Daily COVID-19 Update: May 26, 2020
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Supports for Business
Contribute To The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Consultation
The Government of Canada is reviewing the CEWS program, and input from businesses is required to inform potential changes to the program to best meet the needs of businesses and their staff. You can participate via a short online survey or by email. Deadline to participate is June 5, 2020.
Canada Revenue Agency Extends Filing Deadlines For Corporations And Trusts
The CRA has extended deadlines for T2 Corporate Income Tax Returns and T3 Trust Income Tax Returns that had been due in June, July or August. Those returns are now due September 1, 2020. As previously announced by CRA, any income tax balance due on or after March 18 and before September 1 is also now due by September 1, 2020. More information.
Supports for Individuals
Alberta trims training for barbers
Alberta has expanded the hairstylist apprenticeship program to include barber certification, enabling apprentices to choose the path that best meets their needs. The new barber certification path enables apprentices to streamline their training and achieve certification in half the time. Hairstylist apprentices wishing to switch programs or who are currently working as a barber can receive credit for training they have already completed. Previously, barbers would need to complete the full two-year hairstyling apprenticeship program in order to earn a credential. The new barber program is a 12-month term, with 10 weeks of classroom instruction and 1,450 hours of on-the-job learning. Read more.
Youth Employment and Skills Program Enhanced to Create New Positions in the Agriculture Sector
The government today announced an investment of up to $9.2 million to enhance the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) and fund up to 700 new positions for youth in the agriculture industry.
The YESP will provide agriculture employers up to 50 per cent of the cost of hiring a Canadian youth up to $14,000. Indigenous applicants and those applicants hiring a youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 per cent of their costs.
Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities. Employers may apply for this funding retroactive to April 1, 2020, with projects to be completed by March 31, 2021.
Application forms are available through the Youth Employment and Skills Program, or to get more information, please contact aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or call: 1-866-452-5558.
Community Supports and Resources
Provincial Government Returns to Legislature
A 2020 spring sitting calendar for MLAs was drawn up for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic with a return on May 27. At least 10 pieces of legislation will be introduced this session, including affirming parental rights to make important choices about their children’s education, strengthening public safety and cutting red tape.
MLAs will continue to practise physical distancing while in the chamber, where possible, and every effort will be made to ensure limited contact between members, media and legislature staff in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. In returning to more normal operations of the legislature, the government will ensure democratic accountability while making every effort to reduce contact between members.
Department of National Defence Calls on Innovate Solutions to COVID-19 Challenges
the Department of National Defence (DND) announced today the first of a series of calls for innovations aimed at addressing some of the key challenges Canada is facing.
With an initial commitment of $15M, the first three challenges focus on:
- Viable and effective processes and methods for safely and rapidly decontaminating enclosed work environments (e.g., buildings and modes of transportation) containing sensitive equipment;
- Innovative material and designs to aid in decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), operational clothing and equipment for personnel responding to events involving biological hazards; and
- Data gathering solutions to support the early detection and community-based monitoring of outbreaks of contagious diseases.
Innovators are encouraged to consult the IDEaS program website for more information on the challenges and how to apply to the program. The call will be open until June 23, 2020, with contracts expected to be awarded this summer.
Virtual Town Hall for Elementary and Secondary Students
The Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, will take part in a Virtual Town Hall meeting. The Minister will answer questions from elementary and secondary-level students.
The event will be broadcasted live on Facebook at @ 7 am
Advocacy
Travel, Tourism And Hospitality Sector Last To Fully Recover From COVID-19
The Canadian Chamber survey with Statistics Canada revealed that the travel, tourism and hospitality sector will be one of the last to fully recover as consumers face new, post-COVID, realities. The federal government has taken some action to help firms whose businesses are primarily seasonal through the form of a $1-billion regional relief fund. This funding will clearly help but, inevitably, businesses in this sector will require more targeted support. We are working to ensure they have the resources they need to get through this period of uncertainty. Read the statement from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Letter to Premier Kenney on temporary commercial eviction protection
Ahead of month's end, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, CFIB, Restaurants Canada, and Retail Council of Canada today issued a letter calling on Premier Jason Kenney to put in place temporary commercial eviction protection for tenants who were in good standing with their landlords prior to the COVID-19 pandemic
New Resources
Update on PPE for non-AHS services
As of July 1, businesses and non-AHS organizations will be required to access PPE directly through suppliers.
Groups that have already received or submitted a request for PPE from the Provincial Operations Centre or Alberta Health Services can continue accessing supplies, subject to availability and for a fee, from May 25 until June 30. Requests received and being fulfilled may be subject to fees.
This timing will help support these groups as they transition to other PPE suppliers.
With the PPE supply chain improving and with more companies now developing PPE, the Alberta government is focusing the supply of critical PPE to organizations that are at the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19. This includes hospital workers, first responders, and those working in publicly funded or contracted homeless shelters, seniors care facilities, and disability agencies. The Alberta Biz Connect web page can help organizations and businesses source their own PPE supply. For more information, visit the Alberta Emergency Management Agency web page.
