June 25 | 2020
CHAMBER NEWS & COVID-19 UPDATES
ON THE LOCAL FRONT
Kelowna Chamber Calls for (and gets) Clarity on BC/Alberta Inter-Provincial Travel
The Kelowna Chamber is pleased the Premier listened to the Chamber's urgent request to show leadership in letting the public know that travelers from Alberta are as welcome as ever, provided they adhere to safe distancing and health protocols that are in place. The same request was made of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in a letter the Chamber sent off to the two Premiers late last week.

Albertans have been contributing to the economic and social well being of many of the Interior’s communities for decades and the welcome mat should remain in place. While the provincial border has remained open, the Kelowna Chamber wanted the Premier to make it clear travel from Alberta (or the Yukon) is permitted and indeed welcome as long as visitors follow health guidelines that remain in place.  To listen to yesterday's announcement by the Premier on the issue CLICK HERE

The Chamber is hopeful local leaders follow suit and put out the welcome mat. The Chamber has also made it clear that the actions of a small minority who are targeting those with an out of province license plate and making them feel unwelcome, is simply wrong and deeply offensive to fellow Canadians. 
TODAY: Business Smarts Online - Leading Remote Workers with Sage Transitions
What does the future look like for your employees and your business? What have you found to be challenges and concerns when leading your team remotely? Our new global reality requires us to improve our digital communication strategies in order to engage our workers in an effective way.

Join us this morning from 9:30am- 10:30am when we chat with the team at Sage Transitions and dive into their research and experience in leadership and remote working. There will also be a book giveaway during this event, so be sure not to miss it!
The City Announces a Summer Return to Sport & New Guidelines
The familiar sound of teams cheering each other on will slowly start to return to sports fields in Kelowna this summer in accordance with BC’s Restart Plan. At the request of the Province, viaSport has led the creation of Return to Sport Guidelines on how to resume sport while operating safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modifications include staggered start times, limiting shared equipment and maintaining distance from other players where possible. Visit the City of Kelowna's website to register for a summer sport league, and to LEARN MORE.
UBC Okanagan Seeking Partner Businesses for Strategic Internships
The UBC Faculty of Management is pleased to support the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program, which supports students at all levels (undergraduate and graduate) to undertake a paid experience with a small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) or not-for-profit organization to help them restore or modify their operations in a new business environment disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Faculty is seeking community partners within the Okanagan interested in participating to make an investment of $2,500, be a small to mid-sized organization with less than 500 full-time employees or a non-profit organization, and have a project in mind that will address one or more aspects of strategy for the organization.
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ON THE PROVINCIAL FRONT
A Call for Action: BC Business Leaders Urge Labour Minister to Act Swiftly to Avoid Terminations & Bankruptcies within Business Community
Organizations representing almost all of British Columbia’s 500,000 businesses are frustrated by Labour Minister Harry Bains refusal to appreciate the severity of current business challenges. As a result, there is increased risk of bankruptcy and insolvency for thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profits across our region and the province as they are forced to pay out severance costs due to the unforeseen circumstances brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The business community is extremely disappointed and calls upon Minister Bains to immediately revisit his decision and to extend the temporary layoff time limits to August 31, 2020, bringing BC into line with the federal government’s recent Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) extension and temporary layoff time limit amendments made recently in other provinces to facilitate recovery from COVID-19.
TODAY: BC's Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery with Andrew Wilkinson
Members of the Kelowna Chamber are invited to an exclusive virtual town hall with BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson this afternoon from 2:00pm - 3:00pm, presented by the BC Chamber of Commerce. Discussions will centre around the effects of COVID-19 on provincial politics and our economy, what British Columbia's recovery should look like, and how we can be best positioned to succeed in the post-pandemic reality. There is no cost for the event, but registration is required. Registration closes this morning at 11:00am.
Questions About Your Rent? Learn About Commercial Leasing in the COVID-19 Era
Join the BC Chamber of Commerce tomorrow, Friday June 26 from 12:00pm - 1:30pm as they discuss navigating commercial leases in the time of COVID-19. Rent is one of the most significant expenses for most businesses in BC. The pandemic has forced many businesses to make difficult decisions, including whether they can pay rent.

This webinar focuses on explaining the federal government’s CECRA program, how to negotiate with your landlord, and what the future looks like in terms of commercial leasing. The panelists include two leasing lawyers and a policy expert. Registration closes today at 5:00pm.
ON THE FEDERAL FRONT
Expanded CEBA Applications Not Yet Available for Applicants
Please be aware that the applications for the CEBA expansion, which the Federal Government had indicated would become available late last week, have not yet become available. Finance Minister Bill Morneau tweeted the news late last week, indicating the government is working to launch as quickly as possible. We will continue to keep you informed as a new launch date becomes available.
#TimetoTravel: An Open Letter to Ministers to Resume Safe Air Travel
Business leaders who represent hundreds of thousands of Canadian businesses have written an open letter to the Prime Minister and Premiers calling on them to reopen the country to air travel in a safe, smart and measured way. Air travel is not only an important piece of tourism into our region but is a key economic driver for the entire Canadian economy.
Canada's Workforce Marketplace: Supply Chain Opportunities & Resources
Many supply chain professionals have been displaced as a result of our shifting economy and changes to the supply chain sector. The Supply Chain Workforce Marketplace is a tool to assist those seeking new opportunities or businesses who are searching for talent. It is a free and open resource to help ensure visibility to the available supply chain talent across the country, and to help keep Canada connected and moving.
Retail Council of Canada Resources for your Retail Business
CBRN partner, Retail Council of Canada (RCC), has created useful resources for those in the retail sector. Most recently, the RCC has made available the guide of Top 5 lists for successful re-opening in apparel retail and dine-in restaurants. VIEW THE RESOURCES.
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org