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Update / Mise à jour: COVID-19

August 17, 2020

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Good morning / Bonjour,

(le français suit)

Thank you for following along with our updates. As always, please let us know if you would like to be removed from our list, or if you have contacts that should be added.

While you all work hard to rebuild and recover – know that we’re still in your corner. While we continue to find new ways to support you and your business throughout our economic recovery, we’re also encouraging Canadians to shop local and support small businesses in their communities!

Yesterday morning, Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, announced Canada and the US have agreed to extend the temporary restriction of all non-essential travel across the Canada-US border another month until September 21, 2020. This will ensure the ongoing flow of essential goods and services between our two countries. We will continue to work with the United States to make the right decision to keep Canadians safe.

Also yesterday, our government announced a pathway to permanent residency for asylum claimants who have done extraordinary work to give back to their communities – by working on the front lines in the healthcare amid COVID-19.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Friday, August 7th

Last Friday, Statistics Canada released updated job numbers, which showed Canada gained 419,000 jobs last month. These job numbers are a testament to the hard work and resiliency of Canadians in the face of this pandemic. It’s also the 1st time jobs data was disaggregated by race and visible minority status, which will help us address inequities and ensure our recovery is inclusive. We know that there is more work ahead, and we will continue supporting Canadians into recovery. 

Sunday, August 9th

Sunday marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a time to celebrate and  recognize the achievements and resilience of Indigenous peoples, and reaffirm our commitment to meaningful reconciliation. On this day, our government announced an additional approx. $41 million to directly support Indigenous entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country. This builds on our recent emergency funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs, and will make a real difference as they work to rebuild and recover.

Monday, August 10th

Canada continues to stand with the people of Lebanon as they begin to rebuild their lives and their city in the wake of the tragic explosion in Beirut. We are:

Tuesday, August 11th

On Tuesday, our government launched an improved Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy online calculator. As a business owner, this can help you prepare ahead of applying for the new upgraded and expanded wage subsidy – which will be open for applications on August 17, 2020.

Wednesday, August 12th

We know that rural broadband and internet connection is more crucial than ever because of COVID-19 – whether you’re a business owner or entrepreneur pivoting more of your business online, or an individual needing to keep in touch with family and friends. The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications (CRTC) announced the first five projects that will receive $72 million in funding from the Broadband Fund to improve Internet access services to more than 10,100 businesses and households in northern 51 communities, the significant majority of which are Indigenous.

Thursday, August 13th

On Thursday, we released the CETA Joint Committee Report for SMEs – learn more about how Canada and the European Union are expanding trade opportunities for entrepreneurs and all Canadians through the progressive Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

Our government announced the creation of the new Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, that will provide up to $31 million to support communities and local governments in adapting to this new post-COVID reality, and develop solutions that respond to the economic, health and social challenges arising from COVID-19.

Also, our government announced the $50-million Surplus Food Rescue Program. It’s the first-ever federal government program that will provide millions of pounds of quality, nutritious, surplus food to Canada’s most vulnerable populations – while also supporting producers, farmers, and businesses in agriculture who have had trouble selling their food to restaurants!

WHERE TO START:

To get the help you need: 

  1. Visit our government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website for information about supporting your employees and your business.
  2. Contact your local financial institution. Since we know most small businesses have a relationship with their local financial institution already, we’ve worked with the financial sector to increase their lending capacity to support you in this challenging time. They are an excellent first resource.
  3. Consult the Canadian Business Resilience Network, a partnership between our government and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to help your business prepare, persevere and prosper through this crisis.
  4. Check out the new PPE Supply Hub – Canadian businesses in need of personal protective equipment, and businesses looking to sell these supplies can go to this hub to connect.
  5. Make the POST Promise to show employees and customers that you take COVID-19 prevention seriously by practicing key health and safety steps and maintain a safe workplace.

THE TEAM:

For assistance at any time, please reach out to the team member below who represents your region. Based on the current volume of email, if you reply to this email directly without copying the appropriate regional team member, my response may be significantly delayed.

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