Daily COVID-19 Update: May 27, 2020
Supports for Business
New Agriculture Training Support Program Accepting Applications
The purpose of this program is to provide support to the agricultural and horticultural businesses and services to help address the impact of COVID-19. The program will provide a grant to eligible employers to offset the costs of training and ensuring safety protocols are in place for new employees hired from the available domestic labour pool. Find more information about eligibility and how to apply for this program.
New PPE Matchmaking Portal Connects Producers With Businesses In Need
As our economy begins to reopen, many businesses will need to access personal protective equipment (PPE) to help keep their customers and staff safe from COVID-19. Sourcing masks, hand sanitizers and gowns is often challenging, especially for businesses that are new to purchasing this type of equipment, especially with unprecedented global demand for PPE. RRP Canada is free to use and provides a matchmaking service to ‘connect the dots’ between manufacturers and businesses in need of PPE. PPE products on the Rapid Response Platform include hand sanitizer, surgical masks, N95 masks, surface sanitizer, face shields and gowns. Find more information.
Two New COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, has two funding opportunities available. One seeks a smart digital exchange platform solution that will connect researchers, health providers and solution providers with the appropriate expertise, materials, devices and information to respond to COVID-19. The second requires a solution for reagents required for nucleic acid sample preparation and rapid and efficient SARS-CoV-2 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) extraction in order to perform downstream molecular diagnostics of COVID-19 with capability to integrate within existing and/or potential microfluidic platforms for sample-to-answer solutions that can be deployed on the frontline for rapid testing. More information.
Community Supports and Resources
City Releases Draft Municipal Development Plan
The City of Medicine Hat has created a comprehensive update to its guiding vision, the Municipal Development Plan. This project, myMH Master Plan, is a 30-year citywide plan putting in place strong and visionary policies to help create a more prosperous, livable and sustainable city.
Due to physical distancing requirements, traditional in-person community engagement events are not possible during this final stage of the project. However, the myMH team has provided several ways for the community to safely explore the policies of the draft Plan and to share their thoughts before it is brought to a statutory Public Hearing at City Council at the end of summer.
Please visit the project website for a digital version of the draft Plan, project information, informational videos, and an online survey, which closes on June 25, 2020.
Reducing barriers for non-profits, charities and volunteers in Alberta
Fill out an online survey to help the Government of Alberta determine how best to remove barriers from non-profit groups, charities and volunteers across the province. The feedback will help define the issues and identify the best solutions moving forward. The survey will remain open until June 26, 2020.
Advocacy
Retail Sector Among the Hardest Hit By COVID-19 According To Our Survey With Statistics Canada
As a non-essential service, and a sector that has traditionally relied on physical in-store contact, the retail sector felt the effects of closures and social distancing from the very beginning of the crisis. Almost 48% of retailers had lost more than 30% of revenue in the first weeks of the crisis and 50% had to lay off staff. Consult the data and read the statement from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Joint Letter To Prime Minister Justin Trudeau On Restarting Canada’s Tourism And Travel Sector
On May 26, 2020, an open letter was sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging the federal government to take measures to restart Canada’s tourism and travel sector. The letter was sent on behalf of Canada’s Tourism Roundtable, which includes the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA), the Canadian Airports Council (CAC), Meetings Mean Business Canada, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Toronto Region Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and Tourism Toronto. Read the statement.
Business At OECD 2020 Economic Policy Survey Results
Business at OECD annually surveys the lead business organization from each of its member countries. Key highlights from the 2020 survey include: 95% of companies perceive the current business environment to be weak versus only 16% in 2019; 75% of respondents expect this economic downturn to be worse than the 2008-09 financial crisis; and only half of respondents view OECD government responses to be sufficient to supporting the economy. Key policy measures needed as we look ahead include liquidity, combatting protectionism and support for labour markets. Find full survey results.
New Resources
It’s Time To Let The World Know You’re Open4Business!
Businesses across Canada are starting to open to their customers. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce team has created signage that can help you let your clients know you’re back and you’re open for business. The signage that we have is available in English and French. You can print it yourself or take it to a local printer. Access the materials.
Signage That Is Accessible To Everyone
People on the blindness spectrum may not be able to read your posted information about your business’s safety protocols. The Checkered Eye Project has prepared tips for businesses to use to improve the accessibility of signs. The project would like to make businesses aware of the checkered eye symbol that some people with low vision wear to communicate their visual difficulties. More information.
