• 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.

    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 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

    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 As well the Business Resilience Service Hotline has been established - link   Phone Number: (866)989-1080

    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 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. 

     

    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.

  • Service Canada & CRA Call Service Canada & CRA Call

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

    Service Canda's Presentation - link

     

    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:

    The links for the CEWS:

    https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-who-eligible-employer.html

    https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-frequently-asked-questions.html

    https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-apply-guide.html

    https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-calculate-subsidy-amount.html     (the updated revision to the CEWS calculator)

    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

     

    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

  • #buynorth #buynorth

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

    https://buynorth.nnsl.com/

  • GNWT NWT Consumer Demand Survey GNWT NWT Consumer Demand Survey

     

    Consumer spending is a key economic indicator of the health of the economy. The Government of the Northwest Territories wants to hear from you how COVID-19 has impacted you as a consumer! The survey is confidential and will be active until June 19, 2020, and will help inform future government investments and activities. 

    To access the survey, go to: https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/PfoOdlQC (please note that the survey requires use one of these web-browsers: Firefox, Chrome or Edge )

    #haveyoursay #inthistogether #onyourside

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