UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
In this Issue
From your Chamber
  • Chamber AGM

From Local Partnerships
  • Tourism Cowichan is waiving membership fees for 2021 for tourism-related businesses!
  • Sign up for the Poverty Challenge
  • Cowichan Secondary School Replacement Project 
  • Fireside Chat With the Honourable Erin O'Toole Invite
  • Chamber Member invite from Victoria Chamber re: Growing Local
  • Get your local business on the regional government's purchasing radar
  • Cowichan Food Innovation Program
  • Ladysmith Rotary Fundraiser
  • Only a few days left to Dine & Sip Cowichan
Resources for Members 
  • Key updates regarding Government Supports
  • Launch Online Grant Program
  • Statistics Canada/Census Jobs
From your Chamber
RSVP for the Ladysmith Chamber AGM April 14th
Wednesday, April 14th | 9:00am - 10:00am | Zoom

Join your fellow Chamber Members, Directors & Staff on zoom as we reflect on the accomplishments, challenges & resilience of 2020 & share our plans for the future.
With Guest Speaker Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan speaking on Business Support, & Economic Recovery Program & other Provincial Priorities.
From Local Partners
Tourism Cowichan is waiving membership fees for 2021 for tourism-related businesses!
Here is a fantastic opportunity for Ladysmith businesses take advantage of a FREE Tourism Cowichan membership right now. They are working on finalizing the member benefits and recruiting package but for now here is what potential members can count on:
  • A listing on their website under as many categories the business logically fits; all its social media links included in listing
  • Addition to their “members only” distribution list for email communication
  • Addition to Dispatches industry eNewsletter
  • Consideration for travel media requests
  • Access to Eventworks and all special programs they offer, eg. Sip Savour Support, Storm Riders, BC Bird Trail

Businesses that recently became members are now being featured in 4 different blogs coming up: Haltwhistle Cheese, Cowichan Cycles, Good Bite, Shanti Chai Tea, Fat Chili Farm, Neilsen’s Honey, Organic Fair, Wild Poppy, Old Town Bakery, Owl’s Nest Bakery, Crowfoot Collective. Next up is a cycling itinerary TCS is creating as an ad on the Cowichan Grown Farm Map that will feature stops at members’ businesses along the cycling route. All free exposure for their members.
This is our commUNITY – Together to End Poverty Hw-nuts'-ulwum (As One).
Take a Poverty Challenge and share your experience and ideas for actions to end poverty!
Challenge yourself between March 29 to April 9 and then join the Virtual CommUNITY Debrief to let us know your feedback. Your participation in this project will help us create a Poverty Reduction Plan for the community.

Sign up for the Poverty Challenges now through the project website and put yourself in the shoes of a fellow community member living in poverty.  
Cowichan Secondary School Replacement Project - Business to Business Networking Event
Cowichan Secondary School Replacement Project - Business to Business Networking Event

Infrastructure BC is inviting local contractors, suppliers and businesses who might be interested in working with, or providing products and services to the successful Design Builder that will be designing and constructing the new facility.


 These events will also allow the three Design Builders competing for the project to enhance their knowledge, understanding and awareness of the local goods and services available and to begin developing relationships with local contractors, suppliers and businesses. 
Fireside Chat With the Honourable Erin O'Toole Invite from Nanaimo & Victoria Chambers to all Island Chamber Members
Virtual Chat • Q & A • Moderated by Bruce Williams, Victoria Chamber
Presented by Nanaimo Chamber
Sponsored by MNP

All Island Chamber Members are invited to join the Nanaimo Chamber for a 2021 Fireside Chat with Honourable Erin O'Toole where he will be speaking on the Opposition's perspective on federal government, response to the pandemic, the federal budget and the future.

