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.

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.

Get Free COVID-19 Rapid Tests for Screening in Workplaces

The Government of Canada, some provincial/territorial governments and distribution partners are providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to organizations. These tests are to be used for regular workplace screening of employees.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Eligible organizations must agree to the following conditions:

• keep rapid tests and not resell them

• limit use to within Canada

• screen employees according to the guidelines provided by relevant provincial and territorial governments

• demonstrate they are using these tests before further supplies are provided

• collect and report on usage

Destination BC Learning Centre

Destination BC hosts a Learning Centre that provides access to free resources and tools, best practices, workshops, and training programs for BC’s tourism industry.

New content is added regularly for tourism businesses to grow their skills in eight subject areas: digital marketing, experience development, social media marketing, travel trade & travel media, applying insights, safety & emergency preparedness, accessible tourism, and the Super, Natural British Columbia® brand.

Here is some recent content that may be of interest:

• Top Tips for a Successful Photo or Video Shoot

• Booking Engine Guide

• Creating Content that Drives Action Along the Travel Path to Purchase

• Instagram Stories, Reels, Guides, and IGTV: How to take advantage of IG’s new formats

Accessibility Projects Grant 2021 - Deadline: October 2, 2021

Disability Alliance BC announced a Call for Proposals (CFP) for projects that promote greater accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities in BC communities. Funding of $10,000 to $40,000 per project will be disbursed to a maximum of $450,000 for BC-based not-for-profit organizations that operate primarily for community benefit and whose services are open to the public and not restricted to the organization’s membership.

Proposals are due by October 2nd, 2021 and funding for successful projects will be disbursed in early 2022.

Please review the Call for Proposals (CFP), Application Form, and accompanying documents for complete details about eligible projects.

New Service Helps Companies Quickly Resolve Urgent Export Issues

Article author: Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) / Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Published: August 13, 2021

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by Global Affairs Canada, 2021.

Exporter Solutions is a new service from Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service that provides Canadian companies with personalized support to help resolve urgent export issues within one business day. This free service also offers access to self‑serve and find the relevant information, services and programs Canadian businesses may require to avoid potential problems by referring them to the right place to get the right help.

Export performance is critical to restarting Canada’s economy amidst the COVID‑19 pandemic. Now, companies can access urgent support to troubleshoot export‑related situations and avoid costly issues. Through access to expert insights, guidance, and contacts at home and abroad, they will be able to continue selling their goods and services to the world.

“Exporter Solutions is here to help businesses navigate urgent international business situations,” says Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade. “As the world economy emerges from the pandemic, the TCS is in a privileged position to help Canadian businesses grow and succeed in international markets through its funding and support programs and an on‑the‑ground network in more than 160 cities worldwide.”

Canadian businesses have seen major disruptions to well‑established patterns of trade as a result of the COVID‑19 crisis, Ng comments. Firms looking to establish or re‑establish trade often fear going abroad because of the risks. Many don’t know where to start or where to turn for advice on issues such as economic volatility, political uncertainty and intellectual property rights. She says Exporter Solutions can help companies discover and mitigate potential mistakes, save time and money, find the right partner and de‑risk their efforts.

Through Exporter Solutions, Canada’s trade commissioners will work closely with companies to help them troubleshoot, providing free country-specific expert advice and connections with local contacts to work through export-related situations. Companies can also self‑serve by visiting the website to find information on avoiding common problems faced by exporters.

Trade commissioners can help assess the situation a business is facing and provide guidance. Depending on the issue, the TCS can connect the company with a local partner or expert to help resolve the problem. Some concerns may require more in‑depth involvement by the Government of Canada, such as engagement with foreign agencies to identify broader or longer‑term solutions.

According to a recent survey, businesses that used the TCS services in 2019‑2020 agreed that the advice they received helped them make more informed decisions:

• to explore or expand operations abroad (83%)

• find contacts who they would not have found otherwise (81%)

• gain access to intelligence that would be difficult to obtain without the TCS (80%)

Also, 72% of the businesses surveyed agreed that the TCS helped them avoid delays and costly mistakes.

