• COVID-19

    We will be updating this link as much as possible as information becomes available/shared

  • #bizresilience #reliefeconomy Letters and Press Releases #bizresilience #reliefeconomy Letters and Press Releases

    Through this unprecedented time of economic upheaval, the NWT Chamber has been working to find Northern solutions for our Northern businesses.

    Letter to Premier Cochrane regarding COVID-19 Secretariat - The NWT Chamber of Commerce has sent the below letter to Premier Cochrane, with supporting signatures from the Yellowknife Chambers of Commerce, Thebacha Chamber of Commerce and Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce.

    The NWT Chamber has issued this letter after receiving several concerns from our membership regarding the money being spent on a new level of bureaucracy when several businesses in the NWT are struggling to stay open and being forced to wade through unnecessary red tape and delays due to inconsistent application of rules and lack of response from the GNWT - full letter

    Update/Advocacy Win - The GNWT has announced an additional $20m to the aviation industry - link

    Together with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and all respective provincial and territorial chambers, the NWT Chamber is proud to be a signatory on our joint letter to political leaders on the prolonged recovery of the foodservice industry across Canada - full letter

    Update/Advocacy Win: As per media release on July 03/20, we would like to thank Minister Nokleby for reacting to this issue so quickly and reviewing these serious concerns with swift changes - link June 10/20 The NWT Chamber with support form the Yellowknife Chamber and Fort Simpson Chamber issued a letter to the Hon Katrina Nokleby, Minister of ITI requesting the regulations for trucking be consistent between local trucking companies and southern trucking companies - full letter

    Update: July 09, 2020, Premier Cochrane responded to our joint release - full letter June 26 - together with the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce; NWT Tourism; NWT & NU Chamber of Mines and NWT & NU Construction Assoc, the NWT Chamber has issued a joint press release requesting a balanced approach to protecting public health and supporting economic recovery - full letter

    UPDATE - June 12/20 - the GNWT issued an additional $2.944m to our aviation sector with funds going to those airlines that are critical in our supply chain movement and got missed with the federal government funding.

    June 11/20 The NWT Chamber with support from the NWT Indigenous Leaders Economic Coalition and Yellowknife Chamber, we issued a letter to Minister Miller and Minister Morneau asking to have the program(s) for Indigenous Business Support announced April 18th to be rolled out as soon as possible. - full letter

    June 8/20 The NWT Chamber and NWT Tourism joined all provincial/territorial Chambers and several other Tourism and Business Assoc in a joint letter issued from the Canadian Tourism Roundtable to PM Trudeau and all Canadian Premiers - full letter 

    May 26/20 the NWT Chamber joined all the other provincial/territorial Chamber of Commerce in providing a letter to DPM Freeland and all provincial and territorial Premiers asking for the immediate need to fix the CECRA rent subsidy program - full letter

    May 12/20 the NWT Chamber joined all the other provincial/territorial Chambers of Commerce in providing a letter to PM Trudeau requesting a coordinated approach to reopening Canada's economy - cover letter  full memo

    May 11/20 - together with NWT Tourism, the NWT Chamber submitted our senate submission advising Senator Anderson of the gaps in the federal funding programs in regards to NWT businesses - link On May 21 we sent a formal submission to both the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance as well as SOcial Affairs and requested that this submission also be shared with the informal Arctic Working Group - link

    May 08/20 - the GNWT has issued a release of support for the NWT Chamber and our advocacy letters to the federal government - link

    May 07/20 - the NWT Chamber sent Premier Cochrane a follow-up letter - link

    May 01/2020 - the NWT Chamber added their voice to urgent letters sent to all Premiers asking for a moratorium on commercial evictions while the gaps and concerns of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assitance.  Full letter to Premier Cochrane - link

    April 29/20 - we issued a press release in regards to the results of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Stats Canada national Canadian Survey on Business Conditions.  Full Press Release - link

    April 24/20 - the NWT Chamber released a letter to Minister Mélaine Joly requesting a NOrthern Relief Package for our Northern businesses that fit the needs of Northern Businesses.  Full letter to Minister Joly - link  

    April 20/20 - the NWT Chamber issued a letter to Minister Dan Vandal requesting a Financial Relief package for the NWT aviation sector.  Full letter to Minister Vandal - link

    March 25/20 - the NWT Chamber along with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce signed the letter issued to Prime Minister Trudeau calling on the federal government to protect jobs and postpone any non-essential new measures.  Full Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau - link  

  • Made in the NWT Made in the NWT

    Looking to purchase PPE Equipment locally?  Below is a list (that will be updated regularly) of local businesses that are either manufacturing and/or selling PPE Equipment

    https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/services/non-medical-face-coverings-ppe-and-cleaning-supplies-manufacturers-and-suppliers-nwt

    Cloth Masks:

    Tlicho Online Store - link

    Signs/Decals:
    CanArctic Graphics - link

    Signed - link

    Are you a business that is manufacturing/selling PPE Equipment but not on the list?  Pls email us

  • Emerging Wisely Emerging Wisely

    As we move into Phase 2 we that businesses have more questions than answers. Below we have included several links that will hopefully be helpful in providing a link to answers.

