UPDATES & RESOURCES REGARDING THE COVID-19
COMING SOON:
Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) are working hard to promote business recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Consumer awareness and confidence in business practices will be a key component of successful recovery. The Chamber and the LDBA are here to help. 

We are now very pleased to announce that within the next few days there will be an online directory for the community that will highlight all businesses that are open and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe. The Chamber and LDBA will reach out to the business community as soon as the website is live. In the meantime, if you are business owner manager who would like to be included you can get ahead of the curve by emailing the following information to us:
  1. Your business name:
  2. Phone number:
  3. Website:
  4. Business Hours:
  5. Anything unique about the way you are operating: (For example: shop by appointment, customer limits, curb-side pickup etc.) Please limit your response to 2-3 sentences.
We look forward to working with you and your business as we all try to get back on our feet after this incredible challenge. We Ladysmither’s are a resilient bunch and we’ll get through this … together.
#CowichanStrong Virtual Coffee Chat with Your Municipal Leaders
Wednesday, May 06-11am-12
Join the partners of #CowichanStrong for a Virtual Coffee Chat with Cowichan’s Municipal Leaders, Mayor Michelle Staples (City of Duncan), Mayor Al Siebring (Municipality of North Cowichan), Mayor Aaron Stone (Town of Ladysmith and Chair of the CVRD). Each will provide an overview of what’s happening on the COVID-19 front in their respective jurisdictions. Bring your questions about how municipalities are being impacted by COVID-19, what incentives and supports are available for businesses, and what is planned to support economic recovery in Cowichan.
LDBA / Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle “Yes We’re Open”
Check out the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association (LDBA) and the Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle 2nd shop local campaign. The Ladysmith Chamber encourages Ladysmithers to support local businesses that have stayed open (or who are reopening) with safe guards in place to protect people during the current pandemic.  Here is the flyer has been placed in this week’s Chronicle with updates from local business.
Keeping the Cowichan Valley connected.
Resources, tools and information for businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
What is #cowichanstrong?
Cowichan businesses now have a new resource tool to support them in this time of economic crisis. The   #cowichanstrong   initiative provides a one-stop source for the Cowichan business community to respond, adapt, and recover from COVID-19.
Take 5 Print & Digital Media May Online Edition
CLICK HERE to view the May Take 5 online only edition. In response to COVID-19 this is a temporary measure. They hope to be back soon with online and print editions. In the meantime you can download and read or print it if you wish.
TAKE 5 Print & Digital Media was started in 1997. They are about community by the community.
Colin Sprake: Sales, Marketing and Business Strategies . helping thousands of small business owners pivot through COVID-19
The Ladysmith Chamber encourages you to join this free Business Acceleration Masterclass with Colin Sprake, Make Your Mark. It is sure to be well worth the time!

"This series has become a place of motivation, inspiration, creativity and ACTION. We have served thousands of business owners across Canada with 6 weeks of amazing guests and my personal mentors. Now, it's time to take your LIFE & BUSINESS to a whole new level!"

Thanks Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle for your great article " Colin Sprake helps Ladysmith business owners weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Sprake is offering free business coaching courses for small business owners across the country" READ FULL STORY

Government creates COVID-19 temporary layoff period
Small to mid-size enterprises in BC thank the Government of BC for extending the temporary layoff period to 16 weeks for COVID-19 related reasons. This is a huge 'shared' advocacy win for the BC Chamber and our partners! We are proud to be a voice in this network! #bcbusiness  
The Digital Economy Response  Program  ( DER3 )
It takes time to pivot to the digital economy. Businesses are having to get online and get digital very quickly during this time.
If you know a small/medium sized business, in any sector, that needs to "get digital" to thrive and in some cases survive, have them check out the new DER3 Program that was launched in partnership with Island Coastal Economic Trust.
Encourage them apply and connect with one of our Program Managers discuss their specific digital and technical needs.
"Many companies are trying to do in months, what most online BUSINESSES have done in decades.
"Let's help them make it happen!"
CANADIAN CHAMBER/STATCAN MAJOR SURVEY ON BUSINESS CONDITIONS AMID COVID-19 SHOWS ECONOMIC CLOCK IS TICKING
The  Canadian Survey on 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.
“The survey is Canada’s first comprehensive view into how our businesses are adapting, managing or, sadly, failing as the COVID-19 shutdown continues. Insights from more than 13,000 businesses bring into focus the time pressures businesses face to avoid closing their doors permanently. At the same time, the survey also shows how quickly the businesses that can are adapting to social distancing and preparing for the re-opening of the economy. The survey will provide critical information for governments as they develop and deliver their programs,” said Trevin Stratton, Chief Economist at the Canadian Chamber.
WORKBC CENTRE COWICHAN
WorkBC Centre Cowichan is
here to assist local businesses and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and during post pandemic recovery. Check out the following two key programs available:

