Morris & District Chamber of Commerce

UPDATES - FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

1) NEW! Prime Minister Trudeau announced today a Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) to provide bridge financing to Canada’s largest employers, whose needs during the pandemic are not being met through conventional financing, in order to keep operations going. The objective is to help protect Canadian jobs, help Canadian businesses weather the current economic downturn, and avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms where possible. This support will not be used to resolve insolvencies or restructure firms, nor will it provide financing to companies that otherwise have the capacity to manage through the crisis. The additional liquidity provided through LEEFF will allow Canada’s largest businesses and their suppliers to remain active during this difficult time, and position them for a rapid economic recovery.

2) NEW! The federal government will also expand the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) to mid-sized companies with larger financing needs. Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company, and guarantees of up to $80 million. Through the BCAP, Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with private sector lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions.

3) The federal government confirmed last week it will send the provinces and territories up to $3 billion to increase the wages of essential workers. All the country’s first ministers agree that front-line workers who are risking their health and make minimum wage deserve a raise. It will be up to each province to decide which workers count as “essential” and will get a top-up. Details yet to come for Manitoba.

4) CERB: The application process for the 3rd CERB period is now open through CRA. You must confirm your eligibility for each period for which you apply. If you are receiving your Benefit through Service Canada you must complete your EI Report Card to confirm your eligibility. The CERB Frequently Asked Questions site is updated regularly, and contains valuable updates about this benefit. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application/questions.html

5) Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses is an agreement in principle with all provinces and territories to lower rent by 75 per cent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19. To be notified by CMHC when the CECRA application process opens, register here.

To access the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce's Financial Measures Guide,

which includes information about all provincial and federal funding streams, click here.

UPDATES - PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

As of today, Monday, May 11, public health officials advised the number of lab-confirmed positive and probable cases in Manitoba is at 289, and there have been seven COVID-19 related deaths. Dr. Roussin says that we have indeed flattened the curve in Manitoba, but that we need to follow the numbers carefully as the virus is still circulating in our communities. "We are not out of the woods yet."

1) The number of working Manitobans dropped by 64,200 in April, bringing the province’s documented number of job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic to 89,500. The province has posted the second-lowest decline in employment during the novel coronavirus shutdown, according to Friday’s monthly labour force survey. The report for this month, expected in mid-June, will be key to showing whether Manitoba’s economy is starting to turn the corner.

2) The Manitoba Gap Protection Program (MGPP) application process is open. The province will advance each eligible business the non-interest bearing forgivable MGPP loan of $6,000 -- a loan that will be forgiven on Dec. 31, 2020 -- if the recipient attests at that time the business has not received any major non-repayable COVID-19 federal supports developed in response to the pandemic.

3) All Manitobans returning to work are now eligible to access the temporary child care system to find a location that meets their needs. Families can use the online tool at eswchildcare.ca to view available spaces and then contact centres directly to finalize arrangements. To learn more about childcare options available to Manitobans at this time: https://manitoba.ca/covid19/infomanitobans/childcare.html

4) The Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program promotes the hiring of high school and post-secondary students who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides wage subsidies to employers (private and not-for-profit sectors) to employ students aged 15 to 29. For program details and to submit your application online (it takes just five minutes to complete), click here.

If your Manitoba business was able to open in Phase 1, we'd love to hear from you!

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is always looking to spotlight our members and community leaders. Tell us about challenges, needs, and successes you encountered as you entered Phase 1 recovery. Email us if you would like to tell your story, share an experience, or provide valuable insights and lessons learned to help potential Phase 2 business owners be well-prepared!

·     If you're starting to think about re-opening your business, access the Workplace Guidance for Business Owners, detailing practical recommendations, physical distancing measures, required safety steps, hygiene protocols, PPE, etc. Click here to view the Province of Manitoba's complete Restoring Safe Services guide.

·     Remember: You can visit the EngageMB COVID-19 consultation platform to pose specific questions about your business type or industry.

NEW RESOURCES for RETAILERS & MANUFACTURERS

Very special thanks to our industry colleagues at Retail Council of Canada and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CM&E) for sharing these best practice guides. If you're a retailer or manufacturer, these will be extremely helpful as you restore operations:

1) NEW! Retail Council of Canada has added two more playbooks to its recovery collection, for a total of four: Customer Health & Safety, Employee Wellbeing, Retail Operations, and Merchandising & Marketing.

2) The CM&E's COVID-19 Resources section features a host of PDF documents regarding safe PPE use, re-integrating groups at work while maintaining social distancing, psychological health & safety, and more.

Thank you to all Manitoba nurses across the Chamber network! You are true courage and caring in action.

MCC SEEKING PPE PROVIDERS

We're still seeking contact information for local companies able to sell Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Manitoba businesses. If this sounds like your organization, please email us details and contact info for a special project we're working on.

Chuck Davidson, President & CEO

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

t: 204-948-0107

e: cdavidson@mbchamber.mb.ca

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce | 204-948-0101|

550-201 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3K6 | jointhechamber.ca

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