Resources for Navigating Trade and Tariff Issues

The Government of Canada recently announced $6.5 billion in liquidity, advisory and other supports for Canadian workers and businesses including:

• New financing and advisory services through the Business Development Bank of Canada Pivot.

• Financing through Farm Credit Canada’s Trade Disruption Customer Support program for the agriculture and food industry.

• Support for eligible Canadian exporters.

• Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has also launched a new intake of the CanExport SME program.

PacifiCan is currently accepting expressions of interest for our Business Scale-up and Productivity program, which supports high-growth companies in B.C. to scale-up operations, commercialize technology, improve productivity and/or diversify markets.

BCRFA Introduce Industry Training & Development Fund

The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), along with Uber is launching a new training and development fund to help empower the next generation of their industry through education and opportunity. 

The BCRFA Development Fund will support members with incoming talents. The grant program will help employers finance education and professional development for people interested in pursuing long-term careers in the industry.

The first opportunity to apply begins on April 1st!

Resources for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Small Business Branch is offering business advisory services for entrepreneurs and business owners to start, manage, and grow their businesses at no cost.

These services include:

• Free one-on-one consultations with expert advisors,

• Access to resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive,

• Guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities.

Webinar: Wildfire Resilience - April 8, 2025

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is hosting a webinar on wildfire resilience on April 8, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM PT. This is a free to attend webinar, that will involve a panel based discussion.

This webinar will highlight the importance of preparation and mitigation, how recreation groups can get involved, and information about possible funding sources.

$3,500 Hiring Incentive from B.C. Youth in Manufacturing Initiative

Are you a winery, brewery, or outdoor gear manufacturer looking to grow your workforce while reducing hiring expenses? The B.C. Youth in Manufacturing Initiative provides a $3,500 hiring incentive per youth placement, helping you bring fresh talent into your organization at a lower cost.

What’s in It for You?

• $3,500 per hire to help offset wages and training costs.

• Industry-specific training included at no cost to you:

• Manufacturing Foundations – Teaches adaptability, problem-solving, communication, and accountability.

• Lean Fundamentals – Equips participants with Lean Thinking to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

Who’s Eligible?

• Youth aged 16-24, residing in B.C., and eligible to work in Canada.

• Positions available across production, service, and administration.

• Employers can hire multiple participants.

How It Works:

1. Quick & Easy Application: Apply online in just 5 minutes.

2. Consent Forms: Our team will guide you through the required paperwork.

3. Online Training: Participants complete training modules to enhance their skills.

4. Employment & Incentive: Once youth fulfill work-hour requirements (240 hours for high school students, 320 for others), employers receive the $3,500 incentive.

Take advantage of this opportunity to reduce hiring costs while shaping the future of B.C.’s manufacturing industry.

Apply today!

Resources for Canadian Workers and Businesses

The Government of Canada has put in new measures to help Canadian workers and businesses navigate the impact of the recently imposed tariffs.

This includes:

• Launching the Trade Impact Program through Export Development Canada.

• Making $500 million in favourably priced loans available through the Business Development Bank of Canada to support impacted businesses in sectors directly targeted by tariffs, as well as companies in their supply chains.

• Providing $1 billion in new financing through Farm Credit Canada to reduce financial barriers for the Canadian agriculture and food industry.

Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop

Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. These free sessions focus on strengthening relations and community connections.

Sessions will:

• Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.

• Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.

• Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.

Register now for sessions on March 20, 2025

Take the Canadian Tourism Data Collective Utilization Survey

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective (CTDC) was launched in May 2024, and Simon Fraser University is running a survey to assess the awareness and usage of the CTDC tool.

Participant feedback will help improve data accessibility for industry stakeholders and support research on tourism resilience.

This anonymous survey will take 5–10 minutes to complete. Complete the survey by March 27, 2025, for a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card.

Destination Events Program - New Province of BC Grant

The Destination Events Program (DEP) in British Columbia offers funding to support tourism, arts, culture, and sport events across the province. Eligible organizations—including Indigenous communities, not-for-profits, businesses, and local governments—can apply for up to 10% of their total event budget, with a maximum of $200,000 per event.

Open for applications on April 7 - May 5, 2025

Rogers Youth Grants: Supporting Education and Workforce Development

Rogers Communications has announced the 2025 call for applications for their Youth Grants, supporting organizations delivering educational and employment programs to underserved youth.

Applications open on March 24, 2025, for grants of $10,000 or $25,000. This initiative prioritizes programs focused on mentorship, academic training, and career readiness to empower youth ages 12-29. For more details, visit their website.

ORCBC Grants & Funding Page

ORCBC has organized a webpage to help recreation organizations stay on top of opportunities to access funding for their recreation initiatives.

A new directory of fundraising sources is now available to help recreation organizations access funding for outdoor recreation initiatives, accessibility programs, trail maintenance, supply purchases, and professional development for volunteer crews.

Explore the resources at the bottom of the page, including 'Tips for Quality Grant Applications in Outdoor Recreation' and a grant tracking template.

Webinar: Recreation and Indigenous Tourism

Register for an upcoming webinar on March 11 at 1:00pm PT, where a panel of experts will discuss how recreation groups can support and collaborate with First Nations and Indigenous-owned businesses. The discussion will explore ways to further nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation initiatives that highlight Indigenous culture, history, and stewardship.

Vernon Youth Job Opportunity with Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) - Applications Closing Soon

There are some exciting youth climate action job opportunities coming to Vernon this summer! Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is hiring 5 youth (aged 17-30) to mobilize community climate action in the Vernon area. One Program Lead, one Program Coordinator, and three Community Climate Action Mobilizer positions are available.
 
The following positions are now open for application. Click the links below to access the job postings:

• Program Lead, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Program Coordinator, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Community Climate Action Mobilizer, Vernon (deadline to apply: April 6)

Community Futures British Columbia Workshops

Community Futures BC offers free, on-demand workshops for businesses in British Columbia.

These workshops can be accessed by signing up for a free myCommunityFutures account.

Tariff Resources from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has released tariff resources, including a direct communication line for businesses with tariff questions.

This webpage will help businesses stay informed and connect with Business Development Officers.

Apply Today for the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Taste of Place Leadership Program

The Taste of Place Leadership Program is designed to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) with the skills to foster culinary and agritourism growth in their communities. Once completed, the program participants will receive a Taste of Place Leadership certificate, and their achievement will be recognized online by the Culinary Tourism Alliance.

For more information about the key learning outcomes or to register for this program, visit the Taste of Place Leadership Program.

The Tourism Data Collective Releases the Traveller Segmentation Program

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective (CTDC) has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which will provide Canada’s tourism industry with visitor insights, behaviours, and preferences.

This program will offer:

• In-depth visitor profiles

• Segement identification tools

• Training resources

Tourism Digital Academy Spring Intake is Now Open

The Tourism Digital Academy, a free eight-week live virtual program is for tourism businesses looking to elevate developed marketing skills to an intermediate level.

The Spring Intake runs from March 18 - May 7, 2025.

Destination British Columbia’s Tourism Industry Dashboard

The 2024 data is now available on the Destination BC Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, regional occupancy rates, and more.

View Dashboard →

Tourism Industry Association of BC One-Minute Monitor: Impact of Cross-border Tariffs on Your Business

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is running a one-minute monitor regarding the impact of impending cross-border tariffs on businesses. This short survey will help them better understand businesses’ views on pressing issues and help inform policy development and prioritize advocacy activities.