March 24 | 2020
THIS WEEK AT THE KELOWNA CHAMBER
UPDATE FROM YOUR CHAMBER                          

Just a short note: as of Monday March 23, we’re still here at the Chamber, the lights are still on, and we’re working on behalf of our members.

We’re of course following the orders from the Provincial Health Officer and are combining working in the office with working at home, but we’re available. We’re in touch with all three levels of government, regularly engaging with the BC and Canadian Chambers, and – we want to hear from you.

What is going on at your business? Unforeseen challenges or some positive news to share? We want to hear from you. We can't promise we have all the answers, but rest assured we will ensure our colleagues provincially and nationally hear your voice and pass that concern onto government.

Contact Dan or Caroline in our office at 250- 861-3627 or email us at hello@kelownachamber.org

We also want to advise those who require Certificates of Origin for their trade documents that we continue to be available to provide certification services to our members shipping goods internationally. Please use our front entrance to adhere to our social distancing policy.
CITY OF KELOWNA PLAN TAKING SHAPE
LOCAL ACTION
  • The City of Kelowna has announced that for now, transit fares will be waived for the next 30 days as passengers use rear-door boarding.
  • Senior staff have been asked to look at ways to reduce the City’s 2020 budget.

INCREASED SAFETY CONCERNS FOR BUSINESS
The City's RCMP Superintendent and Community Safety Director remind businesses that may be closing their offices even for short periods that they should be aware of associated risks.

In a open letter the City says that while community safety is always a priority, as business owners adjust to having employees work from home, reduced hours, or closing in the short term due to COVID-19 precautions, vacant buildings and streets can elevate the risk of property-related crime. 
Check out important crime prevention tips, including info on who to call when you see suspicious activities by checking out kelowna.ca/safety
NEWS FROM THE PROVINCE
Monday March 23: The Province announced a $5 billion relief package for businesses and residents. T he plan includes $2.8 billion is support for individuals and $2.2 billion for businesses.

Supporting People in Business
  • Effective immediately, businesses with a payroll over $500,000 can defer their employer health tax payments until Sept. 30, 2020.

  • The Province is extending tax filing and payment deadlines for the provincial sales tax (PST), municipal and regional district tax, tobacco tax, motor fuel tax and carbon tax until Sept. 30, 2020.

  • The scheduled April 1 increase to the provincial carbon tax, as well as the new PST registration requirements on e-commerce and the implementation of PST on sweetened carbonated drinks, will be delayed and their timing will be reviewed by Sept. 30, 2020.

  • Business and light-and major-industry property classes will see their school tax cut in half. This will provide $500 million in immediate relief for business that own their property and allow commercial landlords to immediately pass savings on to their tenants in triple-net leases.

  • In the longer term, the recovery plan will dedicate funding to particularly hard-hit parts of the economy, such as the tourism, hospitality and culture sectors. The B.C. government is partnering with business and labour leaders to build an economic stimulus plan. The Province has allocated $1.5 billion for economic recovery.

Supporting Workers and People in Need
  • The plan dedicates $1.1 billion to boost the income of people affected by COVID-19.

  • A new B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers will provide a tax-free one-time $1,000 payment to British Columbians who receive federal Employment Insurance (EI), or the new federal Emergency Care Benefit or Emergency Support Benefit as a result of COVID-19 impacts. The workers can be EI-eligible and non-EI eligible, such as the self-employed. The benefit will be paid to B.C. residents, in addition to their federal income supports.

  • The COVID-19 Action Plan takes further steps to boost income supports by increasing and expanding the B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit in July 2020.

  • The Province is freezing B.C. student loan payments for six months, starting March 30, 2020. Federal student loan payments are being frozen as well.

  • British Columbians needing more time to pay their bills can also apply to existing payment deferral programs at ICBC and BC Hydro.
HONORING A COMMUNITY BUILDER
Honorary Chamber member Jim Stuart is being fondly remembered at the Kelowna Chamber this week. Stuart shepherded Kelowna’s transition from farming community to burgeoning city between 1986 and 1996 when he was Mayor; his death at the age of 84 was announced March 23rd.

Longtime Chamber Director Domenic Rampone reflected on Jim's passing:

“Mr. Stuart was the definition of Kelowna and area; he always wanted to do what the citizens needed. I knew him all my life and I am proud that I had the opportunity to work with him during most of my 35 years at the Regional District of Central Okanagan. He definitely made decisions that all the citizens of Kelowna and area should be proud of. He was an outstanding farmer and passionate about the Agricultural industry. I often say to myself when making a decision: ‘What would Mr Stuart do?’ He always had time for everyone, young and old. He will be missed.” 

Domenic Rampone
West Manufacturing Ltd.

(photo courtesy kelownacapnews.com)
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
A little bit of sunshine amidst the dark clouds...

Okanagan Distillery was named distillery of the year at an international spirits competition in Austria this week, claiming 14 medals in the process.

At the World Spirits Awards, where more than 30 countries were represented, Okanagan Spirits took home a rare double-gold medal, eight golds, four silvers and one bronze. It was also the only Canadian craft distillery to be awarded the distinction of “world-class distillery.”

“Not even in our wildest dreams did we imagine that we would sweep the podium with gold in each of the whisky categories, firmly establishing Western Canada’s footing on the world stage,” Okanagan Spirits CEO Tyler Dyck said.
READ THE FULL STORY (via Okanagan Edge)
BUSINESS RESOURCES


  • Download Canada Business App to access small business loans, working capital loans, purchase order financing, COVID-19 guidance and more.

  • To support businesses and help prevent layoffs, the government is providing eligible small employers a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months. The subsidy will be equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. More info coming in April once legislation is passed in Ottawa.

  • To review how the federal government support plan for Canadians and for further details on wage subsidies and emergency support for employees, please click here.

A FEW USEFUL LINKS YOU MAY WISH TO BOOKMARK:
Listing of Public Health Orders from BC Medical Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry: CLICK HERE
Listing of previous orders noted in BC Gov Media Releases: CLICK HERE
Background info on COVID-19 topics from Interior Health: CLICK HERE
Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Business Resilience Page: CLICK HERE
BC Chamber - Business Support Page: CLICK HERE
Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line!
KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org