Daily COVID-19 Update: June 2, 2020
Supports for Business
Facebook Extends Small Business Grants Application Deadline
We know your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve heard that a little financial support can go a long way, so Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. The application deadline for the Facebook grants program has been extended to June 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Apply here
Enabling Accessibility Fund Now Taking Applications
The government announced the launch of a call for proposals under the newly modernized Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) – small projects component. The modernization of the program will help to better meet the needs of persons with disabilities in building more accessible communities and workplaces, and provide more flexibility to organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides funding to organizations for small-scale construction, renovation or retrofit projects that enable persons with disabilities to live and work in more inclusive and accessible communities. This year, instead of the originally allotted 12 months to complete a project, organizations that apply for funding will now have up to 24 months to complete their projects. Additionally, projects approved for funding will now be 100% funded to a maximum of $100,000. Organizations can apply here
Supports for Individuals
Interest Relief for First Nations
The government announced today that First Nations with existing loans under the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) will receive interest payment relief as a result of a $17.1 million support from the Government of Canada. In response to the impact of COVID-19 on these First Nations, the Government of Canada is working collaboratively with the First Nations Finance Authority to provide financial relief so that the First Nations can focus on the health and safety needs of their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Supports and Resources
Funding Boost for More Playgrounds
Alberta Education recently expanded its playground funding criteria to get more playgrounds built than would have otherwise. This funding comes from the existing capital budget and will support 18 school divisions in building the new playgrounds, supplementing their fundraising efforts. Alberta Education provides grant funding of up to $250,000 per school to support the construction of a playground for eligible projects. School communities that wish to exceed $250,000 can use fundraising to supplement the project. More information
Advocacy
Open Letter To The Prime Minister From The Six Largest Business Associations
As provinces and territories begin to reopen, Canada must prepare to transition to economic stimulus and getting Canadians back into the workforce while ensuring their health and safety. The goal should be to encourage investment and business activities that will generate federal and provincial/territorial revenue, thereby helping to offset the extraordinarily high levels of public spending required during the pandemic. Read the letter
Connectivity Is Crucial To Canada’s Productivity And Economic Recovery
COVID-19 has changed the way we work and how businesses operate, making reliable internet access more critical than ever as the workplace and operations go virtual. Read more about how Canada’s telecommunications networks play a role in the country’s economic recovery in the Canadian Chamber’s latest blog from TELUS. Read more
ACC media release: COVID-19, low oil prices continue to devastate Alberta's business community
As Alberta begins to gradually reopen its economy, recent data reveal COVID-19 and low oil prices continue to devastate Alberta's business community, with many of the impacts worsening as the crisis continues. Read the full release.
Featured Webinars
Watch Now! Webinar: Strategies For How Businesses Can Persevere And Recover From COVID-19
We were joined by CWB Financial Group’s Executive Vice President of Banking, Stephen Murphy, and Executive Vice President of HR, Kelly Blackett, along with Axiom Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Doug Engdahl, for a webinar moderated by Susanna Cluff-Clyburne, our Senior Director, Parliamentary Affairs. The panel discussed tips and tricks for how to take care of your employees and for how to navigate the crisis now and in the future. Watch here
Webinar | Cybersecurity, With Field Effect
Join us and Field Effect on Thursday June 4 at 11:30 a.m. ET to learn what precautions you need to take to protect you and your organization from an increase in cyber threats during this unprecedented time. Register here
New Resources
eBay Canada
Here to ensure today’s businesses remain up and running, eBay Canada has invested in an all-in-one online business solution to support and connect retailers to a global marketplace with millions of buyers.
#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.
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret J. Wheatley
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.
Strategies for How Businesses Can Persevere And Recover From COVID-19. 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
June 3: APEX Alberta: Personality Dimensions – Sales and Customer Service. Register here.
June 3: Build Your Online Presence, With Facebook. 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 3: Arlene Dickinson: Reinvention On the Elevate Main Stage. Register now.
June 4: Essential Business Service Cyber Security Webinar with Field Effect. Register here.
June 4: Travel Alberta - How to Use Your Story to Connect Deeply with Your Partners. Register here.
June 4: Cash Flow Management in Times of Uncertainty Webinar. Register here.
June 4: Resiliency - Challenges Across Generations. Register now.
June 8: Social media marketing essentials for small business. Register now.
June 9: Getting Creative With Your Mobile Phone, With Facebook. Register now.
June 9: Getting started with email marketing to grow your small business. Register now.
June 9: Restarting and Thriving After COVID-19 and Beyond, presented by PwC. Register here.
June 10: Post-COVID Employee Benefits. Register here.
June 10: Bow Valley College - Intermediate Facebook marketing. Register now.
June 15: Getting found online - tools/tactics to help your website show up higher in search engines. Register now.
June 15: How to adapt your business to thrive in the new normal. Register now.
June 16: Google Ads – what you need to know to start driving traffic to your website. Register now.
June 17: APEX Alberta: Everything DiSC Productive Conflict. Register here.
June 24: How to Build an Effective Advertising Strategy. Register now.
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