Alberta Health Services Town Hall FAQ
In follow up to the Albera Health Services town halls that took place on May 14th and 15th, the AHS has attempted to answer many of the questions that they were unable to fit into the virtual sessions. You can visit alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx and view the general workplace guidance for business owners here. You can also submit questions through alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx. The advice provided in the document is current as of May 21, 2020. Please check back often to the BizConnect and the Alberta Health Services websites, as information is updated frequently.
Facebook Canada Launches Grant Program And New Supports, Totalling Nearly $3.5 Million For Small Businesses
Small businesses are the pillars of our communities and, right now, they need everyone’s support. Today, Facebook Canada launched a program with nearly $3.5 million in support for small- and medium-sized businesses in the Ottawa-Gatineau, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal regions. From grants and virtual training to enhanced resources and new product features, this is Facebook Canada's way of giving a hand to those who give our communities so much. The deadline to apply for the grants is Tuesday, June 2.
Resource Hub for Youth Focused Virtual Programing
RBC Future Launch has launched a new, online resource hub dedicated to youth-focused virtual programming and learning opportunities – RBC Future Launch at Home.
#YXH2Gether
Share your stories and resources with us and on the YXH Business Support Group and connect with us for any questions you have.
Recognize your heroes by using the hashtag #YXHheroes.
Honour your everyday heroes through the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Awards program. Nominations can be submitted online.
“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” ― Roy T. Bennett
For more resources visit our COVID-19 page
On Demand Webinars
Alberta Bits & Pieces Webinar. Watch Now.
Canadian Business Resilience Network Video Content
13 Ways COVID-19 and Your Business Part 1: Watch Now.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Explained: Watch Now.
Conflict Escalation & What to Do About It. Watch Now.
Crowdfunding through COVID-19. Watch Now.
Destination Canada: The Visitor Economy: Watch Now.
BDC Economic Pulse (April 20): Watch Now.
How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business. Watch Now.
How to Navigate Government Programs with KPMG. Watch Now.
The Importance of Human Resources & Being Strategic When Your Business is Being Temporarily Impacted. Watch Now.
Keeping Your Company and Employees Secure When Working Remotely. Watch Now.
Leading During a Crisis and Switching to Remote Work. Watch Now.
Maintaining Sales in the face of COVID-19. Watch Now.
Relaunching Your Business. Watch now.
Rent Relief in a World of the Coronavirus: Watch Now.
Shopify E-Commerce Tools. Watch Now.
Social Media in Crisis. Watch Now.
Understanding, Accessing and Optimizing the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Watch Now.
What To Feel When Stressors Collide, With Canada Life. Watch Now.
Working From Home During COVID-19. Watch Now.
Webinar Series
AMHSA, CSSE, Howatt HR, AUMA Mental Health Webinar Series. Click here.
APEX Alberta Webinars: Watch the recorded series
BDC Webinar Series. Click here.
BusinessLink: View upcoming events.
Buyandsell.gc.ca: Learn how to find bid opportunities. Register now.
Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Watch Now.
CPA Small Business Webinar Series. Click here.
CPHR Alberta: HR Pandemic Essentials. Click here.
Conference Board of Canada Webinar Series: Mental Health and COVID-19. Click here.
Constant Contact Webinar Series: View the line up of sessions and register.
D2L Webinar Series: Digital Transformation for Associations. Watch Now.
Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Wednesday weekly: Business & Economic Recovery During the COVID-19 Crisis
Free Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)® IDS™ sessions. Register here.
International Economic Development Council Webinar series. Watch now.
Retail Council of Canada
StartUp Canada Women Entrepreneur Webinar Series: Click here.
Travel Alberta Webinar Series. Watch Now.
Upcoming Webinars
May 27: Funding programs for tourism businesses. Register here.
May 27: APEX Alberta: Everything DiSC Workplace. Register here.
May 27: Digital Strategy in a Time of Crisis. Register here.
May 27: BBB Digital Marketing in the Face of a Pandemic. Register here.
May 27: Marketing Your Business Re-Opening. Register here.
May 28: How to Safely Reopen. Register now.
May 28: Work-Life Wellness for Entrepreneurs: During & Beyond the COVID-19 Crisis. Register here.
May 28: Succession Planning Webinar. Register here.
May 28: Alberta Tourism Town Hall. Register now.
May 28: Alberta’s Economy in a COVID-19 World, hosted by Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist at ATB Financial
May 28: Adapting your Business Plan in a Crisis, Presented by CPA Alberta. Register here.
May 28: EDC Webinar: Manage Your Cash Flow And Ramp Up For Business. Register here
May 28: Leverage EQ techniques to nurture customer trust. Register here.
June 3: APEX Alberta: Personality Dimensions – Sales and Customer Service. Register here.
June 3: BBB Financial Options for Small Businesses. Register here.
June 3: Destination Canada – COVID-19 Research Webinar. Join here at 1:00.
June 3: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Maintaining Sales During COVID-19. Register now.
June 4: Cash Flow Management in Times of Uncertainty Webinar. Register here.
June 10: Post-COVID Employee Benefits. Register here.
June 10: Bow Valley College - Intermediate Facebook marketing. Register now.
June 17: APEX Alberta: Everything DiSC Productive Conflict. Register here.
Don’t forget Joe Social Media – Free Social Media training from May 1 – June 30 (times vary). Register here. Use promocode: Resilience
Check out more events on our Pandemic Training Calendar