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Update / Mise à jour: COVID-19

August 31, 2020

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Good evening / 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.

Yesterday evening, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, virtually co-chaired -along with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh—the 9th annual ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada consultations.

As trading nations, ASEAN countries and Canada know that building comprehensive and inclusive trade partnerships benefit our businesses, our peoples and our economies—especially as we work toward economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Monday August 24th

On Monday, Minister Ng toured British Columbia virtually to meet with local small businesses, including NZ Technologies and 1Qbit, med-tech companies who are innovating to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the day, Minister heard directly from businesses the challenges and opportunities they face amid the pandemic, particularly when it comes to exporting to international markets, and how our government can continue to support them.

Also on Monday, Canada welcomed the unanimous decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision on United States duties on Canadian softwood lumber. Our government will continue to work closely with the provinces and our softwood lumber industry to defend the forestry sector and its workers.

Also on this day, the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant program opened for applications through the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

Tuesday August 25th

On Tuesday, Minister Ng toured Ontario to meet with local small businesses, including GUM Products International and Bluewrist – businesses who are adapting to meet the needs of Canadians through COVID-19. Minister Ng also visited York University where she announced an investment of over $250,000 in funding for the Entrepreneurial Leadership and Learning Alliance (ELLA), to support women entrepreneurs in the York Region. Also on this day, she met with CanExport funding recipients to learn about their made in Canada products and how they`ve used CanExport programs to go global.

Also on this day, our government, along with Alberta, announced a joint project to improve infrastructure, support community development, and build a greener and stronger future for Albertans as we rebuild from COVID-19.

On Tuesday, our government announced new temporary changes to the Canada work permit program, which will help temporary workers and employers facing labour and skills shortages amid COVID-19, including those who provide important goods and services that Canadians rely on.

Our government also announced an investment of $82.5 million in mental health and wellness supports to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improving access and addressing growing demand, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wednesday August 26th

On Wednesday, our government announced up to $2 billion in support for provinces and territories through the Safe Return to Class Fund. We know the past few months have been especially hard on students who have been physically separated from their friends, and on parents who have had to juggle work and childcare. That’s why we’re supporting provinces and territories as they work to ensure the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year.

Also on Wednesday, the Minister visited a family-run business African Soul Food in Gatineau, along with Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull–Aylmer, to discuss how trade is benefiting their business and how the government can continue to support businesses on the road to recovery.

Thursday August 27th

On Thursday, Minister virtually toured Montreal and visited three women-owned small businesses and Femmessor members—Happy Yak, Pourvoirie St-Zenon, and Tissus Garceau—to learn about their hard work and resilience amid COVID-19. They discussed how the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and other emergency government supports are helping Canadian businesses like them on the road to recovery.

Also on Thursday, our government announced over $1.5 million in funding for the Outaouais region, helping business owners with their operating expenses as we begin the road to recovery.

Friday August 28th

Yesterday, Minister Ng attended a roundtable with Elevate Canada, to listen to entrepreneurs in health tech and life sciences, learning how our government can better support them now and grow Canada’s innovation ecosystem in a post-COVID economy.

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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