We respectfully acknowledge that we conduct our Business on the
Unceded Territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.
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We are unapologetic for our support of business and the vital role it plays in building and supporting our incredible community.
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The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce continues to Advocate on behalf of the Business Community in Port Alberni..
Over the past few days:
- Conversations with our MP on programs needed and further suggestions
- Phone meeting with 6 Business Members, Chamber CEO and Hon. Scott Fraser MLA
- Online meeting with Canadian Chamber of Commerce twice this week with agenda including how the programs being offered need to be adjusted for better access
- Weekly meeting with BC Chamber in preparation for the BC Government initiatives
- Crafted letter to Finance Minister Hon. Carol James with 8 points of consideration for the BC Government aimed at assisting the Business Community
- Developed AIR TABLE listing of local Businesses that are either open, closed or partially open so that the community can locate this information on one spot
- Completed Calls to more than 300 local Businesses as part of a joint effort between ourselves, City of Port Alberni and Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot.
- Negotiated AVCOC preferred rates for our Businesses to use with PRAGMATIC.
- One local Society that meets frequently with a large board of Directors has received PREFERRED CHAMBER RATES resulting in a 69% rate reduction.
- One local Society that now must meet online and typically has upwards of 15 people for 2+ hours has received a PREFERRED CHAMBER RATES resulting in a 53% rate reduction.
- Currently summarizing Survey Results to assist local leaders in how best to assist from a municipal perspective.
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Government Programs: Do you qualify?
- Work Sharing. This is a program worth considering if you have a multitude of employees and are seeing reduced sales
- 2 years in business
- Private, publicly held or NFP
- Decrease in revenues by 10% or more
- Grants, Memberships, Donations are not part of the equation
- Recovery plan must be included.
- Emergency Wage Subsidy of 75%
- Program designed for companies hardest hit by the pandemic
- Coverage up to 3 months retroactive to March 15
- All Businesses except those in public sector
- Must demonstrate a reduction in revenues of 30% or more
- NOTE: For non-profits and charities, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their specific circumstances.
- Maximum benefit of $847. per week per employee. No maximum for the company
- Employers to make best effort to top up the wages
- Canada Emergency Business Account
- $40,000 Interest Free Loan
- Qualifying Businesses include those with payrolls between $50,000. and $1,000,000.
- 25% of the loan ($10,000) is FORGIVEN if balance ($30,000.) paid by Dec 31, 2022.
- Loans extending beyond Dec 31, 2022 would be converted to interest bearing and the $10,000. would not be forgiven.
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit
- Self employed eligible under this program
- Must have earned at least $5000. in previous 12 months
- Must have been without income due to COVID - 19 for at least 14 days in the initial 4 week period
- Suitable for small businesses with Self -employed people who are NOT conducting business of any type through this period
- * This is an issue that the Chamber is working on with Government. It is our opinion that Government needs to encourage Business Owners to develop new revenue streams (such as online) but Government also needs to recognize that success won't happen overnight.
- $500. per week benefit (payable monthly)
- BC Emergency Benefit for Workers
- B.C. residents who receive federal Employment Insurance, or the new federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit are eligible
- a one-time $1,000 payment to people who lost income because of COVID-19.
Chamber is advocating for Removal of EHT, delay of Min Wage Increase, More tax relief (not deferrals),
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Tourism hit hard - help is on the way.
Keep up to date on programs aimed at the important Tourism and Small Business Sector. In a collaboration between Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET), Tourism Vancouver Island (TVI) & Innovation Island Technology Association (IITA)
With funding from ICET, two response programs have been set up with regional partners to help the tourism sector and other enterprises with rapid recovery in the face of economic and operational challenges.
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The RCMP have created some valuable tools for you as Business Owners to use in these unique times.
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As many learned today the Federal Payroll Relief fund is not for all. If you don't feel that you qualify please take a serious look at what CFAC have to offer.
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From the Office of the Premier
Premier’s task force to support B.C. economy during, after COVID-19
Backgrounder updated on April 2, 2020
A new Economic Recovery Task Force will bring together leaders from
business, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits
to help ensure the Province’s economic response to COVID-19 is effective and responsive to the needs of British Columbians.
The task force, which will help advise the cross-government economic response to the COVID-19 crisis, will take the form of a weekly conference call between Premier Horgan; Carole James, Minister of Finance; Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness; other members of cabinet and leaders from business organizations,
including the Business Council of B.C., BC Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Board of Trade, Surrey Board of Trade, the BC Federation of Labour, First Nations organizations and the not-for-profit sector.
After an introductory conference call last week, the task force will begin its work starting Thursday, April 2, 2020.
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#StayHome #EducateYourself
#E-CommerceEssentials #FreeWebinar
#VancouverBoardOfTrade nar
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Cutting a new way forward - Port Alberni's SAN GROUP - Feature Business - Canadian Forest Industries.
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Moments before Adrienne presented with Ambassador of the Year award - January 2019
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With deep respect & forever gratitude
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Earlier this week we received news that we lost one of the most wonderful women we've had the honour to work with. Ms. Adrienne Beauregard was an AMBASSADOR for the Chamber of Commerce where she volunteered many hours over many years with us. She especially loved being at the front counter to welcome Visitors from all over the world. She also took over our Food Service Program at the annual Paper Chase run.
We never failed in that because of Adrienne.
She loved working (didn't get paid) for us during many Chamber led events at the McLean Mill including the 2016 No. 7 Challenge, 2017/2018 Tri-Conic Challenge, 2018 Easter/Mother's Day events, 2017, 2018 Jeepers Creepers, 2018 Wine Train, 2017 Breakfast with Santa events, and so much more. And when we didn't keep her busy....you'd find her behind the counter at a Bulldogs game or helping out with Community Policing. RIP Adrienne you were loved by many.
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