    Emerging Wisely:

    •  link for the specifics of Phase 2
    • link for the infographics of all Phases
    • link for the Emerging Wisely Sortable Business Sector Risk Assessment
    • link - Guide/Steps for Reopening
    • link - Disinfecting/Cleaning link - cleaning checklist

     

    WSCC - Here is a listing of WSCC webpages to assist in your questions to reopening; worker safety, etc.

    Audio from WSCC Webinar - link

    Canadian Chamber of Commerce - through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce the Canadian Business Resilience Network has been created, in addition to daily bulletins; webinars and several tools they have created the Reopening Toolkit - link 

    PPE Equipment - need PPE equipment to reopen and want to buy local? link  when to use PPE Equipment - link

    Useful links:

    • GNWT COVID-19 webpage - Business + Work
    • Federal Government COVID-19 webpage - link Initiatives - link
    • Canadian Business Resilience Network - link

  • GNWT Resources GNWT Resources

    Please the below links for up to date information from the GNWT

    GNWT COVID-19 webpage 

    GNWT COVID-19 toolkit

     

    Tourism Recovery Fund Set to Launch: The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), in partnership with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), has launched a funding program that will help the Northwest Territories tourism industry recover from the impacts of COVID-19. ITI regional offices will start accepting applications for the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT) Fund, a $1.5 million, one-time program cost-shared equally by ITI and CanNor. ITI will deliver the program on behalf of both governments. The objective of the GRIT Fund is to address COVID-19 impacts on tourism businesses by encouraging product development and marketing as well as contributing to select operational costs. This will enable tourism businesses to be ready to provide even greater services when travel restrictions ease and visitors return. Tourism businesses will be required to contribute 10 percent cash equity and use NWT suppliers to stimulate the local economy. Projects must be complete by March 31, 2021. - link

    GNWT announces new supports for post-secondary students - link

    GNWT announces Mining Incentive Program Recipients for 2020/2021 - link

    GNWT announces new funding for early learning and child care infrastructure - link

    Department of ITI is offering virtual Tourism Business Mentorship - link

    The GNWT extends Wage Top-up Program an additional 8 weeks to Sept/30: NWT Wage Top-up Program - link

    the GNWT announced a Wage Top-Up Program for workers over the age of 15 who make less than $18/ hour

    Release of the GNWT COVID-19 impact Survey - link

    Advocacy Win - Administrative Amendments made to public health orders. This includes clarification of northern truckers traveling outside of the NWT - link

    Press Release July 06/20 - the GWNT extends selected COIVD-19 economic relief measures with additional funds - English French

    Tourism Licensing Fees and Insurance Requirments have been waived full information - link

    Changes to the Mineral Incentive Program 2020-2021 - link

    ITI is providing increased safety funding to commercial fishers working on the Great Slave Lake, Tathlina Lake, or Kakisa Lake.  Up to $10,000 (based on 2019 production) will be made available to individual fishers under the Commercial Fisheries Industry Safety Support Program to equip their fishing vessels with the safety equipment needed to meet both COVID-19 protection measures and Transport Canada’s Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations. - link 

    Together ITI & ECE has made $250,000 available for economic recovery initiatives for creative industries - link

     

    The GNWT is creating a list of local sewers; manufacturers; sellers; etc who are selling cloth masks & other certified PPE equipment so that businesses and residents can purchase these locally.  Please see attached link to have our name/business added - link

     

    SEED (Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development) Program - link

    A key milestone in the reopening of SEED applications was the establishment of CanNor’s Northern Business Relief Fund on April 20, 2020. Complimenting this federal relief program, the GNWT’s SEED program is well-positioned to support economic recovery efforts and help our small businesses survive with $4m in funding

    As well funding has been provided to local businesses to produce locally made PPE Equipment - link

    If you are making cloth masks; certified medical face masks; certified face shields; Plexiglass barriers or install; certified hand sanitizer; distancing decals; etc. please email us so we can add your name and/or business name and contact information to ITI database so residents and business can purchase as much of their required PPE equipment locally.

