Dear Members,

As has already been relayed to everyone several times throughout the pandemic, one of the greatest challenges for the Co-op has been the fact that we’ve been ineligible for any rent relief on our Granville Island store, despite its closure for over two months. Over the past few weeks, it was looking like CMHC’s efforts to receive additional funding, which would allow them to refund our rent, were about to bear fruit. However, their request has been stalled and we have just received a communication from the Granville Island Business and Community Association (GIBCA), in which they are asking us to participate in a letter-writing campaign.
 
Every one of us has a vested interest in seeing the store succeed so I strongly urge you to send a letter to the PMO and the local MP if at all possible. For us to have paid three months rent on a store that was making no sales has been very, very difficult. Although the store is now open, there will be virtually no tourism this summer so we do not anticipate seeing anywhere near our usual summer sales. A refund of rent paid and rent relief for the remainder of the year would go a very long way to ensure our survival.
 
GIBCA suggests adding some personalised information in the sample letter, which could be something like: “I am a member of the Circle Craft Co-op and have been selling my work in the Co-op’s Granville Island Gallery for xx years. These sales represent a significant part of my income and I am very concerned about the current viability of the Gallery, given its recent closure during the pandemic and the anticipated drop in tourist traffic this summer.”
 
Thanks all. Following is the communication from GIBCA.


Circle Craft Board
It has come to our attention that CMHC's request for a one-time allocation of funds equal to a full year of their operational budget is being held up in the Prime Minister's Office. It is critical that CMHC receives this in order to support us, the direct-tenants, the small businesses, artists, non-profits, and cultural organizations that make up the heart of the island.

We are asking everyone to email, fax or phone the Prime Minister's Office, Dr. Hedy Fry's Office, and the office of your local Member of Parliament and ask them to please support and approve CMHC's request.  Please do it as soon as you can as the timing is absolutely critical.  Below is a sample letter which you can use as a guide. It would probably be best to include a little description of your organization and history on the island.

Prime Minister's Office
Attention Alana Opalick
Executive Correspondence Officer for the Prime Minister's Office
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900  email:  PM@pm.gc.ca   

Dr. Hedy Fry's Office
Dr. Hedy Fry
phone: 604-666-4466 phone 2: 1-613-219-3306
Sample Letter

March 23, 2020 
Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry
Suite 112 – 1030 Denman Street 
Vancouver, BC V6G 2M6  

Dear Dr. Fry,  

As Granville Island is located within your riding, I am writing to seek your support for CMHC's emergency request for funding equivalent to operation costs for one year in order to help them support the myriad of small businesses, artists, and cultural organizations that call Granville Island home.

First, thank you for your support in ensuring that the head lessors on Granville Island are included in CECRA as this enables them to help their tenants cope with the loss of revenue caused by the initial shutdown that was necessary to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. However, this program does not include the direct tenants of CMHC which includes many long-time artists, small businesses and vendors. Because of the shutdown of the island during the initial crisis and its gradual re-opening, CMHC has not received its normal streams of revenue. On top of that, in order to successfully re-open, they will need funds for safety, security, increased communication and publicity to let people know that Granville Island is safe to come back to.

There are over 350 businesses on the island and over 3,500 people work here. It is the number two tourist location in Canada - visited by over 10.5 million people a year. Stanley Park is the heart of Vancouver but Granville Island may be its soul. It is an incredible and deeply loved people's place and is treasured by Vancouverites and people from across Canada and around the world. 

The Government of Canada owns Granville Island and it is managed by CMHC on behalf of all Canadians. Please help ensure its survival by supporting CMHC's much-needed request for funding.

With respect and sincerely,