News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Coalition of Businesses & Sector Associations Express Concern With Province's Sick Pay Program
In a letter to Labour Minister Harry Bains, the coalition noted that the sick pay program comes at a difficult time for businesses during the height of the new Omicron wave. It's particularly challenging for businesses such as pubs and restaurants which were not closed (and thus many were ineligible for government assistance) and whose business dropped precipitously.
There are many examples of businesses experiencing functional closures and seeing a significant portion of their employees at home sick. Consequently, operationally and administratively it has been a very challenging start to the year.
One of the primary concerns relates to the fact that businesses and employees rely on payroll and human resources information systems to track, store, and provide accurate information on use of paid sick days and payment. Nearly all of these systems are based on a workplace having a common ‘employment year’ which is most often the calendar year or a business’s fiscal year.
However, the current wording of the ‘employment year’ definition on the Employment Standards website from the policy interpretation of Illness or Injury Leave - Act Part 6, Section 49.1 is causing confusion for employers and workers alike: “Employment year” refers to the specific employee’s employment year, based on their start date.
Most businesses remain unaware of this interpretation of the policy. In addition, there are problems faced by businesses struggling to understand how to implement paid sick leave for part-time and short-term employees.
In its letter, the coalition offered a number of recommendations for the province to consider including amending the definition of 'employment year', as well as reimbursing businesses for the additional sick days paid over the annual intended five days paid sick leave businesses understood they were required to pay.
Organizations that signed a letter include TIABC, BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver BC Restaurant & Food Services Association, Restaurants Canada, go2HR, ABLE BC, BCHA, and others.
Originally published by TIABC on January 28, 2022.
In a letter to Labour Minister Harry Bains, the coalition noted that the sick pay program comes at a difficult time for businesses during the height of the new Omicron wave. It's particularly challenging for businesses such as pubs and restaurants which were not closed (and thus many were ineligible for government assistance) and whose business dropped precipitously.
There are many examples of businesses experiencing functional closures and seeing a significant portion of their employees at home sick. Consequently, operationally and administratively it has been a very challenging start to the year.
One of the group's primary concerns relates to the fact that businesses and employees rely on payroll and human resources information systems to track, store and provide accurate information on use of paid sick days and payment for those days. Nearly all of these systems are based on a workplace having a common ‘employment year’ which is most often the calendar year or a business’s fiscal year.
The current wording of the ‘employment year’ definition on the Employment Standards website from the policy interpretation of Illness or Injury Leave - Act Part 6, Section 49.1 is causing confusion for employers and workers alike: “Employment year” refers to the specific employee’s employment year, based on their start date.
Most businesses remain unaware of this interpretation of the policy. In addition, there are problems faced by businesses struggling to understand how to implement paid sick leave for part-time and short-term employees.
In its letter, the coalition offered a number of recommendations for the province to consider including amending the definition of 'employment year', as well as reimbursing businesses for the additional sick days paid over the annual intended five days paid sick leave businesses understood they were required to pay.
Organizations that signed a letter include TIABC, BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver BC Restaurant & Food Services Association, Restaurants Canada, go2HR, ABLE BC, BCHA and others.
Shop Local BC - BC Chamber of Commerce
Funded by the Government of Canada and delivered through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, the Shop Local initiative provides grants for programs and campaigns that encourage Canadians to shop local to help businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic.
The federal government is investing $33 million in the initiative across Canada, of which project funds of $5 million are earmarked for British Columbia.
Funded by the Government of Canada and delivered through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, the Shop Local initiative provides grants for programs and campaigns that encourage Canadians to shop local to help businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic.
The federal government is investing $33 million in the initiative across Canada, of which project funds of $5 million are earmarked for British Columbia.
The BC Chamber of Commerce will deliver the Shop Local initiative in BC, ensuring that the program is inclusive, and funds are distributed equitably across the following seven economic development regions:
• Central-Cariboo
• Kootenay
• Mainland/Southwest
• North Coast/Nechako
• Northeast
• Thompson-Okanagan
• Vancouver Island/Coast
Key program dates:
The Shop Local BC program will launch November 1, 2021.
Applications will be received and assessed on a first-come-first-served basis through December 10, 2021.
