April 7 | 2020 BUSY WEEK AT THE CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTED BY WEBINAR

This week we launch our re-branded Business Smarts Online webinar series. We are fortunate to have a couple of the best policy experts in the Chamber network joining us. Ian Faris will provide an update from the Canadian Chamber while Dan Baxter of the BC Chamber will run through provincial initiatives. This will be a FREE Webinar to any interested business though you will still need to register in advance through our events page. See the webinar details below. We also wanted to let you know that while many of the Chamber team are working remotely, we are available to help any company that needs a Certificate of Origin for their trade documents. Just contact the office in advance to ensure we are ready to process your request in a timely manner. If you have any questions or comments about Chamber operations or if you just want to share a good news story about a responsive business please email us at hello@kelownachamber.org and we will feature some of those stories in our weekly e-news and in our COVID weekly update that goes out Thursday morning. Everyone is facing this challenge together and its important that we stay as positive as we can and support each other. And we also want to send out a sincere thank you to those members who have renewed their membership with the Chamber despite facing uncertain times. Your investment helps us ensure your voice and the voice of the entire business community is heard in Ottawa, Victoria and at City Hall. We have been around since 1906 but only because of the gracious and continued investment of business leaders like you.

LOCAL NEWS AND RESOURCES

COVID-19 WEBINAR Thursday, April 9 @ 9:30 am Our popular Business Smarts program is going online starting this week. During the current crisis our webinars are open to Chamber members and non-members. The webinar will also be recorded and posted on our website for those not able to join live. Here's all you need to know to join in: Government Response Programs Canada Emergency Response Benefit Employment Insurance Temporary Wage Subsidy Q&A Guest Speakers Ian Faris , Senior VP of Chamber Network Relations and Advocacy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Dan Baxter , Director of Policy & Government Relations, BC Chamber of Commerce Cost: FREE No cost to attend for any business in the Kelowna area whether you are a Chamber member or non-member. Advanced registration through the Chamber website is required. FREE WEBINAR REGISTER NOW

CITY OF KELOWNA MAKING CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Kelowna City Council has approved moving forward on the following financial relief initiatives in light of the current disruption: The 10 per cent penalty for late payment of property taxes is moved to Sept. 1, although those who can meet the current property tax due date of July 2 are urged to do so. Property taxpayers on monthly payment plans can request auto-withdrawals be put on hold until Aug. 31 Waive interest rate charges on utility bills until Aug. 31, and customers on monthly payment plans can request a hold on auto-withdrawals during the same period. Interest on Accounts Receivable (i.e. permits, licenses, rents) are waived until Aug. 31 Collection agency efforts on outstanding accounts receivable customers as well as parking tickets are suspended between until Aug. 31

BDO TOP 40 UNDER 40 RECIPIENT: MANIK DHIR

Manik Dhir moved to Kelowna in 2013 where he acquired his first business at the age of 26; Hollywood Market, a commercial real estate plaza with several businesses. He is also the managing director of Epitome Holdings Inc, which owns several commercial real estate assets throughout BC. Manik is passionate about making a difference in our community and as such he donates his time by volunteering on the board of directors for Rotary Centre for the Arts as well as an Ad Hoc Member on the Finance committee for the KGH Foundation. Manik has his Masters Degree in Management from UBC Okanagan, his Post Grad Diploma in Applied Project Management from SFU and Graduated with Distinction in Operations Management - Industrial Engineering from BCIT. You can read Manik's full story on our WEBSITE .

BI-WEEKLY BUSINESS PULSE CHECK COMPLETED

BC Chamber of Commerce Launches Business 'Pulse Checks' In collaboration with our partners at the BC Chamber and the Business Council of British Columbia we are conducting ‘pulse check’ surveys every two weeks on BCMindreader.com, to find out how businesses are faring in the age of COVID-19, and how your needs are evolving. The first went out last week.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS: In the past two weeks alone, approximately half of nearly 2,000 businesses surveyed have experienced revenue decreases of 75% or more, while two-thirds have seen revenues drop by 50% or more.  Nearly one-third are planning to cancel or have had contracts or tenders cancelled, while a quarter will defer or cancel capital projects in the next two weeks. More than 50% of businesses are concerned they will be insolvent or not have the fiscal capacity to restart their business. Businesses are trying to pivot with 23% increasing efforts towards online, digital, or e-commerce options. Businesses tend to expect the economic rebound in their market will be slow (55% versus 14% - fast) but a sizable group is unsure (31%).

READ FULL RELEASE

COVID BUSINESS RESOURCES

CANADA EMERGENCY RESPONSE BENEFITS NOW LIVE Canadians can now apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. READ MORE

CANADIAN CHAMBER LAUNCHES BUSINESS RESILIENCY NETWORK In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has launched the Canadian Business Resiliency Network. The Prime Minister recognized the effort during his Monday briefing noting the good work the Canadian Chamber network has undertaken to establish the CBRN. On the website you’ll find the latest information, tools and resources #Cdnbiz need to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic . LEARN MORE

Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line! Email: communications@kelownachamber.org .

KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org

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