COVID-19 Update: April 27, 2020
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
We hope you enjoyed a safe and happy weekend. We are back with our COVID-19 update and will be sending the updates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week.
As always, you can also reach us by email if you have any questions or concerns: jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.
Included in today’s email you will find:
Recap of last week’s updates
Last chance to complete ABLE BC survey: impact of COVID-19 on your liquor business
Applications for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy now open
Virtual 2019 BC Vintage Preview Part II
Free DVBIA Webinar on April 29: Navigating COVID-19 Government Relief Measures
Pro Bono Coaching Offer for ABLE BC Members
BC Chamber of Commerce: second ‘Pulse Check’ COVID-19 survey results
Find all past updates from ABLE BC here.
Recap of last week’s updates
Here’s what you may have missed last week from ABLE BC:
Update on April 20: join ABLE BC for virtual happy hour, clarification around liquor primaries offering takeaway and delivery and selling liquor, Time to Buy BC campaign, outdoor signage discount, Restaurants Canada national survey for foodservice establishments, fostering employee engagement during a crisis
Update on April 22: LCRB update on BDL invoicing and compliance, BC Hospitality Foundation Hospitality Hustle, new COVID-19 signage, ContainerWorld operational update, and update from McMillan LLP on combatting civil fraud
Update on April 24: reopening of hospitality businesses, Canada to lower rent by 75% for small businesses, applications for BC Emergency Benefit for Workers open May 1, limited selection bottle pick service resumes, BDL reopening of BC order board and online web ordering system, Labatt consumer trend insights, and Woody’s Pub pays tribute to frontline workers
Find all past ABLE BC updates here.
Last chance to complete ABLE BC survey: impact of COVID-19 on your liquor business
In response to the global COVID-19 crisis, the BC government and federal government have implemented new policy changes and announced economic programs to support businesses. ABLE BC wants to know how these policies and programs are impacting your liquor business.
We have received over 125 responses! Thank you to everyone who has already completed the survey. If you haven’t yet done so, please take 5 minutes to complete our COVID-19 survey.
Deadline to complete survey: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Your feedback plays an essential role in informing our government relations and advocacy efforts.
If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca.
Applications for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Now Open
Applications for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy are now open. Learn more and apply here.
New subsidy calculator: the federal government has launched a calculator on the Canada Revenue Agency website to help businesses calculate what they are covered for through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
CEWS Key Points
As a Canadian employer whose business has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for a subsidy of 75% of employee wages for up to 12 weeks, retroactive from March 15, 2020, to June 6, 2020.
The subsidy is intended to help you re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, help prevent further job losses, and better position you to resume normal operations following the crisis.
The subsidy amount is based on the number and type of eligible employees you have, and the amount and type of pay they received before and during the crisis.
The maximum benefit is $847 per employee each week.
There is no limit on the total subsidy amount that an eligible employer may claim, according to the government.
Visit the Government of Canada website for more information and:
Determine your eligibility for the CEWS
Determine which employees are eligible for the CEWS
Calculate your subsidy amount
Learn how to apply
For an overview of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan click here.
For a comprehensive summary of supports for Canadian businesses, including provincial and federal economic programs, where and how to apply for them, click here.
Virtual 2019 BC Vintage Preview Part II
Finding inspiration in our new reality can be difficult. Physical distancing and staying home have meant many events, like the BC Wine Institute’s Bloom and Discover spring tastings, have been cancelled or postponed.
The good news is winemaking hasn’t stopped. Vines continue to grow, grapes continue to ripen and winemakers continue to produce fresh and vibrant wines meant to be savoured and enjoyed.
The BCWI invite you to join them for Part II of the Virtual 2019 Vintage Preview: April 29 from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.
In Part I, they explored the 2019 vintage from Lake Country, Kelowna and Vancouver Island. Part II welcomes winemakers from the Similkameen Valley, South Okanagan Valley (Golden Mile Bench) and BC’s new Sub-GI, Naramata Bench to discuss the 2019 growing season and wines in these regions.
Streaming to you in the comfort and safety of your home, please join Barbara Philip MW and a panel of top BC winemakers from across the province as they welcome you into BC’s diverse wine regions to discuss the 2019 vintage directly from the vineyards where the grapes are grown.
Please register for Part II on April 29 at 1:00 PM here.
If you missed Part I please access the replay video here.
Free DVBIA Webinar on April 29: Navigating COVID-19 Government Relief Measures
Join the Downtown Vancouver BIA on April 29 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm for their next webinar: Navigating COVID-19 Government Relief Measures.
Guest presenters from Deloitte will discuss the various government programs and relief measures available right now.
With the unprecedented economic and social impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders should assess and leverage the government relief measures set in place for businesses to respond, recover and prepare for what will become the new normal.
Register today for the April 29 webinar, where the presenters will explore program eligibility, the application process, and practical actions you can implement in the short term to help support your business and people.
Learn more and register here.
Pro Bono Coaching offer for ABLE BC Members
Eve Gaudet, Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant (Eve of Change) is generously offering pro bono coaching:
Need help in this uncertain time? I get it – your industry has been hit harder than most. As a professional coach who’s worked with many in your industry, I’d like to offer 3 1-hour pro bono sessions to the first 3 members who contact me. Whether you’re overwhelmed or need clarity and a path forward, I’m here to help.
Eve, a past presenter at the BC Hospitality Summit, works with business owners, managers, or supervisors. Her coaching primarily focuses on strategy, leadership, and communication.
Learn more about Eve and her coaching here. Contact Eve to take advantage of this offer: evegaudet@eveofchange.ca or 778-679-3152.
BC Chamber of Commerce: Second pulse-check COVID-19 survey results
In March, the BC Chamber of Commerce partnered with the BC Business Council, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, The Mustel Group, and businesses in BC to run regular ‘pulse checks’ to find out how businesses are faring due to COVID-19, and how your needs are evolving.
The latest results from their second pulse check are now available. Read the report here.
The report provides the key findings from the second survey taken by 1,283 business leaders from April 9-17, 2020.
For more information:
Public Health Agency of Canada Website
Updates from the Government of British Columbia
News Releases from BC Government on COVID-19
Provincial Health Officer Public Health Orders
Updates and Resources from ABLE BC
Human Resources & Occupational Health & Safety Info from go2HR
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC:
604-688-5560 or info@ablebc.ca.