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 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.

Tourism Insurance Survey - Close September 24

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA) that includes TIABC, have formed a task force on the issue of rising insurance premiums in the tourism industry.

We are continuing to hear from operators concerned with commercial insurance access, premium increase, and limited liability coverage. Insurance is a fundamental element in the industry’s ability to build back stronger post pandemic.

To help with TIABC's advocacy work on this issue, please complete this survey by September 24.

We also request that you share the survey link with others who have concerns to ensure as robust a response as possible. Thank you for your time and input.

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce Launches Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has announced the new national Rainbow Registered accreditation program. The accreditation will help consumers and prospective employees to more easily identify LGBT+ friendly businesses across Canada. It will also help businesses of all industries and sizes, demonstrate their commitment and consistent efforts to provide a welcome and accepting experience through progressive policies and practices. 

The Rainbow Registered program is a way for companies to affirm their position on LGBT+ rights and make it clear what their stance is.” said Darrell Schuurman, Chief Executive Officer of the LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. “It’s no longer enough to talk about inclusivity. Canadian consumers and employees are now demanding clear actionable steps that show a business’s values align with their own.”

Rainbow Registered Sets The Bar for Corporate LGBT+ Inclusivity

The program sets a rigorous set of standards that companies must meet before earning the Rainbow Registered mark and the benefits that go along with it. The standards focus on four key areas including policies and practices, training, commitment to inclusive leadership and a culture of inclusivity. The program starts by encouraging businesses to look inwards, examining how they are operating and doing business, finding areas that may be perpetuating unconscious bias, then working closely with CGLCC to forge a path forward to becoming more inclusive.

For a limited time, the first-year sign-up fee is waived for all applicants. Pricing starts at $299 + tax for small businesses and scales to match company size.

It takes less than a week to complete the program, at which point businesses will be able to promote themselves as a Rainbow Registered organization, access CGLCC member benefits, and be included in the Rainbow Registered business directory for consumers.

Companies interested in applying to the rainbow registered program can get started today by completing the first step, a self-assessment found at www.rainbowregistered.ca.

Consumers interested in learning which organizations are accredited can find the business directory at www.rainbowregistered.ca.

Connecting Employers to Immigrant Talent | Immigrant Employment Council of BC

As countries vie for the brightest and the best, BC businesses and industries must work together to take bold, decisive steps to close the skills and labour gap – and immigrants are part of the solution. The Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IECBC) offers BC employers cost-effective and workable solutions to gain a competitive advantage in today’s global talent marketplace, including:

MentorConnect

Learn about our program that brings together skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships.

FAST

Find out how this free, comprehensive set of online tools and resources helps skilled immigrants become better prepared for work in Canada, and connects employers with internationally trained workers.

BC JobConnect

BC JobConnect is a customized online tool connecting BC employers to job-ready newcomers.  This easy-to-use website provides a platform for job-seekers to showcase their skills, education and work experience, and present their profiles and resumes to BC employers looking for workers. Services offered to both the employers and the job-seekers are free.

ASCEND

ASCEND’s self-paced online modules develop newcomers’ employment skills. This minimizes the burden of onboarding while ensuring new hires stay engaged and supported. An innovative and interactive blended learning program focusing on cultivating skilled newcomers’ essential workplace competencies (interpersonal, communication and soft skills). ASCEND uses a strengths-based approach that integrates online and face to face learning to support the employment readiness of newcomers and help BC employers recruit, hire, and integrate immigrant talent.

Register as a Certificate of Recognition (COR) Internal Auditor to Save Up to 10% on WorkSafeBC Premiums

go2HR offers the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program, a certification and incentive program that rewards tourism employers who go above and beyond the legal requirements of the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Registering your business with the Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program makes a strong statement as an employer about how much you value you workers while providing you with up to 10% off of your base WorkSafeBC premiums.