     

    Emerging Wisely - link

    The GNWT has put forth a very comprehensive plan for both businesses and residents to move forward in reopening businesses and moving towards normalcy.

    The NWT Chamber hosts a webinar with WSCC for protocol on reopening please see our COVID-19 webpage for the webinar, links, and presentation under the WSCC section.

     

    Rental Relief for leaseholders - link

    The GNWT is offering rent relief applies retroactively from April 1, 2020, until March 31, 2021. This will allow all leaseholders to receive the same rent relief as those who received it at the beginning of the pandemic. The rent relief does not apply to new applications received after April 1, 2020. 

     

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  • Service Canada & CRA Call Service Canada & CRA Call

    On April 15th we hosted a call with Service Canada and CRA

    Service Canada's Presentation - link

     

    Calculate your subsidy using the updated and improved Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) calculator: The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) helps employers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep workers on their payroll or bring back previously laid-off employees. To ensure that Canadian workers and businesses are in a better position as our economy safely re-opens, the Government has recently implemented changes to the CEWS that broaden the reach of the program and provide better targeted support. The CEWS is in place to help workers transition back to their jobs and to support employers as they increase their revenues. The CRA is committed to providing employers – including employers who can now benefit as a result of the enhanced CEWS – with the information and resources they need to apply and benefit from this important economic measure.

    The new CEWS online calculator: The CRA launched an updated and improved CEWS online calculator to help small and large employers alike prepare to apply for the next phase of the CEWS program, which will open for applications on August 17, 2020.

    The CEWS calculator can be found on the CRA’s updated Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy web page, which includes detailed information to help employers understand how the CEWS can support their employees and operations, who is eligible to apply, and how claim periods are structured. The calculator uses a step-by-step process to invite employers to enter information about their business situation and then provides an estimate of the subsidy they can expect to receive. It also includes a printable spreadsheet and statement features that employers can use to view their claim at a glance and enter required information into the CEWS application form quickly and easily. By providing employers with detailed information about their subsidy claim, the CEWS calculator can assist them in making informed decisions about retaining or re-hiring workers.

    Calculating the new CEWS

    Effective as of period 5 (July 5, 2020 to August 1, 2020), the CEWS will include:

    • A base subsidy for all eligible employers that are experiencing a drop in revenues, with the subsidy amount varying depending on the scale of revenue drop; and
    • A top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25%, providing a total subsidy of up to 85%, for those employers that have been most adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

    For more information, go to How the revenue drop and subsidy rate are calculated.

    Period 5 applications

    The CRA will open applications for CEWS Period 5 on August 17, 2020.

    Newly eligible employers should sign up for My Business Account or Represent a Client (for tax preparers) as well as enroll their payroll account for direct deposit to get their payments faster, once the claim period opens. You can generally expect to receive your payment within 3 to 5 business days of applying if you are registered for direct deposit on your payroll account.

    Stakeholder engagement

    We will conduct a series of Q&A sessions in the coming weeks to provide a forum for eligible employers and stakeholder organizations to share their views and have their questions answered.

    Additional resources – we can help

    • Need to make a change? No problem – you can change a CEWS claim after you’ve submitted it using CRA’s My Business Account or Represent a Client.
    • Still have questions? Call our dedicated CEWS line to speak with an agent about eligibility requirements, calculating your subsidy, or how to apply. Call us at 1-833-966-2099 – we can help!

    The Department of Finance announced expanded eligibility for the CEBA loan program to include owners that did not previously meet the payroll requirements.  New requirements to take effect Friday, June 19, 2020. 

    To qualify under the expanded eligibility rules, CEBA applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 will need: 

    • A business operating account at a participating financial institution;
    • A Canada Revenue Agency business number;
    • A 2018 or 2019 tax return; and  
    • Eligible non-deferrable expenses of between $40,000 and $1.5 million.

    Eligible businesses will qualify for financing of up to $40,000, with 25 per cent of this being forgivable based on the current terms of CEBA loans. Businesses can contact their primary financial institution for more information or to apply directly for CEBA.

     The loans will now be available to owners/shareholders that pay themselves through draws or dividends, if they have more than $40,000 in non-deferrable expenses.