WorkBC Centres help people find jobs, explore career options and improve their skills. Together, we help employers fill jobs, find the right talent and grow their businesses Contact us today 250.924.2884. Learn More...
Our Program Experts Answer Your Finance and HR Questions
The BC Tourism Resiliency Ne twork is a long-term resiliency program providing BC tourism businesses with meaningful, one-on-one support to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt and work towards eventual recovery.
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
WEBINARS
COVID-19 WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Preventing exposure to COVID-19 at your business
May 08, 10:ooam - 11:00am / FREE

As thoughts begin to turn toward reopening our economy, business owners must ensure their workplace is taking preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Presented by Chris Back from WorkSafeBC, this informative webinar will cover important aspects of ensuring workplace health and safety for employees and customers alike. Topics covered will include COVID-19 transmision and ways to mitigate exposure, use of masks and other physical barriers, as well as best practices in working from home arrangements.
FREE Webinar Series from Small Business BC / Strategies for Staying Resilient During COVID-19
Faced with significant challenges wrought by COVID-19, resilience is more important than ever for small business owners.
 
As a follow up to our special topics webinar “Staying Resilient During Extraordinary Times” facilitated by Christina Nikiforuk, Leadership Coach and Consultant, we are pleased to offer a three-part next resilience series.
 
Each webinar will feature a small business owner who will share their tools and tips for enhancing resilience. You will have an opportunity to learn what other business owners are doing from both a business point of view, as well as a mental health perspective, during this extraordinary period. Sign up once for the entire package here to reap all the benefits of the whole series.
 
May 13, 10:00am – 11:00am PST
 May 27, 10:00am – 11:00am PST 
Small Business BC 
UPCOMING FREE COVID-19
DIGITAL MEETUPS
We believe this is a time, more than ever, for small businesses to come together to help each other overcome challenges and find solutions.
To help facilitate this, SBBC is pleased to announce our new Digital Meetups, a community video call for small biz during COVID-19. Every Tuesday - Thursday at 11:00AM, we will be hosting a Digital Meetup focused around one pressing issue re:COVID-19: from how to generate revenue, to employment law, all specific to small businesses.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Explained | FREE Webinar with Canadian Chamber
Thur, May 7 | 8 AM to 9 AM (PST)
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was created to help businesses retain their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility requirements, meeting the specific revenue tests, and ensuring your documentation is correct can be complex and cumbersome. Join the #BizResilience team as they tackle common questions and discuss CEWS FAQs with tax partner John Di Liso at   Grant Thornton LLP .
BCEDA Economic Response & Restart Call  
Economic Development & Resilience in the Age of COVID-19 - Concrete Plans & Next Steps for Communities 
Thursday, May 7 / 2:00pm to 3:00pm PST

It's a special edition of BCEDA's weekly teleconference celebrating Economic Development Week! Join us for guest speaker, Steven Pedigo of Resonance as well as the launch of the revised BCEDA Economic Recovery & Resiliency Toolkit.

 An expert in real estate and economic development research and strategy, marketing and place branding, Steven has advised cities, universities, real estate developers, nonprofit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and major media outlets across the globe.

As Vice President, Strategy, at Resonance, Steven leads the economic development practice and works with real estate developers to build more inclusive, creative communities.
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
All upcoming events have been postponed until further notice.
In following the Minister of Health recommendation to practice Social Distancing and to do our part to flatten the curve and keep our team safe, we are primarily working from home. If you need to contact us by telephone, you can call 250-245.2112 (please try, where possible, to restrict your calls to regular business hours) or send an email
33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G1A4 Canada
250-245-2112