Funds will be disbursed on an ongoing basis through December 10, 2021, and no later than December 31, 2021.
Successful applicants will receive:
80% of the funds requested through December 10, 2021, and no later than December 31, 2021
20% of the funds requested following submission of a satisfactory post-campaign report
Chamber of Commerce will report the outcomes of the Shop Local BC initiative to the federal government by March 31, 2022.
There will be two information webinars during which the presenters will walk through the application process, including the steps to submit an application via the Shop Local BC portal.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 9:30am to 10:30am PDT. Register here.
Friday, October 29, 2021 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm PDT. Register here.
BC Chamber of Commerce Collective Perspective Survey 2021
The BC Chamber of Commerce’s purpose is to know what’s on BC’s mind. They are asking you to use your voice by completing a perspective survey and assist the BC Chamber of Commerce with their advocacy efforts.
The goal of the 2021 Collective Perspective Survey is to capture insight from every sector, business size, and region in the province.
Results from the survey will:
Identify evolving trends – and roadblocks
Brief government on the business climate in preparation for the 2022 budget
Inform our advocacy efforts
The survey will close November 4, 2021, at 4:00pm PDT.
The BC Chamber of Commerce’s purpose is to know what’s on BC’s mind. They are asking you to use your voice by completing a perspective survey and assist the BC Chamber of Commerce with their advocacy efforts.
The goal of the 2021 Collective Perspective Survey is to capture insight from every sector, business size, and region in the province.
Results from the survey will:
Identify evolving trends – and roadblocks
Brief government on the business climate in preparation for the 2022 budget
Inform our advocacy efforts
The survey will close November 4, 2021, at 4:00pm PDT.
Big Thinking for Small Business Plan Updated | BC Chamber of Commerce
The BC Chamber of Commerce recently released its updated Big Thinking for Small Business, a bold plan to grow British Columbia’s economy by focusing on three pillars: inclusivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
The BC Chamber of Commerce recently released its updated Big Thinking for Small Business, a bold plan to grow British Columbia’s economy by focusing on three pillars: inclusivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
Updated from the previous year’s Economic Recovery Submission, the Big Thinking for Small Business plan underpins the pan-provincial priorities as set out by the BC Chamber of Commerce to guide the province through continued recovery efforts.
To support the removal of economic barriers and to help pave the way for small- and medium-sized businesses to thrive once again, emphasis is placed on the critical need for action to address the skilled labour shortage and housing affordability.
The Big Thinking for Small Business plan outlines concise policies which will help inform the advocacy efforts of the BC Chamber of Commerce for the year ahead.
Shop Local BC | BC Chamber of Commerce
The Shop Local initiative will provide grants to chambers of commerce, boards of trade, and other organization for programs and campaigns that encourage Canadians to shop local to help businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic. The Shop Local BC application period will launch in late October. Applications will be received and assessed on a first-come-first-served basis through December 10, 2021.
Funded by the Government of Canada and delivered through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce, the Shop Local initiative provides grants for programs and campaigns that encourage Canadians to shop local to help businesses navigate through and beyond the pandemic.
The federal government is investing $33 million in the initiative across Canada, of which project funds of $5 million are earmarked for British Columbia.
The BC Chamber of Commerce will deliver the Shop Local initiative in BC, ensuring that the program is inclusive, and funds are distributed equitably across the province's seven economic development regions.
The Shop Local BC program will launch in late October. Applications will be received and assessed on a first-come-first-served basis through December 10, 2021.
Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency | BC Chamber of Commerce
The BC Chamber of Commerce has launched the pan-provincial Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency, a live resource to support businesses across the province as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic on their road to recovery as set out in BC’s Restart Plan.
The BC Chamber of Commerce has launched the pan-provincial Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency, a live resource to support businesses across the province as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic on their road to recovery as set out in BC’s Restart Plan..
The Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency will help businesses address workforce and workplace planning and related operational challenges caused by COVID-19.
Resources outlined in the guide tackle all aspects of pandemic recovery including:
Health & Safety
Government programming
Sector-specific initiatives
Legal and regulatory requirements
How to reopen, maintain, pivot, or expand your business; and
Additional small business tools
Download the guide today to help your business navigate the broad mix of available resources in a clear and efficient way. Follow these steps on the road to recovery.