Daily Update: July 6, 2020

Supports for Business

Bank Of Canada Releases Business Outlook Survey—Summer 2020

This morning the Bank of Canada released its quarterly summary. Results from the summer Business Outlook Survey suggest that business sentiment is strongly negative in all regions and sectors due to impacts from the COVID 19 pandemic and the drop in oil prices. Firms reported that weak demand is reducing both capacity pressures and expectations for price growth. Read the results

Competition Bureau Has Released its Annual Plan

The Competition Bureau has published its Annual Plan 2020-2021. The Plan outlines the steps the Bureau will take in the coming year to protect Canadians in these uncertain times. Protecting and promoting competitive markets in Canada is more important than ever, and the Bureau’s work will focus on sectors of the economy that matter to Canadians, including the digital economy, telecommunications, health and infrastructure.

Through its enforcement work, the Bureau will use all the tools at its disposal to put a stop to anti-competitive conduct across Canada. On the advocacy side, the Bureau will work with policymakers at all levels of government to encourage pro-competitive policies and regulations, particularly as they relate to Canada’s economic recovery. In addition, the Bureau will host its Digital Enforcement Summit Series. The 2020 edition will bring together domestic and international thought leaders who will share information on new enforcement tools, best practices, and emerging issues.

Supports for Individuals

U.S. Customs And Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment Centres

Starting today, conditionally-approved Global Entry, SENTRI and U.S.-Mexico FAST applicants will be able to complete in-person interviews at most Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centres in the United States. That said, NEXUS and U.S.-Canada FAST interviews at U.S. and Canadian enrollment centres will remain suspended until at least August 10. Learn more

Canadian seniors to receive one time tax-free payment this week

Today, the government highlighted that seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), or Allowances will receive their one-time, tax-free payment this week without needing to apply. Seniors who reside in Canada can expect to receive the payment by direct deposit or cheque this week, whereas seniors who reside outside Canada can expect this one-time payment in July for those on direct deposit, or by cheque with delays given international postal disruptions.

Community Supports and Resources

Another 20 million masks ready for distribution

Free non-medical masks will soon be back at A&W, McDonald’s Canada, and Tim Hortons locations across Alberta. Distribution of masks through these restaurant partners will resume on July 13. More details will be included with the official launch announcement. In June, 20 million masks were distributed through restaurant partners, municipalities, long-term care facilities, First Nations and Metis Settlements, and other organizations. Alberta is the only province in Canada to take this important step to help limit the spread of COVID-19 throughout the province.

Pollinator Park Buzzing with Activity

A section of the park has been designated as a Pollinator Park, built to encourage pollinator species, like bees and butterflies, to help naturally maintain the ecosystem. The species planted in this area will promote habitat for native pollinators like bumblebees, butterflies, beetles, leaf cutter bees, and sweat bees.

The City, together with students from the Environmental Reclamation program with Medicine Hat College, have planted native plants, including wildflowers, in an area east of the Visitor Centre. Medicine Hat College Enactus was granted funds from RBC Foundation and Community Foundations Canada and have been gracious contributors with both materials and labour for the project. More information

Changes to Health Legislation

Highlights of Bill 30, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, include:

Supporting and strengthening the work of the Health Quality Council of Alberta so it can drive health system improvements and positive change for patients and families.
Increasing the number of public members on Health Professional Regulatory College councils to ensure Albertans have a stronger voice and greater role in professional oversight.
Streamlining the approval process for chartered surgical facilities to operate so they can provide more high-quality, publicly funded surgeries to help reduce surgical wait times without compromising patient safety or quality of care.
Making it easier for physicians to enter into alternative relationship plans for compensation.
Enabling government to contract with a range of organizations to operate medical clinics so physicians can focus on providing patient care, rather than administration.
Clarifying the role of Alberta Health Services as the province’s single health authority, with Covenant Health as a strategic partner and the largest faith-based health-care provider.
Ensuring the Hospital Privileges Appeals Board continues to have a strong, qualified group of members to review grievances brought forward by medical staff against hospital boards.
Clarifying COVID-19 quarantine requirements under the Public Health Act to clearly articulate that all international travellers must quarantine for 14 days while the related chief medical officer of health orders are in effect.

Advocacy

Does Your Business Use AI Systems? If So, The OECD Wants To Hear From You!

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the lead organization in Canada for the Business at OECD. To support its work, the OECD has launched an AI survey intended to identify and share practical approaches and good practices to further inform the implementation of trustworthy AI systems. The deadline to complete the survey is this Friday, July 10. Take the survey

Featured Webinars

July 14 | Maintaining Business Continuity Through COVID-19 And Beyond, Hosted By Rogers

Join us for a webinar on July 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET to hear from Rogers Product Management executives on how to ensure that your business remains operational and your teams stay productive during these changing workplace environments. Register now

The discussion will cover:

How to equip employees to work safely and effectively from home
How to continue providing the same level of service to your customers
How to access and protect your business data from anywhere

From Far And Wide: Canada’s Accelerated Technology Landscape

Beyond just a surge of innovation, the tech sector in Canada is accelerating in growth and stature. Some of Canada’s fastest growing and largest companies are technology companies. Many of our legacy companies are adapting to digitization, and the need for this transition is even more urgent since the pandemic. The government is perhaps experiencing the greatest evolution of all. But what responsibility does the government hold in this growth? Does participation in this process boost or stifle innovation? How do governments balance a fostering of growth of digital companies with the transformation of our traditional ones? Answering these questions might help us better understand what economic recovery in Canada might look like. July 15 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET Register here

New Resources

Facebook’s Summer Of Support

Facebook has launched a free six-week initiative called Summer of Support, designed to help business owners get the digital skills and information needed to navigate these challenging times. The program will feature a mix of content including free online training and live sessions. Each week will focus on a different theme and highlight different speakers, like basketball legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson, as well as Chairman of O'Shares Investments and television personality Kevin O’Leary. Learn more