    Please see the link to the news release.

    https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/06/more-small-businesses-can-soon-access-the-canada-emergency-business-account.html

    Information Sheet for Service Canada in the NWT and Contact Information

    Helpful Infographics for the May 19th call:
    COVID-19 Outreach Resource Links - link

    COVID-19 Benefits factsheet - link

    COVID-19 CCB Infographic Outreach - link

    CRA reference links:

    Resources for CEWS:

    Frequently asked questions – Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

    Contact the CRA – How to contact the CRA about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

    Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Web page

    Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy application guide

    CRA’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Calculator

    My Business Account

    Represent a Client

    Direct deposit

    Infographics

    Protect yourself against fraud

     

    CEWS Infoline: 1-833-966-2099

    10% Temporary Wage Subsidy:

    Must be manually calculated by the employer, and no application to CRA is required.  Businesses must keep records related to the Subsidy claimed.

    https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/covid-19-update/frequently-asked-questions-wage-subsidy-small-businesses.html

    Northern Business Relief Fund (NBRF):

    CANNOR Website: https://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1587153226618/1587153246025

    Qualification Guidelines:  https://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1587154093081/1587154126601

    Application Form: https://www.cannor.gc.ca/eng/1588095260274/1588095286754

    CANNOR:

    Northwest Territories Regional Office
    Tel: 867-444-0659
    E-mail: cannor.ecdevnwt-devecnwt.cannor@canada.ca

     

    Here is the contact info for CRA direct NWT line:

    Individual 1-866-426-1527

    Businesses 1-866-841-1876

    Call from your 867 phone number only

    Lionel.Holm@cra-arc.gc.ca

    (867)444-0564

    Natasha MacLeod CRA Personal:

    Natasha.MacLeod@cra-arc.gc.ca

    (867) 444-0841

  • Federal Government Resources Federal Government Resources

    COVID-19 Updates - link

     

    Black Entrepreneurship Program - the federal government announced investments of up to nearly $221 million in partnership with Canadian financial institutions – including up to nearly $93 million from the Government of Canada over the next four years – to launch Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program. This program will help thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country recover from this crisis and grow their businesses - link

    Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) - has been extended an additional month - link

    CRA increases flat rate amount for meal claims, and reasonable amount for meal benefits and allowances - link

    Fish Harvester Benefit And Fish Harvester Grant Applications Now Open: on August 5 the Government of Canada announced that applications for the Fish Harvester Benefit and Fish Harvester Grant will be open from August 24 through September 21. The $469 million in funding for the programs was originally announced on May 14. - link

    Government Of Canada’s ‘COVID-19 Resilience’ Infrastructure Funding Stream: the federal government announced the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is being adjusted so that provinces and territories can use federal funding to act quickly on a wider range of more pandemic-resilient infrastructure projects. Under a new COVID-19 Resilience funding stream worth up to $3.3 billion, projects will be eligible for a significantly larger federal cost share – up to 80% for provinces/territories, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations in provinces and raising it to 100% for remote, northern and territorial projects designated under the new stream - link

    Government of Canada’s COVID Alert App Is Available - link

    Government Of Canada Sets National Temporary Minimum Unemployment Rate For EI Benefits Calculations: As the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is set to wind down at the end of August, the federal government has temporarily adjusted the Employment Insurance (EI) program’s unemployment rate to 13.1%, which will be applied nationally (except for in areas where the actual rate is higher). This temporary measure will set a uniform eligibility requirement for EI regular benefits, provide a minimum entitlement of 26 weeks of benefits and set the number of best weeks of earnings used in the calculation of the weekly benefit rate at 14 - link

    On July 17, 2020, the federal government announced updated to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS); which received Royal Assent on July 28 - link

    For more information on Bill C-20 - link

    CRA extends the payment deadline and offers interest relief on outstanding tax debts during the COVID-19 pandemic - link

    Federal Government rolls out Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) improvements - link

    Canada Emergency Commercial Rental Assistance (CECRA) July OPt In now open - link

    Government Proposes To Help Junior Mining Companies By Extending The Timelines For Flow-Through Share Capital Spending - link

    Federal Government To Provide $19 Billion To Provinces And Territories - link

    Government Of Canada To Fund Women Entrepreneurs In Western Canada - link

    CGLCC LGBT+ Youth Entrepreneur Program: OUT For Business - link

    Tender opportunities - Sharp Containers - link Vaccines Consumables - link

    Canadian Ekmergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will be extended to the end of December 

    Commercial Emergency Commercial Rent Relief (CECRA) has been extended for small businesses through the end of July 2020. Property owners and small business tenants will soon be able to access funding for the month of July. What you need to know:

    • Only those tenants approved in the April, May, and June applications are eligible for the July extension.
    • If a business had an average revenue decline of 70% or more in April, May, and June, they are deemed eligible for the additional month of rent relief. However, not all tenants in the original application need to be included for the July extension.

