource Hub provides businesses with a one-stop-shop to help build vaccine confidence amongst their team.
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Make Child Care a Priority in Manitoba |
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MCCA has released “An Open Letter to the Premier”.
We are asking for your support by signing on and sharing it far and wide – Tell Manitoba to make child care a priority.
When: How about now?!
What: Click on the banner at the top of the page that says #childcarethetimeisNOW
Why: This is your opportunity to let the Province of Manitoba know that the time is now for an affordable, accessible, high-quality, flexible, inclusive Canada-wide child care system.
What next: Complete the form “Send this letter to the Premier”. There is an option to include your own comments. Click on the captcha “I’m not a robot” and finally, click Add
Your Voice and join other Manitobans in sharing this message. You will receive a reply email to your email address.
What else: Would you like to also send this to the elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in your constituency? Of course! The MLA listing is provided. Once open, just click on your MLA’s email address and it will open up a new email. You can copy and paste the letter, add your own comments and forward it to your MLA.
Anything else?: Yes! Share far and wide with other Manitobans. The federal government has made child care a priority. We need Manitoba to make it a priority as well.
Thanks to child care, Manitoba works. #childcarethetimeisNOW
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Joint Association Statement on Bill C-11 |
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On Tuesday, the Canadian Chamber, along with numerous associations, sent a signed statement to the federal government urging it to update federal privacy legislation.
Privacy and data protection are critical in our modern economy, where Canadians are constantly accessing digital services to support their work, connect with friends and family, engage in ecommerce and access critical government services.
Cybersecurity risks are at an all-time high, and consumers deserve strong protections to ensure their personal data is safe. At the same time, companies of all sizes, across all sectors, require a flexible framework that aligns with international standards in order to innovate and reach customers in new markets.
To ensure consumer data is adequately protected and Canadian businesses remain competitive, it is imperative for the federal government to establish national standards. Bill C-11 provides an opportunity to modernize Canada’s federal privacy legislation to achieve this goal. We call on Parliament to prioritize Bill C-11 so this legislation can be debated, important amendments can be adopted and it can continue to move forward.
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MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAM
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.
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Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
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The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, provides simple and easy-to-access rent and mortgage support until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19. This program launch follows a commitment in the Speech from the Throne to provide direct financial support to businesses temporarily shut down as a result of a local public health decision.
This rent subsidy would be provided directly to tenants, while also providing support to property owners.
The new rent subsidy would support businesses, charities, and non-profits that have suffered a revenue drop, by subsidizing a percentage of their expenses, on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 65 per cent of eligible expenses until December 19, 2020. (Organizations would be able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020.)
A top-up Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy of 25 per cent for organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority, in addition to the 65 per cent subsidy.
The new rent subsidy would pick up where CERCA left off, delivering direct, targeted, and accessible rent support to qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19 without the need to work through their landlords, providing a subsidy for eligible fixed property expenses, including rent and interest on commercial mortgages.
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Letter to Portage Chamber members from the Portage School Board |
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We are sharing a letter to all our members on behalf of the Portage School Board.
The Portage la Prairie School Division has been a proud members of the Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce for many, many years - they are calling on local business for your support.
Please read the letter regarding Bill 64 - Education Modernization Act.
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Precision Agriculture Is a Game-changer for Canada’s Farmers |
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Syngenta Canada, along with Canadian Chamber Policy Advisor Jarred Cohen, discuss the future of farming and the importance of ongoing funding and incentives for digitization with the food and farmer sectors and how this will position Canada well for post-COVID-19 recovery in this recent piece from The Globe and Mail.
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Province Announces Support For Women In Trades Programming |
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The Manitoba government is investing $50,000 for two initiatives that support and encourage women pursuing non-traditional career options, including a program that focuses on increasing Indigenous women’s representation.
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Tools and Resources for Business |
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· Just as we have done in all three previous phases of pandemic economic recovery, we are sharing the Phase 4 Toolkit to help Manitoba businesses navigate changing public health protocols and health and safety guidelines. To download the Phase 4 Road to Recovery toolkit, click here.
· NEW! To access the Public Health Agency of Canada's Risk Mitigation Tool (designed to help businesses assess and reduce risks to employees/consumers in their workplace, created by COVID-19), click here.
NEW! For a new course produced by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, Pandemic Planning: Reopening for Business, click here to fill out a form and view the 30-minute module.
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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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Tax Increases Should Be Off the Menu for the Hospitality Industry |
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Did you know the excise tax on beer, wine and spirits is set to increase again on April 1? Now is not the time for higher taxes, especially increases targeting the hospitality sector. This crucial Canadian industry needs to be able to remain competitive to be able to recover from the crisis.
