May 1 | 2020
COVID-19 INFORMATION BULLETIN # 9
ON THE LOCAL FRONT
WEBINAR: How mindfulness can help reduce stress
You feeling a bit of stress? This might help.

Thursday May 7, 2020 @ 9:30am - 10:30am
Join us to learn how mindfulness can reduce stress and builds resilience in your organization.

This session introduces individuals to the science of mindfulness, offers simple tools to begin the practice of mindfulness and gives opportunity to experience mindfulness practices firsthand.

GUEST SPEAKER:
IWONA SIENKO , (RN, BScN, MBA),
Healthy Transitions

No charge to participate but registration is required.
Info Relevant to the Okanagan Valley
Chambers of Commerce from the Canada-US border in the south to Enderby in the north, have together launched #Ok we got this – a multi-faceted program aimed at providing an Okanagan-wide approach to helping businesses across the valley deal with and respond to the challenges of COVID-19.

The valley-wide coalition is focused on three primary areas:
  • Providing the business community in the valley with easy access to information
  • Sharing stories of business leaders in the Okanagan who have responded to the crisis
  • Ensuring a unified voice in promoting the value of shopping and investing local. 

Governments play a key role but chambers are singularly positioned to drive local economic recovery: we know how to do this, we’ve got the structure, and we've got people on the ground in every community in the Okanagan.


#OKwegotthis 

Kelowna Chamber COVID Webinars available online
Did you miss one of the webinars that the Kelowna Chamber has produced to help answer some of the questions about government's relief efforts to help small businesses? Don't worry, all webinars have been recorded and are now available to watch at anytime.
TOTA Launches Tourism Resiliency Program
Over the last few weeks, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has been diligently working on creating a new program that directly addresses the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism businesses and helps to navigate the Provincial and Federal initiatives that have been put in place to try and mitigate the effects of the pandemic. READ MORE
Haircuts for Health Care Launches
Untamed locks are an inevitable consequence of almost six weeks of physical distancing but now the Okanagan College Foundation is encouraging those who want to take matters into their own hands, to do so for a good cause. Haircuts for Health Care is inviting people to consider handing the scissors to their spouse. Every chop, snip and buzz will help raise vital funds to open the doors to a state-of-the-art new Health Sciences Centre currently under construction at the College’s Kelowna campus. The Foundation is encouraging people to either donate what they would typically pay for a cut or set a fundraising goal for their network if they go for a more creative new do. LEARN MORE
We Can't Do This Without You.
Now more than ever, your membership in the Chamber is critical for us to continue the work we do in providing business leaders and entrepreneurs like you with benefits that improve their bottom line, connections that drive growth and advocacy that keeps government regulations and red tape to a minimum.

If you are already a member THANK YOU. If you haven't joined us yet just check out the various membership options available to you from President's Circle to Basic Membership and learn how we help grow the people who power Kelowna LEARN MORE
ON THE PROVINCIAL FRONT
BC set to announce plans for restarting economy NEXT WEEK
BC Premier John Horgan along with the other First Ministers released a joint statement this week on common principles for restarting the economy. The statement acknowledges the need for a gradual and phased approach. As governments develop plans to gradually lift restrictions, they will focus on: 
  • protecting the health of Canadians;

  • easing restrictions gradually;

  • protecting high-risk groups (e.g., those vulnerable due to age, underlying health conditions, remote location, close living spaces, and temporary or unstable living spaces);

  • ensuring our public health capacity remains strong to prepare for, and respond to, any future waves of the pandemic, including through enhanced testing and contact tracing; and,  

  • supporting a broad range of economic sectors.
Provincial Orders and Sector Guidelines Available Online
If you run a business that is considering reopening, there are guidelines that must be adhered to. The BC government has an excellent resource page that includes all of the public health orders and guidance for specific sectors. You may want to bookmark this page  READ MORE

This is a great resource for information covering what types of businesses are ordered to be closed and how businesses that are open must operate.

As an example, under the Food & Beverage Sector Fact Sheet it notes in part:

  • Restaurants are now able to also deliver liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal.

  • Breweries, wineries and distilleries that are licensed to serve liquor in their own lounges or tasting rooms are no longer permitted to do so. Breweries, wineries and distilleries, however, may continue to manufacture liquor.

BTW: If you are a member of the Chamber and are reopening, please let us know so we can promote through our Social Media channels.
ON THE FEDERAL FRONT
PM announces partnership with provinces to deliver Commercial Rent Assistance for small businesses
Last week the Government of Canada announced additional details on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses, which will lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been most affected by COVID-19. CECRA will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50 per cent of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing financial hardship during April, May and June. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will administer the program. More details on the program were made available this week   LEARN MORE .
RESULTS ARE IN: National Survey On Business Conditions
The Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, 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 managing as the COVID-19 shutdown continues. In all, more than 13,000 businesses participated – thank you!  EXPLORE THE FINDINGS
National Webinar on Mergers & Acquisitions by KPMG
The CBRN invites you to join professionals from KPMG’s Deal Advisory practice for a live interactive discussion on Wednesday, May 6 at 11 am.(PST) to help you understand how businesses are thinking about their M&A strategies, succession and planning for the eventual rebound as we emerge from lock-down and deploy cash in an era of ultra-low interest rates.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU


  • If you have an idea or concern you would like government to address please send us a note via the Chamber's ONLINE PORTAL

  • If you are aware of a colleague, customer or business going above and beyond during these challenging times, let us know via EMAIL as we’d love to share the news.

  • If you are facing a challenge with a government program you also shouldn't forget to share your situation with your MLA (for Provincial programs) or your MP (for Federal programs) as they are eager to hear your concerns.
Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Email us.
KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org