Daily COVID-19 Update: April 27, 2020
Supports for Business
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: Applications Open
The Government of Canada is now accepting applications for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Applications can be made through your ‘My Business Account’ or ‘Represent a Client’ (for tax preparers) portals. Alternatively, businesses may apply via the CRA website with their access code. There is no rush to apply; applications will be processed on May 4. A step by step guide created by the Canadian Chamber will help businesses in their applications process.
New Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund to help Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector
The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard announced $62.5 million of new assistance to the fish and seafood processing sector. Our hope and request would be that similar programming and support would extend beyond one specific segment or industry and would be provided to assist all agriculture and agri-food sectors in order to help aid in compliance to health and safety measures and new technologies, as well as adapting products to respond to changing requirements.
Supports for Individuals
Post-Secondary Institutions Stepping Up Amid COVID-19
Amid COVID-19, post-secondary education institutions have stepped up for the betterment of not only their students, but also all Canadians. If you're wondering how, take a look at the Canadian Chamber’s recent blog post.
Community Supports and Resources
#MuseumFromHome highlights Alberta’s rich history
#MuseumFromHome began to trend after museums around the world closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Curators around the world have been entertaining and educating millions of at-home viewers by uploading virtual tours, interesting and entertaining facts, and never-before-seen content from their collections. Alberta’s provincial historic sites and museums will be joining the #MuseumFromHome movement with new digital content uploaded every week – from educational content, to crafts for kids, to exclusive tours by museum staff. Viewers can check out the social media accounts of their favourite historic sites and museums each week for new content. Here’s a sample of what is available now:
- The Royal Alberta Museum’s livestream features Western Painted Turtles, Peacock Mantis Shrimp and other creatures from the Bug Gallery.
- Follow #TankLifeTuesday for extra fun facts and features about the critters on the screen.
- Remington Carriage Museum’s latest video is on the province’s connection to Canada Dry and the prohibition era.
- The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village has posted a video on how you can create your own pysanky (traditional decorated eggs), along with bread recipes.
- In its first video in an exclusive behind-the-scenes series, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology shares a sneak peek of its collection, which spans the history of life on Earth – from some of the oldest known fossils, to the extinction of the dinosaurs, and beyond.
The Royal Alberta Museum is joining thousands of retailers shifting to online shopping in the wake of COVID-19. The museum shop’s online store is now live through the museum’s website. Everything from colouring books, activity kits and locally made products is available for delivery.
Advocacy
U.S. Ratification Of CUSMA: We Are Calling For Border Flexibility
The announcement that the United States government has shared its [with the us ratification of CUSMA] notification means the agreement will enter into force on July 1, 2020. This is positive news for Canadian trade, as CUSMA will provide Canadian businesses with a foundation for continued access into our most important markets for exporters and investors. That said, it will be crucial for all three governments to adapt their CUSMA implementation plans and provide flexibility where they are required given the rapidly changing circumstances of COVID-19. Read more here.
Perrin Beatty: Managing Change Amid A Pandemic
As the world has learned from previous crises, society’s responses to catastrophe can range from adaptation to innovation to over-correction. In Canada, so far, our governments have managed the pandemic response as well as could be expected given the uncertainty involved. But what can we learn about how to make Canada better as we move from crisis to aftermath? Find out in this recent article that Canadian Chamber President and CEO, Perrin Beatty wrote for Policy Magazine.
New Resources
Q&A: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
A comprehensive Q&A document on the CERB for Canadians is now available from the Government of Canada.The CERB provides temporary income support to workers who have stopped working because of COVID-19.
FAQ: Canada Emergency Wage Subside (CEWS)
The Canada Revenue Agency has published an FAQ document intended to provide more in-depth technical information on the most commonly anticipated technical questions from businesses and tax professionals.
#ShopSmart Campaign
Retail Council of Canada is excited to be launching our #ShopSmart campaign that explains the precautions and guidelines grocery and drugstore shoppers should follow during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep customers, retail employees and communities across Canada safe. There’s some great video content and posters that retailers can download and use.
The Business Of Business: Financing Available During COVID-19
In this edition of The Business of Business, Hon. Perrin Beatty, Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, has a conversation with Tara Benham, Partner and National Tax Leader, Grant Thornton. They discuss the financing available to businesses and employees due to COVID-19 as well as the impact the pandemic will have on our economy. Watch now.
#YXH2Gether
Share your stories and resources with us and on the YXH Business Support Group. and connect with us for any questions you have. Don’t forget to recognize your heroes by using the hashtag #YXHheroes.
“Of course there is no formula for success except, perhaps, an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.” —Arthur Rubinstein
For more resources visit our COVID-19 page
On Demand Webinars
Alberta Bits & Pieces Webinar. Watch Now.
Canadian Business Resilience Network Video Content
Conflict Escalation & What to Do About It. Watch Now.
Destination Canada: The Visitor Economy: Watch Now.
How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business. Watch Now.
The Importance of Human Resources & Being Strategic When Your Business is Being Temporarily Impacted. Watch Now.
Leading During a Crisis and Switching to Remote Work. Watch Now.
Rent Relief in a World of the Coronavirus: Watch Now.
Shopify E-Commerce Tools. Watch Now.
Social Media in Crisis. Watch Now.
Working From Home During COVID-19. Watch Now.
Webinar Series
AMHSA, CSSE, Howatt HR, AUMA Mental Health Webinar Series. Click here.
APEX Alberta Webinars: Watch the recorded series
BDC Webinar Series: Register here.
BusinessLink: View upcoming events.
Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Watch Now.
CPHR Alberta: HR Pandemic Essentials. Click here.
Conference Board of Canada Webinar Series: Mental Health and COVID-19. Click here.
Constant Contact Webinar Series: View the line up of sessions and register.
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Wednesday weekly: Business & Economic Recovery During the COVID-19 Crisis
Free Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)® IDS™ sessions. Register here.
StartUp Canada Women Entrepreneur Webinar Series: Click here.
Travel Alberta Webinar Series. Watch Now.
Upcoming Webinars
April 28: Medicine Hat College Continuing Education. Register here.
April 28: KPMG Webinar: Navigating Federal & Provincial Programs. Register here.
April 28: Neuman Thompson: Understanding, Accessing and Optimizing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Register here.
April 29: Colleges and Institutes Canada Webinars for SMEs: Expand Your Innovation Capacity. Register here.
April 29: COVID-19 Webinar Series - Managing Your Mental Health. Register here.
April 29: WTF: What To Feel When Stressors Collide. Register here.
April 29: StartUp Canada: Lessons on Awakening Entrepreneurship. Register here.
April 30: StartUp Canada: Leadership Communications During the COVID-19 Crisis. Register here.
April 30: BDC How to get through the crisis with an online strategy. Register here.
April 30: EDC: COVID-19 Export Forecast and Current Economic Outlook. Register here.
April 30: Canada Chamber: State of Canadian Business in the Wake of COVID-19. Register here.
May 6: COVID-19 Webinar Series - Beyond Reacting: How to Re-Invent and Disrupt in the New Reality. Register here.
May 7: Write Like a Rockstar. Register here.
May 7: Business Sustainability During Times of Crisis. Register here.
Check out more events on our Pandemic Training Calendar