It's time to #FreezeTheAlcoholTax.
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Ensuring a Safe Return to the Workplace: What Organizations Planning a Return to the Office Need to Know
September 2 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Virtual
With vaccination rates on the rise and public health restrictions easing, planning a return to an in-person workplace has quickly become a top priority for non-essential businesses.
This webinar will focus on a number of important issues employers must consider when developing a plan for an effective and safe return to the workplace.
Presenters:
- Trevor Lawson, Partner, Labour & Employment Group, McCarthy Tétrault
- Gordon Frost, Partner, Ottawa Office Leader, Mercer Canada
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Business Support & Service offers
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Safe Work Manitoba
· Physical distancing
· Personal hygiene
· Physical environment
· PPE
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TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
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Homewood Health: This massive pandemic planning toolkit focuses on the emotional aspects of the pandemic, and provides more than 20 tips articles related to stress and anxiety management, working remotely, talking with children, building resilience, helping a troubled employee, and more.
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Safety Services Manitoba: SSM has a robust page of links to credible provincial and national safety-related agencies and organizations.
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B2B Manitoba
Recent enhancements to b2bmanitoba.ca enable businesses to contract health and safety services, such as product installation, laundry, cleaning and disinfection. The enhanced tool also now includes:
· a helpful home page explanation video;
· the ability to save search queries, page places and filters for an improved user experience;
· manufacturing location, shipping time and ships-from data
· the ability for vendors to list smaller lot sizes, to help small biz operate on a just-in-time basis/manage inventory.
If your business is in need of personal protective equipment to operate safely such as masks, screens, sanitizer, etc, visit b2bmanitoba.ca to view supplier information.
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BDC's COVID-19: Cash Flow Assessment Tool
The Business Development Bank of Canada's Cash Flow Assessment Tool can help you identify potential problems and act quickly to determine if you need to adapt payments or apply for emergency business financing.
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Cyber Threat Protection for you
Cyber crime is on the rise especially when it comes to small businesses. An estimated 71% of Canadian small businesses surveyed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), reported experiencing at least one cyber attack that impacted the organization in some way, including time and resources, out of pocket expenses and paying ransom. Among those businesses that were victimized by a cyber attack, 13% indicated the attack damaged their reputation.
Now more than ever, it’s important to be proactive to protect not only your customers and their data but also to protect your business. This is exactly why Field Effect developed Covalence for Business – to give you the powerful protection you need at a price that makes sense for SMEs.
As an Essential Business Service partner, Field Effect is also offering chamber members one free month when you sign up for a three-year contract of Covalence for Business.
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Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment
Announcing: Stillness by Trish O’Sullivan, on display in the Main Gallery at Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment (prairiefusion.ca) from July 26 to September 9.
Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment is located in the William Glesby Centre at 11-2nd Street NE in Portage la Prairie. Please use the South Entrance, located directly behind the Royal Bank.
Stillness is an exhibition of paintings inspired by our Canadian landscape. Capturing moments of stillness in each painting, O’Sullivan transports you to a place where you can feel the awe and tranquillity that she saw.
In her artist statement O’Sullivan’s says: “My paintings are inspired by Canadian landscape, how light plays across the water, or highlights a tree. I try to express how it makes me feel through my paintings. My feelings towards my surroundings are always changing and evolving and is represented in my more current works. I feel at peace in nature, in its movement and its stillness.”
“My intent is to capture that in my paintings and inspire viewers to slow down and see the beauty around them.”
O’Sullivan is a Canadian painter living in Winnipeg. She teaches fine arts in both Winnipeg, Manitoba and Kenora, Ontario. O’Sullivan is a certified Grumbacher Instructor teaching acrylic, drawing and watercolour classes at Michaels of Canada. She is a member of LOWAC and presently shows and sells her work in Kenora, Ontario.
Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment is a registered charity that showcases and promotes the artworks of artists.
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Summer Exhibit: Unmasking Influenza
This exhibit highlights the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1919, and makes meaningful comparisons to contemporary aspects of public health.
The exhibition features information panels, artefacts, digital video, and interactive activities to showcase the innovations and tribulations of Canadians as they lived through the most perilous virus of the last century.
On now until August 30, 2021.
Tea Party Tours!
Our most popular Summer program has returned! Enjoy museum admission, a customized guided tour of the grounds, a facilitated Victorian etiquette lesson, and a private tea party inside the heritage building of your choice. Beverages and dainties included, pricing varies depending on age, and booking in advance is required. For more information and booking details,
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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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