Featured Webinars
Planning For Recovery: How To Restart Your Business In The Wake Of COVID-19
Join us June 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET for a live webinar with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). BDC’s Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux will give an economic update and speak about the main business trends that will reshape the way we do business and BDC’s Advisory Services Executive Vice President Peter Lawler will discuss what business owners should be doing now as they ramp up operations, along with providing an overview of the financing support programs and resources available. Register now.
COVID-19: How To Adapt Your Business To Thrive In The New Normal
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting our everyday habits and creating an unprecedented level of uncertainty for entrepreneurs. Join BDC advisory services experts on June 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET as they present a step-by-step approach to managing risks, creating contingency plans and equipping your business with a strategic vision that takes into account the changed landscape. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce will present the results of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions and will discuss how businesses of all sizes are adapting and innovating during this crisis. You will learn how this data can support your decision-making on resilience and recovery. A live Q&A will follow. Register 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.
Recognize your heroes by using the hashtag #YXHheroes.
Honour your everyday heroes through the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Awards program. Nominations can be submitted online.
"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously." - Eleanor Roosevelt
For more resources visit our COVID-19 page
On Demand Webinars
Alberta Bits & Pieces Webinar. Watch Now.
Canadian Business Resilience Network Video Content
13 Ways COVID-19 and Your Business Part 1: Watch Now.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Explained: Watch Now.
Conflict Escalation & What to Do About It. Watch Now.
Crowdfunding through COVID-19. Watch Now.
Destination Canada: The Visitor Economy: Watch Now.
BDC Economic Pulse (April 20): Watch Now.
How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business. Watch Now.
How to Navigate Government Programs with KPMG. Watch Now.
The Importance of Human Resources & Being Strategic When Your Business is Being Temporarily Impacted. Watch Now.
Keeping Your Company and Employees Secure When Working Remotely. Watch Now.
Leading During a Crisis and Switching to Remote Work. Watch Now.
Maintaining Sales in the face of COVID-19. Watch Now.
Relaunching Your Business. Watch now.
Rent Relief in a World of the Coronavirus: Watch Now.
Shopify E-Commerce Tools. Watch Now.
Social Media in Crisis. Watch Now.
Understanding, Accessing and Optimizing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Watch Now.
What To Feel When Stressors Collide, With Canada Life. 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. Click here.
BusinessLink: View upcoming events.
Buyandsell.gc.ca: Learn how to find bid opportunities. Register now.
Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Watch Now.
CPA Small Business Webinar Series. Click here.
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.
D2L Webinar Series: Digital Transformation for Associations. Watch Now.
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Wednesday weekly: Business & Economic Recovery During the COVID-19 Crisis
Free Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)® IDS™ sessions. Register here.
International Economic Development Council Webinar series. Watch now.
Retail Council of Canada
StartUp Canada Women Entrepreneur Webinar Series: Click here.
Travel Alberta Webinar Series. Watch Now.
Upcoming Webinars
May 28: How to Safely Reopen. Register now.
May 28: Work-Life Wellness for Entrepreneurs: During & Beyond the COVID-19 Crisis. Register here.
May 28: Succession Planning Webinar. Register here.
May 28: Alberta Tourism Town Hall. Register now.
May 28: Alberta’s Economy in a COVID-19 World, hosted by Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist at ATB Financial
May 28: Adapting your Business Plan in a Crisis, Presented by CPA Alberta. Register here.
May 28: EDC Webinar: Manage Your Cash Flow And Ramp Up For Business. Register here
May 28: Leverage EQ techniques to nurture customer trust. Register here.
June 3: APEX Alberta: Personality Dimensions – Sales and Customer Service. Register here.
June 3: BBB Financial Options for Small Businesses. Register here.
June 3: Destination Canada – COVID-19 Research Webinar. Join here at 1:00.
June 3: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Maintaining Sales During COVID-19. Register now.
June 4: Cash Flow Management in Times of Uncertainty Webinar. Register here.
June 10: Post-COVID Employee Benefits. Register here.
June 10: Bow Valley College - Intermediate Facebook marketing. Register now.
June 17: APEX Alberta: Everything DiSC Productive Conflict. Register here.
Don’t forget Joe Social Media – Free Social Media training from May 1 – June 30 (times vary). Register here. Use promocode: Resilience
Check out more events on our Pandemic Training Calendar