As we step into February, please find below the latest update from our team. We value our connections with every stakeholder, so please continue to stay engaged with us.
February 1st marked the start of Black History Month, first introduced 25 years ago by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons. Keep an eye on my social media pages as I highlight Black entrepreneurs and Black owned small businesses across the country. Read this article by Minister Ahmed Hussen in the Toronto Star on “What Black History Month means in 2021.”
Minister Ng has been busy engaging counterparts around the world to strengthen trade ties and ensure our supply chains remain open and resilient so Canadians have access to goods like food, and essential vaccines and medical supplies.
- Last week, following the EU’s announcement of a mechanism affecting exports Minister Ng spoke with counterparts at the EU and its member states to ensure Canada’s vaccine shipments would not be affected. Following those conversations our expected shipment of vaccines arrived without delay.
- In addition to her meetings with the EU and member states, Minister Ng attended a WTO ministerial meeting where they discussed global trade and economic recovery.
- As of February 1st, Canada’s largest financial institutions began offering the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program, offering low-interest loans of up to $1 million.
- Minister Ng spoke with Canadian women industry leaders in Cleantech at the Trade Commissioner Service’s Cleantech Global Workshop.
- Minister Ng spoke with industry leaders in Singapore about opportunities to invest in Canada. Read about our work to strengthen trade ties in Singapore’s Straits Times.
- Today, Minister Ng met with leaders in Canadian infrastructure for the inaugural meeting of the Global Infrastructure Advisory Roundtable about international market access for the sector and how growth and job creation will be key to our economic recovery.
- Tune in this week to Minister Ng’s Facebook page this Thursday at 8:00PM EST as she celebrates Lunar New Year with colleagues across the country.
Across government, we have been working to ensure Canadian families, workers, and small businesses have access to the support they need through the pandemic, and laying the groundwork for a sustainable, inclusive recovery.
- Don’t miss your chance to share your idea on the 2021 Budget at letstalkbudget2021.ca! Deadline to share your ideas with our government is February 19th.
- Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Champagne announced our government’s investments into domestic therapeutic and vaccine production, including $14 million for Edesa Biotech in Markham.
- As students and teachers have returned to class, at the end of January Prime Minister Trudeau announced a second installment of the Safe Return to Class fund to support students and staff.
- Last week Minister Mendicino announced the Hong Kong Pathway for students from Hong Kong in Canada to stay and have an impact in Canada.
- This week, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan launched national consultations on the Blue Economy Strategy to create jobs and opportunity in our coastal communities.
Thank you, and looking forward to sharing updates with you again in two weeks.
TO GET THE HELP YOU NEED:
- To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen our economy, download the COVID Alert App.
- Visit our government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website for information about supporting your employees and your business.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – for a free online course to provide businesses with all the information they need to reopen safely.
OUR 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.
- Ivana Spasovska, Senior Special Assistant, Regional Affairs and Stakeholder Relations – ivana.spasovska@international.gc.ca
- Zach Nixon, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (Ontario) – Zachary.nixon@international.gc.ca
- Youmy Han, Press Secretary and Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (West and North) – youmy.han@international.gc.ca
- Arevig Afarian, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (Quebec) – arevig.afarian@international.gc.ca
- Chris Zhou, Special Assistant, Regional Affairs (Atlantic) – chris.zhou@international.gc.ca