UPDATES FROM TASK FORCE CHAIRS
|
|
This morning, our Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force (RCCTF) hosted its eleventh teleconference meeting.
Reopening looks different to everyone. This morning, we continued to discuss the careful resumption of many Richmond services and continued support for the community.
In June, the RCCTF will continue to meet weekly, bringing your concerns and thoughts to the table and sharing the information with you and the community at large.
|
|
Task Force Co-Chairs:
Fan Chun (Chair, Richmond Chamber of Commerce) and Mayor Malcolm Brodie (City of Richmond)
|
|
|
|
UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH
|
|
Dr. Meena Dawar, Medical Health Officer, and Dr. Dean Chittock Vice President, Medicine, and Quality and Safety with Vancouver Coastal Health shared:
- Epidemiology: As of yesterday, there were 2,597 cases reported in British Columbia. That is an increase of 57 cases from this time last week. 904 (or 35%) were reported within Vancouver Coastal Health The number of new cases we see continues to decline. That is within the context of a significant increase in testing since mid-April. We are doing a tremendous amount of testing throughout all communities and continuing to see fewer cases.
- Resumption of Elective Surgeries: Vancouver Coastal Health and the Richmond Hospital are ramping up surgical capacity. Everyone who was on the wait list for surgery will be contacted and maintain their position on the wait list.
Resources:
|
|
UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND
|
|
Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Senior City staff shared:
Playgrounds: Beginning yesterday, City of Richmond playground sreopened, in coordination with the broader reopening of schools.
Local Innovation
: One recent example of outstanding local innovation is bioLytical. This company is developing a 1-minute COVID-19 antibody test, and received over $600k in funding from the National Research Council to support this project.
CEWS Extension Survey:
Recent data shows this program hasn’t had as much uptake as anticipated. The Government of Canada is conducting a survey on this program to find out what additional adjustments may be needed to encourage more businesses to participate, as getting people back to work will be key to economic recovery.
https://financecanada.typeform.com/to/IRcmAq.
The City of Richmond is encouraging Richmond businesses to take part in the survey, and those who wish to provide in-depth feedback are invited to answer the questions by email:
fin.cews-succ.fin@canada.ca
.
Resources:
|
|
UPDATE FROM RICHMOND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
|
|
Matt Pitcairn, President & CEO shared:
Provincial Rent Announcement:
Rent continues to be a challenge for businesses. The Province announced that evictions are not possible while the CECRA program is in place, but we still hear of challenges. The 70% decline in revenue is a very high threshold for most businesses to clear, and the eviction moratorium only buys so much time.
Minimum Wage Increase:
The minimum wage increase came into effect yesterday. While the RCC is not opposed to a minimum wage increase (as an organization), this comes at a very bad time for many businesses. RCC is working with members to help them reopen safely and keep the doors open.
Reopening:
The Chamber office is working on its own reopening plan. One thing that’s become very apparent are the costs to reopening. There is an international plexiglass shortage and of course, costs are through the roof. RCC will be reopened next week, running at half capacity. RCC is actively working on getting back to business, hosting a virtual AGM, a modified Golf Tournament, and will be opening the portal soon for the Business Excellence Awards nominations
Resources:
|
|
UPDATE FROM VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY (YVR)
|
|
A
nne Murray, YVR's Vice President of Airline Business Development and Public Affairs, provided the following update:
YVR is pleased to announced that
Larry Berg Flight Path Park
is again open to the public. We look forward to welcoming ask that visitors respect physical distancing while plane spotting, picnicking and playing in the park.
Air Services and Cargo Update:
- We are seeing significant capacity increases for June across the Domestic, Transborder and International sectors. This is led by Air Canada but also WestJet and a number of other airline partners, including our regional airlines such as Air North, Pacific Coastal and Harbour Air.
- In terms of cargo, Chinese carriers like Xiamen Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines continue to bring in daily to multiple daily passenger aircraft operating as freighters with goods such as PPE.
- As passenger services begin to be reintroduced starting this month, the occurrence of passenger aircraft working solely for the purposes of cargo will start to adjust.
Transport Canada announced that cruise ships with overnight accommodations carrying more than 100 persons will be prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. While cruise ship travel is an important part of our business, we always plan for a number of scenarios and this was taken into consideration with our most recent passenger forecast.
