Government of Canada Launches Recovery Benefit Applications |
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Earlier this month, the Government of Canada introduced three new benefits, delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB).
Earlier this week, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, opened the application process for the CRSB and the CRCB. Applications for the CRB will be accepted as of October 12, 2020.
To ensure that the recovery benefits provide more targeted support for those people who continue to need it, the application process includes new elements, such as shorter eligibility periods, retroactive periods, and more.
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Government Of Canada Expands Regional Relief & Recovery Fund |
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October 2, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced an additional $263.7 million for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) to help businesses across the West through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF).
This flows from $600 million in new national RRRF funding announced by the Prime Minister last week. Of these additional funds, $67 million will be used by Community Futures (CF) organizations to support businesses in rural communities across the West.
We will be working with the BC Chamber that received funding under this program to help small businesses in the area build their skills to become more resilient and to provide them a bit of a competitive advantage. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting program as it will be available to Kelowna Chamber members this fall.
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ON THE PROVINCIAL & LOCAL FRONTS |
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Destination BC's Tourism Digital Academy - Applications Are Open |
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Destination BC's Tourism Digital Academy is a free, 8-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses who are interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing at an intermediate level.
There are multiple intakes, each running for 8 weeks, beginning the week of:
· October 19 – Applications due by Oct 8
· October 26 – Applications due by Oct 16
· November 9 – Applications due by Oct 30 (with a break over the holiday period)
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More than $150,000 in Art & Culture Grants Available for Local Groups |
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More than $150,000 is available to support local, incorporated, non-profit arts, culture and heritage organizations. Applications for 2021 General Operating and Project Cultural Grants are now open until Monday November 30 at 3pm. Funding is from the City of Kelowna.
There are two grants available for organizations to apply for:
- General Operating Grants are extended to local arts, culture and heritage organizations which do most of their work in Kelowna and who work to advance the goals and strategies of the 2020-2025 Cultural Plan.
- Project Grants are awarded to community organizations which provide a festival, event or project that feature arts, culture or heritage and are accessible to the public.
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NEXT WEEK: Celebrate Kelowna's Resiliency and Business Excellence with Us |
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The nominations are in for our 2020 Business Excellence Awards, and it's time to start celebrating the very best in Kelowna business, and the resiliency within our great community.
First up, we'll be kicking off the festivities with our always fun Finalists Announcement on October 14 at 12:00 Noon. The event will be held virtually this year, and we encourage you to join us, and invite colleagues and members of our community to join us! During the event, we will honour our 2020 nominees and hear the finalists announced for the virtual 33rd Annual Business Excellence Awards.
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BC Votes Decision 2020 - Kelowna Chamber's Virtual All Candidates Forum |
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As BC's snap election draws closer, the Kelowna Chamber will be gathering local candidates for the upcoming election in three back-to-back-to-back virtual forums on Tuesday October 20, 2020.
The confirmed schedule is as follows:
· Kelowna - West (9:00am)
· Kelowna - Mission (12:00 Noon)
· Kelowna - Lake Country (3:00pm)
The forum will be live streamed on the Kelowna Chamber's website at the times listed above. If you want to learn more about the election, or bookmark the page for your calendar, CLICK HERE.
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Chamber Seeking Okanagan Experiences for Member-Driven Valley-Wide Campaign |
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As you may have heard, Chambers of Commerce from throughout the Okanagan have come together under the 'OKanagan We Got This' banner to show that our entrepreneurial spirit cannot be broken, and that together 'we've got this'.
As a part of this campaign we are seeking contributions from 2-3 member organizations to promote local experiences. The campaign will be promoted to members of other Chambers throughout the valley to encourage each other to experience the Okanagan this fall and winter. If you are interested in participating, or for more information, please EMAIL US.
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Grizzly Bear Bistro & Bar Focuses Hyper-Local and Celebrates Opening |
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New local business and proud Chamber member Grizzly Bear Bistro & Bar, recently opened at the Airport Village complex off Highway 97 across Kelowna International Airport. Owner Sundersh Iyer recently moved to Canada with his family, and brings over thirty years of experience hospitality sector from various parts of the world. Grizzly Bear Bistro & Bar is a homegrown brand based in Kelowna offering mainly Canadian / North American cuisine along with a good mix of international flavours, a well stocked bar, and open patio seating. The restaurant prides itself in having a hyper-local focus; procuring beers, wines, decor, art, and ingredients from local suppliers wherever possible, recognizing the importance of supporting local, especially at this time.
Having opened during the pandemic, the bistro has learned to be agile, moving quickly to implement all safety protocols efficiently into their opening plans. They have reduced the seating capacity including plexiglass partitions, follow strict sanitization schedules, and even showcases their menus in their glass top tables for sanitization purposes, while considering their environmental impact in not disposing of their menus after each use. Grizzly Bear Bistro & Bar is open daily from 11am to 9pm (10pm Friday & Saturday). LEARN MORE
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Cybersecurity Risks, Issues and Trends Affecting Canadian Business |
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Cyber security has become top of mind now that a large majority of our workforce is working remotely. Join the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday October 13 from 10:00am - 11:30am for a conversation with a panel featuring three of Canada’s leading cybersecurity organizations. The panel will explore risks, issues, trends and recommendations for Canadian businesses.
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Business Planning In This Period Of Uncertainty |
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In these extraordinary times, business owners are faced with significant challenges. How you can support your selected charities and yourself at the same time? Wednesday October 14 from 10:00am 11:00am, join TD Bank to learn how to effectively manage and increase your corporate and personal cash flows through these extraordinary times.
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Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Email us.
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org |
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