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Opening public spaces will help business serve Greater Victoria

Innovation led by business is the best way we know to find solutions to the most difficult challenges we face. It's why The Chamber fully supports exploring the use of public spaces to create room for our restaurants and retailers to create exceptional new experiences for customers.

At its Thursday council meeting, the City of Victoria will be looking at new ideas to help businesses working to safely restart our economy as we continue to make our way through the COVID-19 crisis.

Victoria mayor Lisa Helps wrote a column in the Times Colonist encouraging everyone in the region to help businesses, specifically those that have been devastated by the restriction on international tourists.

"That’s why council is considering making it easier for pubs and restaurants to open in public spaces, including streets and squares," Helps stated. "It’s why we’re looking at amending bylaws to make it possible for retailers to sell their goods and services outside their storefronts. And that’s why we’ll ask staff to create more space for pedestrians in the downtown and in village centres, among other measures."

In recent weeks, we have seen people in parks and beaches across Greater Victoria enjoy our spectacular setting while heeding the provincial health officer's advice to socialize with "fewer faces in bigger spaces."

The Chamber encourages the District of Saanich and City of Langford to adopt their own policies allowing citizens to enjoy goods and services in public spaces.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures, and maybe we'll find a better way to keep doing business in the long-term.

City of Langford: Member since 2019

District of Saanich: Member since 2019

City of Victoria: Member since 1962

Federal loans announced to help large companies survive crisis

The federal government announced a new program today designed to help Canada's largest employers get through the economic downturn.

The large employer emergency financing facility (LEEFF) provides bridge financing for organizations with annual revenues of more than $300 million that can't secure conventional financing.

"Ideally, private-sector lenders are adequate for the needs of large businesses. But in an extraordinary situation when that isn't always enough, we must act to prevent massive harm to Canadian workers and families and the Canadian economy," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his morning update. "We will not allow millions of people to lose their livelihoods because of unprecedented events that were beyond their control."

Wage subsidy to be extended in an effort to keep people in jobs

The federal government is expected to announce an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The subsidy covers 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15. The initial end date was June 6, but will be extended by several months in a move aimed at keeping people in jobs.

“The more people get back on the payroll, the less people we anticipate accessing the (Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit)," said Carla Qualtrough, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion in an interview on Global. The minister said government will make the announcement within the next few weeks, and could also announce an alternative to the CERB.

Meanwhile, with June 1 rapidly approaching, commercial tenants and landlords are still waiting for more information on how to apply for previously announced rent relief. After an initial announcement, there has been no update for commercial tenants struggling to pay rent because of reduced revenue. The Chamber continues to call on all levels of government to ensure the continuity of businesses that have closed or reduced services in order to abide by regulations brought in because of the pandemic.

Still waiting for application details on commercial rent relief

With June 1 rapidly approaching, commercial tenants and landlords are still waiting for more information on how to apply for previously announced rent relief. After an initial announcement, there has been no update for commercial tenants struggling to pay rent because of reduced revenue.

The Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance will be administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. It will provide forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners so that they can reduce, by at least 75%, rent (for April, May and June) owed by small business tenants hurt by the pandemic.

The Chamber continues to call on all levels of government to ensure the continuity of businesses that have closed or reduced services in order to abide by regulations brought in because of the pandemic.

Taskforce holds first meeting on regional recovery plan

We are days away from taking a huge step to restart our economy — but what will that mean for your business?

The Chamber will continue to provide communication and advocacy through our newsletters and events to help you navigate these unprecedented times.

Chamber CEO Catherine Holt is also participating in the Rising Economy Taskforce, a large group of regional stakeholders who met for the first time last week.

The South Island Prosperity Partnership is coordinating the taskforce, which will split into committees focused on creating a regional economic recovery plan.

South Island Prosperity Partnership: Member since 2017

Unemployment numbers shocking but not unexpected

The staggering unemployment numbers in Greater Victoria and across Canada are shocking, but not surprising in light of the economic shutdown required to control the rate of COVID-19.

Greater Victoria continues to have among the lowest unemployment rates in Canada —7.2% compared to 13% nationally.

Chamber CEO Catherine Holt spoke with CFAX this morning about the struggle regional employers are having to keep employees, especially our tourism and hospitality sector.

Over 200 Jobs posted to Chamber Job Board to date

Our expanded Job Board has posted more than 200 jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

When we heard from members in need of staff to provide essential services, we repurposed our job board to connect with people in our region looking for employment. We’re working hard to bring people together — after all connections are what we do best.

At this time, employers are able to post at no charge by using the code SUPPORTYYJ.

If you have any difficulty posting, email us and we will get back to you by next business day. All jobs posted to our job board have been vetted by a member of The Chamber team.

Let us know about updates to your hours or services

We've created a webpage to help your customers keep track of updated hours and services as a result of COVID-19. If your changes are not yet listed, email [email protected] to have your information added.