The COR program is available to large employers with 20 or more full-time equivalent employees. Fewer than 20 employees? Check out the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) program here.

Join go2HR’s next COR virtual training session to learn all about the COR program. You’ll learn what it takes to become an auditor, details of the COR program, speak with other registered employers, and gain important occupational health and safety knowledge.

The go2HR website has a wealth of information about the COR program, including an overview of the program, a detailed overview of the audit process, a self-assessment guide, and a health and safety toolkit to help your business achieve COR certification.

BC Vaccine Passport: New Scripts and Scenarios on How to Deal with Challenging Situations - go2HR

go2HR has developed a script page for frontline staff to refer to in situations dealing with the new vaccine passport. Their team of HR, health and safety and training experts have developed scenarios which workers could encounter in their workplace, and suggested scripts on how to respond to challenging interactions, including:

• Scenario A: Guest Requests Vaccination Status of Employees/workforce

• Scenario B: Group of Guests with Varying Vaccine Status

• Scenario C: Presentation of Fraudulent Documentation

Tourism Sector Step 3 Toolkit: Proof of Vaccination Update

The Tourism Industry Association of BC, BC Hotel Association, Destination BC, BC Regional Tourism Secretariat (including TOTA), and Indigenous Tourism BC are pleased to share an updated version of the Step 3 Tourism Industry Toolkit reflecting Proof of Vaccination.

It serves to be a quick guide for tourism operators on communications, health and safety, workforce and marketing. We hope this toolkit is helpful to you, and would be happy to hear any feedback or questions you might still have.

Joint Statement from the Tourism Sector

Continued Travel with Proof of Vaccination

Travel is part of our DNA. It gives us something to look forward to. It brings us joy to experience new places, new tastes, and new ideas. It’s the perfect antidote to recharge, connect with friends and families and create new memories. Tourism is fueled by people who are passionate about their work, their jobs are vital to local economies across British Columbia.

While vaccination records are required for specified events and licensed restaurants, and indoor mask requirements have returned, we are continuing to encourage British Columbians to safely travel across our province and to welcome our neighbours from coast to coast to coast, from the United States, and the rest of the world.

As always, we are encouraging the travelling public to know the requirements that are in place before they go, and for tourism operators to let people know ahead of time what is expected in terms of current regulations.

As the tourism sector continues to opens its doors, there’s a growing demand for workers and opportunities for British Columbians looking for jobs to be a part one of the province’s most important sectors. There is an incredible variety of work with options to suit a wide range of skills.

- Joint statement of: Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC; Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC; Ingrid Jarrett, President and CEO of the BC Hotel Association; Anthony Everett, Chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat; and Richard Porges, President and CEO of Destination BC.

Workplace Vaccination Policy: What Employers Need to Know | go2HR

go2HR has compiled a comprehensive suite of resources to help employers better understand the issues of workplace vaccination policies and to help them decide on an option that would work best for them.

One of the most critical issue facing employers today is the vaccination status of staff. Currently there is no provincial mandate for mandatory vaccination of staff outside of the health care setting. It is up to the individual business to decide on their own policy.

How can an employer navigate this situation while balancing health & safety, human rights, privacy and other related legal requirements? While certainly challenging, it is not impossible.

Service Provider Feature: Integral Hospitality - Outsourced Staffing and Cleaning / Facility Services

Integral Hospitality, a BCHA premier partner, have assisted a number of hotels throughout B.C. with outsourced housekeeping services.

For example, Integral was able to help a BCHA member by supplying two housekeepers to an Okanagan property within 24 hours.

Outsourced housekeeping means employing a third party to look after your housekeeping needs, from delivering trained staff to providing the equipment and cleaning products. A true test of a good outsourced staffing supplier is one that is proficient at moving their model around based on your needs. This means only providing equipment if you need it. It means tailoring staffing based on your needs so whether you are looking for a full suite of housekeeping staff or just temp staff during busier periods, the right third party can help.

