Daily COVID-19 Update: April 20, 2020

Supports for Business

Prime Minister announces support for Indigenous businesses

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses. The funding will allow for interest-free loans, as well as non-repayable contributions, to help Indigenous businesses unable to access the government’s existing COVID-19 support measures. Additional funding will help Aboriginal Financial Institutions cover operational expenses, and help the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association increase its operational capacity. The Financial support will be provided through Aboriginal Financial Institutions, and administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association and the Métis capital corporations in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, offering financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses. Read more.

Desjardins

Personal members and clients who are having trouble repaying their loans can reach out to Desjardins to discuss their options. The financial cooperative will review each request on a case-by-case basis and suggest solutions that could go as far as giving members and clients payment relief for all of their financing products—an option that wouldn't have any negative impact on their credit rating.

Community Supports and Resources

Canada – U.S. Land Border Restrictions Extended

On Saturday, April 18, it was announced that restrictions on travel across the land border between Canada and the U.S. would be extended until May 20. The current restrictions remain in place. Read more.

‘It’s time to applaud this country’s volunteers’: National Volunteer Week April 19-25

Our Volunteers work tirelessly and often behind the scenes without recognition. At this time and all throughout the year, we should recognize the amazing efforts of our volunteers and how our charities and non-profit organizations depend on their support to provide services to Canadians who need them most.

Volunteers look beyond their circumstances to be there for others and while this has always been the case, we need to show our gratitude particularly for their efforts during COVID-19 .

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to sign up for the National COVID-19 Volunteer Recruitment Campaign, and volunteer with other organizations – because large or small, each act makes a difference as we work together to fight this pandemic. Read the Prime Minister’s statement and the Government of Alberta Statement

On behalf of our team at the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, we thank our board members who are providing countless hours of volunteer time to support our COVID-19 efforts, our committee members who help us throughout the year and to all our community volunteers who help this community thrive. We appreciate everything our volunteers do for our community and we thank you for your hard work, selfless contributions and dedication.

Call to Action: Help us Thank our Volunteers:

Highlight individuals, teams or projects by sharing volunteer stories through video and photos on social media and use #YXHheroes to help us spread the word
Email a volunteer with a personalized thank you or provide gift cards for takeout as a token of recognition.
Write a reference letter for a volunteer who is applying for a job, internship or school program.
Nominate an outstanding volunteer for an award such as Stars of Alberta to formally recognize their efforts.

Advocacy

Initial survey results are in

Today, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), and Community Futures Alberta released preliminary findings of the COVID-19 and low oil prices business impact survey. The survey is open for Alberta businesses to share their insights through Sunday, April 26. If you haven’t already filled out the survey, you can do so here.

There’s also still time to take the National Business Survey here until this Friday, April 24th.

Feature Webinars

Start Up Canada: Great Customer Service Is A Habit, Not A Moment

In this Webinar, Shari Moss will open your eyes to the true fundamentals of amazing, attentive customer service, and give you a leg up on your competition every single day.

April 21st at 10:00 am MST. Register here.

Start Up Canada: How to Activate your Wise Woman Inner Power

Learn the skills you’ll need to pull all your true power together to do what needs to be done. With insights from Linda Babulic, and by trusting your instincts, you can activate your inner energy, power, and strength to overcome virtually any obstacle.

April 23 10:00 am MST: Register here.

Learn about online shipping and eCommerce with Freightcom

Maybe you've decided that ecommerce is an option for your business as you get through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. With products to deliver to your customers, what is the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective way of getting those goods to your buyers? Delivery needs vary as do the specifications for parcels and pallets. Our Essential Business Partner (EBS), Freightcom, will deliver a webinar on April 24 at 2 p.m. (ET) to help you get a handle on their shipping services and how they can deliver for your business. Freightcom will provide an overview of their services that provide deeply discounted rates with North America's top shippers.

April 24th 12:00 pm MST: Register here.

New Resources

Interactive map for commercial truck drivers

Truck drivers can now use an interactive map on 511Alberta to find open restaurants, restrooms and showers on Alberta highways. The map shows restaurants, safety rest areas and vehicle Inspection stations that have available food, washrooms, showers and/or rest areas.

Support Local Directories

There have been a number of support local directories that have been created to make sure you get the business exposure you need. You can post your information to Things That Are Open from the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, in addition to Operation Support Local from CJCY and Rock 105.3 and Bounce Back Medicine Hat from MinuteMan Press and of course you can find these along with many other local supports and resources on our Chamber Support Local page. If you would like to add your information to our page, simply email membership@medicinehatchamber.com.

New Instagram Feature to Make it Easier for SMEs

Instagram is making it easier to discover gift cards, online food orders and fundraisers so that SMEs can get the support and visibility they need to persevere and navigate COVID-19.

Businesses can share new gift card, food order and fundraiser stickers in Stories and on their profiles. When you see gift cards or food orders, you can tap to make your purchase through the partner’s site. Fundraisers will open on Facebook to a personal fundraiser created by the business owners or their supporters. More information.

#YXH2Gether

Share your stories and resources with us and on the YXH Business Support Group. and connect with us for any questions you have.

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” – Denzel Washington

For more resources visit our COVID-19 page