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Update / Mise à jour: COVID-19

September 14, 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.

Big news this week with the Prime Minister, Minister Ng, and Greg Fergus, Chair of the Canadian Caucus of Black Parliamentarians, together announced Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program – an historic investment to ensure innovative and resilient Black-owned businesses in every corner of the country can grow and thrive for years to come.

This announcement would not have been possible without the work of Black-led business organizations, whose voices have been vital to ensuring this Program meets the needs of Black Canadians. We are also so pleased to work with many of Canada`s financial institutions, who have stepped up with commitments to provide additional liquidity for Black entrepreneurs.

We are working quickly to share more information on this program, including criteria and application process.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday September 8th

Canadian business owners are resilient and working hard to adapt to these challenging and unprecedented times so they can serve their communities and provide good jobs. As we work together to recover from COVID-19, our government announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to continue giving small business owners rent relief. Visit cmhc-schl.gc.ca to learn more!

Wednesday September 9th 

While COVID-19 has restricted travel, we’re not letting that stop us from empowering women entrepreneurs with new international export opportunities! On Wednesday, Minister Ng joined the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF) to launch Canada’s first-ever virtual trade mission to South Korea for women entrepreneurs.

Thursday September 10th

On Thursday, Minister Ng virtually met with the Jeune Chamber De Commerce de Montreal to discuss the crucial role of today’s young entrepreneurs in our economy, and how we’re going to be there for them on the road to recovery.

On Thursday evening, Minister Ng attended a Canada- ASEAN Business Council event focused on opportunities for Canadian businesses in Singapore. We will continue to help our innovative businesses explore trade and investment in Singapore, drive an inclusive and sustainable economic recovery, and build on our strong ties with the entire ASEAN region.

Also on Thursday, on World Suicide Prevention Day, our government announced funding for 32 community-based projects aimed at improving mental health. This $11.5 million investment will help organizations across the country promote mental health and wellbeing in our communities, and tackle systemic challenges and barriers, including people who are disproportionally affected by COVID-19.

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.
  6. Consult the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety– for a free online course to provide businesses with all the information they need to reopen safely.

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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