Weekly Update: August 28-September 3, 2020

Supports for Business

Applications now open - Canada United Small Business Relief Fund

The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund is now accepting applications. SMEs across Canada* can apply to receive a relief grant of up to $5,000 to help with their COVID-19 recovery efforts. Businesses can learn more and apply by visiting https://occ.ca/canada-united-small-business-relief-fund/

Changes to CEBA and Call Centre for Support

The application deadline for CEBA has been extended to October 31, 2020. The federal government is also working to expand the eligibility criteria to include businesses that operate through a personal bank account. More details are expected soon. In addition Export Development Canada, who is responsible for overseeing the execution of the CEBA program, has opened a call centre to help answer business owners' questions about their application or eligibility for the program. The call centre can provide callers with information about the status of their application, the CEBA program and the document upload website. The purpose of the call centre is not to field complaints about the program. The call centre is open Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MST at 1-888-324-4201. Find out more about CEBA and program changes here. Read the Canadian Chamber's statement on the CEBA changes here.

Changes to Business Credit Availability Program

The BCAP program has been extended to June 2021 and provides access to capital for businesses through loans that are administered by Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada. These loans are repayable in full after five years.

City Centre Development Agency Lighting Rebate Program

This program is meant to subsidize the cost of installing security lighting at the rear of a downtown business to help deter any unwanted activity. You can obtain applications from the City Centre Development Agency at ccda@shawbiz.ca and applications and receipt of work completed can be submitted to the CCDA office at 608 3^rd St. S.E., T1A 0H5. Find out more here.

CRA Increases Amounts For Meal Claims And Benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency, with immediate effect and retroactive to January 1, 2020, has increased the amount employers can use to determine whether an overtime meal or allowance or the meal portion of a travel allowance is taxable from $17 to $23. More information.

Pitch To Win Up To $25,000 In The Canadian Export Challenge

Startup Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, UPS, MasterCard, Scotiabank and Export Development Canada, proudly presents the third annual Canadian Export Challenge (CXC2020), powered by Google. Registration deadline is September 9. Find out more

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund support for Western Canadian businesses tops $154 million

More than 2,400 businesses in Western Canada have received over $154 million in RRRF funding, protecting almost 11,000 jobs in communities across the West. More information.

Supports for Individuals

Government of Canada Strengthens Federal Labour Standards for Work-Integrated Learning

The Government of Canada announced the coming into force of changes to federal labour standards. The changes strengthen protections and regulations for internships in federally regulated workplaces and build on other efforts to protect young workers, including anti-harassment and violence legislation. Read the backgrounder.

Community Supports and Resources

Nominations are now open for Canada's Volunteer Awards

Canada's Volunteer Awards (CVA) recognizes the significant contributions of individual volunteers, non-profit organizations and businesses across the country in helping communities. Nominations are open until September 30, 2020. Learn more

Federal education funding for COVID-19

Alberta's government will be distributing $262 million in federal funding to school authorities for COVID-19 related expenses.

The federal government will be transferring the funding to the province in two phases - once in September and once later in the school year. The majority of the funding will be distributed to school authorities based on a per-student model, and it must be used to support additional COVID-19 related costs in one or more of the following categories:

• Staffing
• Adapting learning spaces and personal protective equipment
• Cleaning and safety considerations for schools and buses
• Supports for special needs students
• Online learning and teacher training

More information.

Community Vibrancy Grant Application Deadline October 30, 2020

The City of Medicine Hat announces the creation of the Community Vibrancy Grant to support projects that bolster community spirit and promote quality of life. The deadline for application is Friday, October 30, 2020 by 3:00 p.m. An information session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Grant guidelines, application and pre-registration information can be found on the City website.

Advocacy

The Recovery Will Be Business-Led, Make No Mistake

Any true recovery must, and inevitably will, be led by business. Just as every downturn is first felt on Main Street when the lights begin to go out, every recovery starts when the open signs begin reappearing. Read the Op-Ed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce here.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce launches Our Restaurants campaign

With up to 60 per cent of restaurants facing permanent closure in the next three months, the Our Restaurants campaign puts a spotlight on the current situation faced by Canadian restaurants amidst COVID-19 and urges Canadians to show their support by purchasing a meal at their favourite local restaurant and contacting their elected representatives. Watch news coverage from CTV and Global. Learn more

Are You Interested in Meeting With Candidates For World Trade Organization Director-General?

In partnership with the members of the Global Business Coalition, we are providing an opportunity for the business community to meet virtually with the candidates running to become the next head of the WTO. You can register for these events starting on September 3rd here.

New Resources

Meet The New Chamber.ca

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched a new website with a better user-experience and a more streamlines, easy to use format. Check it out by visiting chamber.ca.

Take another Look at the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

Infographic here!

Sign Up For A Free Break Box From Workplace Strategies For Mental Health, Compliments Of Canada Life

Taking breaks can help us make decisions, stay focused, retain information and increase creativity. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, compliments of Canada Life, to offer free Break Boxes to businesses and employees across Canada. These practical, educational kits are filled with individual and team-based activities designed to promote positive mental health at work and at home. Sign up to receive your free Break Box while quantities last!

Occupational Health and Safety Resources

Various resources are available to employers on the OHS Resource Portal. A new webinar is available now: Operating during a pandemic.

Webinar Recording: Building Digital Capacity And Business Resiliency During COVID-19 with TC Energy

Embracing change allows organizations to accomplish things they didn't know were possible. We were joined by Chris Foster, Vice-President, Information Services and Chief Information Officer at TC Energy, for a webinar to discuss building digital capacity and business resilience amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch now.