Don't forget to submit your questions to the Leader in advance!
Learn more here: http://bit.ly/3s5Q61M

Island Chamber Members Promo code for registration is:
Island Chamber Members
Ladysmith Chamber Member Invitation from the
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Tue, Mar 30 | 12 PM to 1 PM
The emergence of the pandemic and subsequent panic buying in grocery stores highlighted the reliance modern societies have on national and international food distribution systems.
Hear from Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries about how new policies, programs and technology are helping increase food security, support urban agriculture systems and the growing realization that when people Buy BC they are supporting food production, jobs, and sustainability in our communities. Read More...

Ladysmith Chamber Members can register as a non member and apply the promo code "Ladysmith" at payment to get a special $10 ticket price.
Get your local business on the regional government's purchasing radar
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is developing a directory of local businesses delivering community values to be used for more immediate and routine purchasing needs. Businesses will be able to get their name onto this directory by completing a simple form through a Request for Information (RFI) process that the CVRD has launched in partnership with the Coastal Communities …
Participation is easy with these three steps:
  1. Register for a free vendor account in the CVRD’s e-sourcing platform, Bonfire
  2. Download and fill out the RFI form
  3. Submit the RFI using the Bonfire platform before April 30, 2021 at 4:00 p.m
The CVRD is hosting an online information session on April 1, 2021, at noon, for an overview of the process, a walk-through on completing the Request for Information forms and to answer questions. 
Cowichan Food Innovation Program
Don’t miss out - apply by March 31st!
Are you looking to build your community through food entrepreneurship? Do you have an incredible food business idea that you’d like to develop towards launch, or do you want to take your existing business to the next level? We have news for you!

Economic Development Cowichan has partnered with Spring Activator to bring you the Cowichan Food Innovation Program. This free, 12-week virtual program launching in April consists of business incubator and accelerator streams to catapult the region’s food and beverage entrepreneurs to new dimensions of flavour.

Interested? Learn about the program at ecdevcowichan.com and apply by March 31! 
Support Ladysmith Rotary Club & Disaster Aid Canada Projects!
Only a few days left to Dine & Sip Cowichan
The event is hosted by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and includes Chamber Members Fox and Hounds and Ironworks Café & Crêperie.

This year the program includes wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries!

Participating venues offer a range of inspired dishes and beverage tastings at special pricing, and take-out options for those who prefer dining at home.

March 3rd to 31st!
Dine & Sip Cowichan is another great opportunity for locals to enjoy the tastes of the Cowichan Valley.
Resources for Members and more...
Here are the latest key updates regarding government supports
Government Announces Extension of Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) - March 22nd, 2021: The deadline for new Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) applications is being extended from March 31st to June 30th, 2021 to help small businesses. This applies to any new applications for CEBA loans of $60,000, or to new applications from businesses that have already received the $40,000 loan and intend to apply for the additional $20,000.

Workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27th, 2020 to September 25th, 2021. In addition, self-employed workers who have opted in to the EI program to access special benefits are now able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555. This change is retroactive for claims established as of January 3rd, 2021 and applies until September 25th, 2021.
Launch Online Grant Program
Have you heard of launchonline.ca? Does your business need to create an online shop or improve your e-commerce experience to attract new, local customers and expand to new markets? If your answers are yes, then check out launchonline.ca. Grant funding is now available through B.C.s Economic Recovery Plan.
Statistics Canada / Census Jobs
 The census paints a portrait of Canada's population and the places where we live. Information from the census will ensure that your community has the data it needs for planning schools, daycare, housing, hospitals, emergency services, roads, public transportation, and employment skills training.
Statistics Canada is currently hiring approximately 32,000 people for census enumerator and crew leader positions across Canada. Be part of a great undertaking and join our 2021 Census team!
  • For more information on the jobs available for the 2021 Census and the hiring process, please visit the 2021 Census jobs FAQ.
  • For any questions regarding the online recruitment application, please refer to the Online job application FAQ.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce works with many partners to create and improve business opportunities for our members
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(250) 245 - 2112
33 Roberts St
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