COVID-19 Toolkit for Businesses

Download and print your own poster to let customers know about the current face covering restrictions in Sturgeon County.
DOWNLOAD>>

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced additional new measures to support small businesses dealing with the economic impacts of the pandemic. These measures will help Canadian businesses protect the jobs that Canadians depend on, and pay their workers and bills during these difficult times.

Today’s announcement is a part of the government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which already commits $107 billion in support to Canadians so they can buy groceries, pay rent, and care for their loved ones, and also supports businesses through this difficult time. 

READ MORE>>

Is your business still open but in a new capacity? Let your customers know how they can still reach you!
Include new business hours, ordering options- online / over the phone and delivery options like curbside delivery.
You do not need to be a Chamber member to add your information.

Add your updated business information to the Morinville Chamber of Commerce Community Forum today!

For updates and information on Sturgeon County facilities, programs and other resident resources, visit the Sturgeon County website.

The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey to asses the impacts that COVID-19 is having on local businesses. We strongly encourage you take the time to complete this survey to give us the most relevant and current information for our region.

Please click on this link to the survey, thank you for taking the time to fill it out!

The Alberta Government has provided a set of three posters to support awareness and actions that can be taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. Please feel free to download and print to post this information within your business. >> CLICK HERE TO ACCESS POSTERS

Here is some valuable information from the Government of Alberta on Employment rules changes:

We're acting quickly to protect Albertans by implementing paid, job-protected leave. Details of how these changes will take effect will be provided in the coming days.

Changes to the Employment Standards Code will allow employees to take 14 days of paid, job-protected leave if they are:
· required to self-isolate
· sick or caring for a loved one with COVID-19

To be eligible, employees:
· will not be required to have a medical note
· do not need to have worked for an employer for 90 days

This leave covers the self-isolation period recommended by Alberta’s chief medical officer. We recognize this could put pressure on employers and are working towards a solution to address these challenges.

Business continuity plans
Employers should consider their business continuity plans and how COVID-19 could impact their workplace. To prepare, make plans to:
· protect employees
· limit spread in workplaces
· ensure continuity of critical services if staff are ill or self-isolating
· explore alternate working arrangements, such as:

o working from home or remotely

o doing work that doesn't require contact with other people

Provincial Resources:

OHS: Respiratory viruses and the workplace

Employment standards rules

Business continuity planning

WCB: COVID-19 worker fact sheet

WCB: COVID-19 employer fact sheet

POSTERS: Help Prevent the Spread

For the most up to date information from the Government of Alberta regarding the COVID-19 virus >> CLICK HERE

March 23, 2020

Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced important new measures to support farmers and agri-food businesses in Canada facing financial hardship due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Farm Credit Canada will receive support from the Government of Canada that will allow for an additional $5 billion in lending capacity to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors. This will offer increased flexibility to farmers who face cashflow issues and to processors who are impacted by lost sales, helping them remain financially strong during this difficult time.

In addition, all eligible farmers who have an outstanding Advance Payments Program (APP) loan due on or before April 30 will receive a Stay of Default, allowing them an additional six months to repay the loan. This important measure, which represents $173 million in deferred loans, will help keep more money in farmers’ pockets during these critical months.

The Stay of Default will also provide farmers the flexibility they need to manage their cashflow when facing lower prices or reduced marketing opportunities. Applicable farmers who still have interest-free loans outstanding will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $100,000 interest-free portion for 2020-2021, as long as their total APP advances remain under the $1 million cap.

Visit the press release for more information

Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. If you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.

Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions: · The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim

· Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period

· Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine

· People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate

· People who cannot complete their claim for EI sickness benefits due to quarantine may apply later and have their EI claim backdated to cover the period of delay

Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim:

· Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)

· Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742

If you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing or you are in self-isolation or quarantine, do not visit or enter any Service Canada office. As an alternative, you may access our services online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada.

The Work-Sharing program is implementing temporary special measures to support employers and employees affected by the downturn in business caused by COVID-19. The new temporary special measures are available to employers impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19. The measures allows for eligible employers to retain skilled employees and workers to remain employed during the temporary downturn in business due to COVID-19. The temporary special measures will:

· extend the Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks

· wave the mandatory waiting period between agreements

· ease the recovery plan requirements Access the Work-Sharing page to learn more about the program and its requirements. Access the Work-Sharing temporary special measures page to find out if you are eligible for temporary special measures.

The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

On March 18, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period. These measures, delivered as part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

BDC is providing additional support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Business Continuity Planning for Infectious Diseases 

COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits and Charities 

Calling all Suppliers - Help Canada Comabt COVID-19

Flexibility Filing Taxes