Essential Travellers and Airport Workers Only:
YVR is pleased that travellers and employees have been following our guidance that essential travellers and workers enter the terminal building. In addition, Transport Canada requires all passengers to have a non-medical mask or face covering to cover their mouth and nose during travel. Employees cover their mouth and nose with a mask/face covering at airport screening points.
Mark Your Calendars:
YVR will hold its Annual Public Meeting (APM) virtually this year. The APM is scheduled to happen on Monday, June 29 at 3 p.m. We invite you all to join us!
Resources:
|
|
UPDATE FROM RICHMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT 38
|
|
Ken Hamaguchi
with Richmond School District 38 shared that:
- Schools reopened to students on a voluntary basis this week.
- Based on a survey to parents, we expect 4,000 elementary and 2,700 secondary school students to return this week.
- The first group of students started yesterday. A group of students of essential service workers or students with special needs have the option of attending every day, while others will attend two days a week.
- Students not attending school will continue to receive remote instruction at home for the next few weeks.
Resources:
|
|
UPDATE FROM TOURISM RICHMOND
|
|
Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond shared that:
- Here in Richmond, we have been rallying our city for several weeks now – promoting businesses that were open – especially with the launch of the We Are Richmond BC website.
- Many business and restaurants are reopening; and planning to reopen.
- The industry is projecting a slow return to business through the summer – and into the fall and winter of 2021. First customers back are expected to be hyper local/local customers, then regional, then national and finally (when border reopen) US and International travel.
- In the short term, as we move into what will be a quiet summer, and potentially higher activity fall, Tourism Richmond is taking a creative and collaborative approach – with programs and campaigns that are measurable, partnership based, with the ability to pause or stop, depending on the evolving health conditions of the day.
Resources:
|
|
UPDATES FROM RICHMOND'S MLAs
|
|
MLA Jas Johal shared an update on behalf of his colleagues, John Yap, Teresa Wat, and Linda Reid. They are working on:
- The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has now formally opened its Budget 2021 consultation. British Columbians can share their priorities and recommendations for the next provincial budget by making a written, audio or video submission or by completing the online survey by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26 on the Committee's website. Additional information on the work of the Committee is available on the Committee's website.
- Constituency offices are mostly hearing from businesses with questions about how and when they can reopen.
- In the next sitting of the legislature (beginning June 22nd), Mondays to Wednesdays will be regular government sitting (QP, debates, and committee meetings). Thursdays and Fridays will be estimates - a line by line dissection of each respective Ministry and where the spending priorities will be.
Resources:
|
|
MP Kenny Chiu shared updates on behalf of the Richmond MPs:
My office has continued to assist the local community with their concerns regarding aid and assistance programs. These requests have been declining but there are still those with exceptional circumstances that require care. We have also received several requests for letters of support to assist individuals with border crossing issues.
As for what work is being done in Ottawa, the government recently announced that it will accelerate infrastructure funding for municipalities facing financial struggles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government is making the full 2020/2021 Gas Tax Fund available to municipalities in the coming weeks, instead of in two installments later in the year.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer has released costing details for the Temporary Changes to the Canada Student Loans program and Measures to Assist Seniors. These programs see student loans increased to $350 a week with the maximum grant allowance doubled and for seniors to receive up to $500 in a one time payment bonus if they qualify for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
|
|
Superintendent Will Ng, Officer in Charge for the Ric
hmond RCMP shared that:
- Commercial and residential break and enter rate continues to be low.
- One new hate crime is currently under investigation and charges to come.
- School Liaison Officers back to work with schools reopening. D.A.R.E. program is provided virtually on-line and well received by youth
- No staff off on COVID-19
Resources:
|
|
UPDATES FROM RICHMOND FIRE RESCUE
|
|
Chief Tim Wilkinson with Richmond shared that:
- Staff remain healthy.
- RFR is supporting the City reopening plan.
- Building, Business and Tower crane inspections are fully implemented.
- Training and preparations continues in earnest looking forward to the summer season.
- The deliberately set fires have stopped. No arrest to date.
- Emergency response teams are able to respond with no impediments. PPE is at good levels.
Resources:
|
|
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
604.278.2822
rcc@richmondchamber.ca
www.RichmondChamber.ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
