Economic Update - Covid-19 Resource & Information Hub

BUSINESS RESOURCE & INFORMATION HUB

What We Heard – ‘Virtual’ Public Engagement

Recently, the City announced a public engagement process to seek feedback on whether it should continue with virtual public engagement online during COVID-19. Based on what we heard there appears to be a strong appetite to move forward with public engagement work virtually.

Most people who participated said they were comfortable participating online using existing or new tools; however, while engagestjohns.ca can be a primary site for information related to the project, it cannot be the only way people participate. It will be important to ensure people can provide input through other means such as email, phone and live virtual events.

The full report of the engagement is now available at engagestjohns.ca

Reminder - City of St. John's Accepts Permit Applications by Email

The City of St. John’s is committed to providing core services to residents and businesses, as our staff practice physical distancing. Most are working from home with access to email. At this time, the best way to submit your application, permits and nomination to the City is by email. All forms for application and permits can be found HERE . You can find the appropriate email address at the bottom of each form.

If as part of your business with the City you must speak with a staff member, contact - Access St. John’s -

Dial 311 or

709-754-CITY (2489)

Email: [email protected]

Make a payment using a credit card or debit-credit card

Business can also continue to contact - [email protected]

Shop Right Here!

There has never been a more important time to shop right here. Below are some helpful resources which makes it easier to do just that - providing a listing of businesses operating in St. John’s metro, offering contactless services, products and promotions - follow along with -

Downtown St. John’s - What's Open in DT St. John's

St. John’s Board of Trade – Website, Open for Business

Guide to the Good - #MindourBusiness

The Social Distant Club – Website for restaurant listings

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance

Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses has been announced by the Federal Government, which will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50% of three month rent payments payable by eligible small business tenants during April, May and June 2020.

These forgivable loans apply if mortgaged property owners reduce rent payments by 75% for the respective months – which includes a pledge not to evict a tenant while the agreement is in place. The small business tenant would cover the remainder, up to 25 per cent of the rent.

Provinces and territories have agreed to cost share total costs and ensure implementation of the program, with the C anada Mortgage & Housing Corporation administering the program.

Canada Emergency Student Benefit

The Federal Government announced a $9-billion financial aid package targeted at supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canada Emergency Student Benefit will provide $1,250 per month for eligible students or $1,750 per month for eligible students with dependents or disabilities, and would be available from May 1 to August 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency.

The Government of Canada will also expand existing federal employment, skills development, and youth programming to create up to 116,000 jobs, placements, and other training opportunities to help students find employment and develop valuable skills this summer and over the coming months.

Previously, the Government paused student loan repayments and made changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program. For further details click here .

StatsCan survey of Business Conditions amid COVID-19

The Canadian Survey of Business Conditions (CSBC), a joint effort between Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, provides the most detailed insight yet into the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian businesses. Representatives from more than 12,600 businesses visited Statistics Canada's website and took part in the online questionnaire.

The CBSC examined issues like COVID-19’s impact on businesses, how businesses have adapted to the ongoing situation, challenges they continue to face and those they expect as the recovery begins. The results provide an accurate picture of true impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian economy and will inform decision makers in the public and private sector.

For more information about the survey, click here .

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A Business Response Team has been established to support businesses as they prepare to re-open.

Businesses who have questions will be able to email [email protected]

or call 1-833-771-0696

Compensation Available for Private Sector Employers for Staff that had to Self-Isolate due to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

If you are finding it difficult to cope or are feeling anxious, Bridge the gApp offers many services to support your wellbeing - including mental health and wellness webinars.

Learn more at Bridge the gApp

Mentorship, Networking and Employment

Mentorship in the Digital Age: Ten Thousand Coffees at Memorial University

Memorial University’s Alumni Engagement office and Student Life have partnered with Ten Thousand Coffees, a digital mentorship tool that links mentors with students and early career professionals. Duos with shared backgrounds, degrees and skill sets are automatically matched each month and connect on the phone, in Google Hangouts or any preferred conferencing tool. Introductions to students and alumni occur monthly.

Participants must register with Ten Thousand Coffees in advance. Consider mentoring a student today.

Connector NL: Connects local businesses with newcomers & students

Connector NL, a network started by the St. John’s Board of Trade , assists in connecting local businesses and organizations with newcomers and students looking to break into the St. John’s market. The connector benefits from access to pre-qualified talent, while the connectee gains access and insight into the professional network they want to join.

The valuable networking program is about helping people connect and expand their professional networks in Greater St. John’s a nd throughout the province. Visit the St. John’s Board of Trade and Connector NL websites for upcoming online events, links and videos, and webinars.

Looking for a job in the technology sector in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Do you know of a business or organization that is helping in the fight against Covid-19?

Have you heard of a business that is adapting to provide pandemic solutions? – Share these stories of swift ingenuity with Canada and the world & #CanadaResilient

Donations to the Health Care Foundation's -

Covid-19 Response Fund can be made online.

St. John’s company offers free health, safety software in response to Covid-19

To help organizations keep their employees safe during the global COVID-19 pandemic, totaliQ has launched a free light version of its enterprise Expertise Management platform, safetyiQ. The platform allows employees, managers and occupational health and safety professionals to share best practices, templates, lessons learned, Q&A and more.

It will also auto-generate an inventory of each user’s areas of expertise so that collaborators can identify experts in specific topics within this online community.

Organizations or employees wishing to join the online community can do so by visiting https://yourtotaliQ.com .

Verafin Donates $325,000 to COVID-19 Response Fund

The Health Care Foundation has launched a COVID-19 Response Fund to help hospitals under the purview of Eastern Health respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

100% of donations to this fund will help our hospitals purchase items related to Coronavirus-related care. Last week, local tech giant Verafin made a $325,000 donation to the COVID-19 Response Fund.

Virtual Event Listings

Tax Compliance in the world of COVID-19

COVID-19: Navigating our new world with KPMG and nati

Gardiner Centre, Memorial University will share tips and techniques for keeping yourself physically and emotionally well on Wednesdays on Facebook Live .