Advocacy
The Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program will provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing. Read more about the COVID-19 federal and provincial government support actions to date here .
BCAP was expanded to cover mid-sized companies with larger financing needs. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $50 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million. Through the BCAP, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with private sector lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions. Read more about the COVID-19 federal and provincial government support actions to date here .
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has advocated for a wide-spread and extensive provincial infrastructure plan. The SCC applauds the Saskatchewan provincial government on the announcement of Building a Strong Saskatchewan. This $7.5 billion investment in infrastructure will be a important recovery measure for the province. Read more here .


Western Economic Diversification received an explicit mandate in the 2019 Federal Budget Plan to undertake consultations and scope out plans for large-scale water initiatives on the prairies that could carry forward the South Saskatchewan River Project. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has been a long-time supporter of water infrastructure on the prairies.
Read more here .


The WD’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund aims to help western Canadian businesses cope with the financial hardship resulting from COVID-19.
Go to the eligibility criteria for:
Please consult the guidelines before applying. Inquiries can be sent via email: [email protected] .
The federal government announced effective immediately, a new and temporary policy that will drastically reduce the time it takes for a temporary foreign worker (TFW) to start a new job. While this policy is in place, a worker who is already in Canada and has secured a new job offer, typically backed by a labour market test, can get approval to start working in their new job, even while their work permit application is being fully processed. This will cut what can often take 10 weeks or more, down to 10 days or less. Read more about the COVID-19 federal and provincial government support actions to date here .
Resources
The Government of Saskatchewan is working with businesses to help them through the COVID-19 crisis. Please go to Saskatchewan.ca for up-to-date, accurate information on COVID-19 and links to provincial and federal programs and services to help businesses and workers cope during the crisis. Businesses can contact the Business Response Team:
1-844-800-8688, [email protected] .

The WIL wage subsidy covers up to 50% of a student’s salary to $5,000 or $7,000 for under-represented groups and, is stackable with other programs such as Mitacs. Resources for the ICTC program are here:
  • ICTC's WIL Digital Program Eligibility Checklist here.
  • ICTC WIL Digital Program Application Guide here.
  • ICTC Canada's Growth Currency Report here.
Events & More
In 2020, the ABEX Awards will be shifting from its traditional celebration of Saskatchewan business success to recognizing businesses and individuals who have become Saskatchewan’s everyday heroes. Nominate a business or individual for a 2020 ABEX Award here .
The Saskatchewan Chamber has partnered with Hudson Energy & JustEnergy to offer members reduced energy rates on your corporate natural gas bill. Find out more about the program and how to save on your energy bill here .
The Being the Changemaker conference will take place at the Saskatoon Inn on November 30 – December 2, 2020 . This event will connect Saskatchewan business and economic developers in November. Read more .

Sask Business in the News
Westcap Mgt. Ltd. has donated $250,000 towards the purchase of over 330 iPads, and the cost of the data plans. The iPads will be distributed to SHA long-term care homes across Saskatchewan. Read more here .
The 32 food banks across Saskatchewan require urgent additional resources to continue serving the community while protecting staff, volunteers and clients.  Food banks are experiencing up to 60% increase in the number of users as a result of the COVID-19 State of Emergency.  While the number of users has increased, the amount of food donated and the number of volunteers available has decreased as people choose to stay home.
Please join us in ensuring no one is hungry during these difficult times. $50 feeds 1 family for a week.  Donate here . 
Mid-March, 2020, sports as we knew it, came to a halt due to Covid-19. But, during this time, those missing sports, have been able to enjoy conversation about sports thanks to The Rod Pedersen Show. The show pushes, the audience continues to grow, as we wait for sports to return. Read more about the Rod Pedersen Show here or watch the Rod Pedersen interview with Steve McLellan here .

Indigenous Engagement Charter
Nick Crighton, Director of Indigenous Engagement at the chamber, has taken this time of self-isolation to virtually get together with thought leaders who continue to make positive advancements to Indigenous engagement in our province. Watch the interviews here .

Praxis Consulting conducted a survey to better understand the perspective on COVID-19 from Indigenous people in Saskatchewan. Read more here .

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