Dear Chamber Family,
July 1st marks an important milestone for us in many different respects.
As a province, we are stepping into a new and welcomed phase of the BC Restart Plan with even less restrictions than previously expected. This allows us to look towards a more open economy and a brighter future....finally. We must continue to be steadfast on the measures that will continue to keep us safe and healthy while also respecting the space and time everyone needs to adjust, especially our local businesses. The one thing for sure is that the momentum of supporting our local businesses must continue.
As a country, Canada Day brings us together to celebrate the unique, diverse and incredible country that we are and strive to be. What has also become ever more clear is the importance of introspection and becoming better educated on the true history of our country and local communities, so much of which was left out of our school books. With the heart wrenching discoveries of unmarked graves of indigenous children that continue to be found throughout the country at former residential schools, we are starting to recognize how untold stories still have a significant and lasting impact today. The stories that we must be open to receive, share, heal from and learn about are from First Nations and also the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, diverse ability communities and more. It may seem like this is not a 'Chamber issue', but it does impact our workplaces and economy. The BC Chamber and Canadian Chamber are putting time and resources to these issues as well. What has been alarming are the increase in outward attacks towards Black, Asian and South Asian communities, especially through the pandemic. The recent and unthinkable murder of the Muslim family in London Ontario should make everyone shudder. It tears at the fabric of not just that local community, but the fabric of who we all are in Canada. As many of you know, the Chamber hosted a Community Town Hall last year on this issue with local business leaders to share their poignant and personal stories. We hope to continue to make space for these conversations and we have created a page of resources. Link is below.
July 1st also marks the beginning of the term of the Chamber's new Board of Directors, each one a business and community leader in their own right. I am looking forward to working with them to continue the important work of the Chamber, especially as we head into our 85th Anniversary!
I hope this weekend, you all have time with your dear ones to enjoy the sun and cool breeze that has come just in time!
Most Sincerely,
Ritu Khanna
|
|
The BC Government has developed a quick and easy guide of the new measures above, which we have also shared on the Chamber's social media. Here are some additional highlights:
-
Safety Plans will no longer be required. The shift now is to Communicable Disease Prevention. Review guidelines prepared by WorkSafeBC, click here.
- Return to normal hours for liquor service at restaurants, bars, and pubs with table limits to be determined by venue and no socializing between tables.
- Reopening of casinos, with reduced capacity and ~50% of gaming stations permitted to open.
- Reopening of nightclubs, with up to 10 people seated at tables, no socializing between tables and no dancing.
- It’s important to consider the comfort level of both staff and customers who may not be fully vaccinated.
-
For more details, click here.
|
|
City of Surrey
July 1
10:30am - 12pm and 6pm
Surrey Canada Day is committed to sharing music, education, entertainment, and the cultural practices of many Indigenous and multicultural artists. You are invited to experience diverse cultural expression, as well as the best of Canada and its hope for the future.
In partnership with #SurreyStoreToDoor, local Surrey businesses are offering exclusive Canada Day discounts for restaurants, retail, groceries and more.
|
|
City of White Rock
July 1
1pm and 7pm
White Rock's virtual Canada Day by the Bay celebration includes performances by country band The Heels, pop duo Fionn and improv comedy group Hilarapy. There will also be a Canada-themed virtual photo booth available all day.
The City is encouraging people to wear orange on July 1 to remember the victims of residential schools across the country. The White Rock Pier will be lit red, white and orange on Canada Day.
|
|
The Chamber has created a special page with links to various resources. We are also looking into offering a course in the fall. Pleas take the quick poll below.
|
|
|
Would you take an 8 wk virtual certificate course (90min/wk) on Diversity, Inclusion & Racism?
|
|
Yes - I would prefer in the evening
|
|
|
|
|
Yes - I would prefer in the morning
|
|
|
|
|
No - not an issue for my business
|
|
|
|
|
No - it's an uncomfortable topic
|
|
|
|
|
No - not enough time right now but maybe in the future
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Business Leadership Course |
|
Don't miss another invaluable educational opportunity for you and your staff offered exclusively by the Chamber network! Better position yourself, your team, and your business for the future by building back stronger with strategy with this new University of Victoria School of Business certificate course.
The course will run Wednesdays from July 7 to August 11, 2021, 11AM – 12PM PDT. For a $700 value, chamber members can register for just $35, and non-members pay $70 – a fraction of the cost!
|
|
Small & Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant - what you need to know:
-
Deadline to apply: Friday, July 2nd
- The BC government is proactively encouraging businesses that have not yet applied to visit the website to learn more and apply if they believe they are eligible.
- Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium sized B.C. businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses.
- This grant can help pay expenses like installing new safety measures, adding e-commerce, and purchasing new equipment. Grants are limited, so apply now
|
|
Member Feature: UNITI's Affordable Housing Harmony Project
Harmony is a much needed 91 home, 6-story rental apartment building in South Surrey for essential workers, seniors, families, people with disabilities, students, and others in our community looking for affordable housing. Click the image to hear more and find ways to support the initiative.
Find out more about Harmony and how you can help, click here.
|
|
Chamber AGM
The Chamber held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 24th, and announced the new Board of Directors. Click the image to view a recording of the virtual AGM and get an introduction to our new Board of Directors.
To see the full list of business leaders who have joined and their biographies, please click here.
|
|
Find out why the ChambersPlan is rated Canada's #1 group benefits plan for
businesses with 1-50 employees. Ask the Chamber team to connect you with our local representative for a free no-hassle quote or comparison to your existing plan.
|
|
Share this notice within your network with those who might find the information useful. For further inquiries, contact the Chamber team at 604-536-6844 or [email protected]. For more interesting updates and information,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
