• 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

     

    For up to date information pls see Reopening Safely - link

  • New Canada Recovery Benefits New Canada Recovery Benefits

    As Canadians transitions to a simplified EI program in this new phase of economic recovery, the Government of Canada is also introducing these new benefits:

    • A Canada Recovery Benefit will provide $500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who stopped working due to COVID-19 or who have a reduced income, but are not eligible for Employment Insurance. They must be looking and available for work.
    • A Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit will provide workers with $500 per week, for up to two weeks , if they are ill or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19 or have health conditions that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19.
    • A Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit will provide $500 for up to 26 weeks per household, for Canadians unable to work because they must care for a child or family member who is unable to attend their school, daycare or other facility due to COVID-19.

    For details, please visit https://bit.ly/36sqxA3

    New Canada Recovery Benefits - What to Expect: EN FR

    Answers to your questions on paying back your CERB: EN FR

    We are also working with CRA to have a presentation on the changes; how they will effect you and/or your employees as well as how to pay back your CERB if required. Stay tuned

      

  • 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

     

    For an up to date list pls see Reopening Safely - 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