    To streamline the process and make it easier, we are removing the requirement to claw-back insurance proceeds and provincial rent supports from the CECRA for small businesses forgivable loan amount for both existing and new applicants. Existing applicants who are affected will be notified and will have any previously clawed-back amounts restored to their forgivable loan.

    https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/covid19-cecra-small-business

    Federal Funding for Skilled Trades - the Government of Canada announced they will fund $40m over 3 years in the Union Training and Innovation Program and have launched two calls for proposals.  For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/union-training-innovation.html

    Canada Emergency Relief Benefit - CERB will be extended an additional 8 weeks

    Indigenous Services Canada - $133m in additional supports has been announced.  $117m will be allocated to First Nations, Inuit & Metis, including microbusinesses who are not eligible for existing business support measures.  $16m will be allocated for the Indigenous Tourism Assoc of Canada.  For more information - link

    CanNor: last week the federal government announced not only an increase in the funds going to this program but also a change in qualifications. Businesses with up to 100 employees will now be considered. This is a huge win for the SME sector in the NWT. The NWT Chamber will continue to review the program and address gaps/issues that arise - link

    Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA): the government rent relief program will be accepting applications for this program starting Monday, May 25th. Information; qualifications and application can be found on CMHC website. There are still concerns some concerns in regards to this program and how it will affect our small businesses, we will continue to review the program and address gaps/issues that arise - link

    Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): in May 15th announcement there have been changes made to the CEWS program such as an extension of the program until August 29, 2020 as well as regulatory changes that will now allow previously excluded sectors to apply. These sectors include: Partnerships with one or more non-eligible members; Indigenous Government owned-businesses; registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Associations; registered journalism organizations and non-public educational & training institutions. There is also a list of proposed changes. The NWT Chamber will continue to review the program and address gaps/issues that arise. For all the updates please see - link

    Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF): applications for this program have opened. An updated fact sheet can be found - link

    Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA): this week the federal government expanded the eligibility of this program to allow more Canadian businesses to be able to access the interest-free loans. The expansion of this program has focused on the structure of sole proprietor businesses. For full details on the expansion - link

    Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) - link

    The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provides financial support to post-secondary students and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who are unable to find work due to COVID-19. This benefit is for students who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Employment Insurance (EI). From May to August 2020, the CESB provides a payment to eligible students of $1,250 For every 4 weeks

    or $2,000 For every 4 weeks, if you have dependents or a disability. Applications started today

    This morning the federal government announced funding to support research staff - link The announced $450 million in funding is to help Canada’s academic research community during the COVID-19 pandemic which will provide wage supports for universities and health research institutes as well as to help maintain essential research-related activities during the crisis.

     

    On May 14, the federal government announced up to $469.4 million in new measures to support Canada’s fish harvesters, who are economically impacted by the pandemic but cannot access existing federal measures. This investment builds on the $62.5 million for the new Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund announced last month to help Canada’s fish and seafood processing sector. For more information - link

     

    CEWS Calculator and other CRA links:

    The federal government has extended the deferral date for taxes due; working sharing program from 38 - 76 weeks; and a boost to wages for essential workers - link 

    Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage, and Sport Organizations - link

     

    Support for Indigenous Businesses - link

     

  • Indigenous Business Supports Indigenous Business Supports

     

     

    Both the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses - link and the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association - link  useful updates; links; information and resources during this pandemic

    Through funding from the Government of Canada, the Akaitcho Business Development Corporation and the Thebacha Business Development Services are taking action to ensure that Indigenous business owners impacted by Covid-19 have access to the support they require. The Emergency Loan Program is a component of the Indigenous Business Stabilization Program.  The Emergency Loan Program (ELP) is designed as an emergency measure to support small business owners in meeting their immediate operating cash flow needs. These funds are not intended to replace or duplicate government or other bank/lender emergency financing/funds that are available to businesses in Canada.  Maximum assistance is $40,000 comprised of a 75% loan and 25% non-repayable contribution. Loans and contributions are issued together.

    Akaitcho Business Development Corporation - Press Release & ELP Information for more information - website or email

    Thebacha Business Development Services - Press Release & ELP Information for more information - website or email

    Funding for Indigenous artists - this fund is open to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, working in the arts and cultural sector, whose practice has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.  Applicants must be over 18 years of age and be Canadian citizens or eligible for citizenship.- link

    NACCA Webinars - link

     

  • #buynorth #buynorth

    Thank you to NNSL for compiling this list, click below to see how to support your local businesses 

    https://buynorth.nnsl.com/

  • 33 prosperous communities connected with one voice for business