Benefits

• Management Prioritization: Outsourcing allows managers to focus on driving occupancy and the guest experience.

• Cost Savings: Significant savings, increased operational cash flow, and higher profits result from outsourcing recurring employee related expenses, staff training and sourcing supplies. Additionally, come tax season there are incremental savings due to reduced payroll taxes.

• Flexibility: Draw from a network of staff to coordinate scheduling during peak times and lulls.

For services, tourism businesses can contact sales@integralservicesgroup.com, (604)-260-7073, or request a quote from the website.

BC Tourism & Hospitality Labour Market Information - Employment Tracker | go2HR

The Employment Tracker reports on monthly changes in employment in the BC Tourism and Hospitality industry. The Tracker draws primarily from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), a monthly household survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The LFS is the most timely source of data on the labour market across Canada.

go2HR receives LFS tables generated by Qatalyst Research Group via Statistics Canada's Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) Program that follows the Tourism Satellite Account’s definition of tourism. This data enables go2HR to track changes in employment and major trends in the Tourism and Hospitality industry in BC and monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism and Hospitality industry.

Reminder: Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Canadian employers who continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to apply for one of the two subsidies to cover part of employee wages.

The Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) support wages you pay through different phases of your economic recovery. Each claim period, eligible employers can claim either CRHP or CEWS, whichever is higher.

Apply for DER3 Digital Resiliency Free Program Before September 14

Innovate BC's DER3, or Digital Economy: Rapid Response + Resiliency program, provides free advisory services and mentorship to B.C. businesses outside of the Lower Mainland. The DER3 program helps businesses expand or create their digital presence.

Register for this great opportunity before program intake ends on September 14.

Get matched with a local business coach ready to help you build an action plan to get online, at no cost and no obligation. 

COVID-19 has created a new normal. New norms, new restrictions, and your business needs to keep running. Businesses like yours are fundamental to BC’s economy. 

Participants are matched with a business coach help you:  

• Identify key steps to get online

• Share resources and tools you can use to solve your business needs

• Access content to build your team's digital skills

Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund: Apply by October 1, 2021

The Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund provides one-time grants to event organizers to support the safe restart of events across B.C. Funds are available to cover a range of operational expenses, up to 20% of your total event budget to a maximum of $250,000 per event.

Eligible events include sport, arts, and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs, rodeos, and exhibitions. Applications submitted by organizations will be required to demonstrate local or regional support and show the economic and social benefits for the community.

Organizations may submit more than one application but not for recurring instances of the same event.

Eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages, and promotion.

Application Timeline

The Province will begin accepting applications on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to support B.C.-based events through the new Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund.

Applications are being accepted until Oct. 1, 2021, for eligible events that take place between July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022. Funding decisions will be communicated by November 2021.

Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Reminder: Safe Travels Stamp Available to Display at Tourism Businesses

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the travel and tourism sector, produced safety and hygiene protocols and guidelines for re-opening tourism that have been embraced by over 1,200 major tourism companies, in over 80 destinations around the world.

As part of the initiative, the WTTC also introduced a Safe Travels Stamp which enables travellers to recognize destinations and tourism companies that have implemented and aligned with the WTTC’s Safe Travels Protocols.

British Columbia’s workplace health & safety protocols exceed the requirements of the Safe Travels initiative. Therefore, the Thompson Okanagan is recognized as a Safe Travels Destination and all B.C. tourism companies can display the Safe Travels Stamp to reassure visitors.

Tourism companies can request the use of the by completing the Safe Travel form via the link provided below

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Businesses can request the use of the Safe Travel Stamp by completing the Safe Travels - Business Request Form. Once you complete the form below, you will receive an email outlining the next steps to receive access to the Safe Travel Stamp.

 Communities, CDMO's, and Tourism Management Organizations in the Thompson Okanagan are able to utilize the Safe Travels Stamp under this agreement. Please contact us at recovery@totabc.com.

BCHA Industry Update on B.C. Proof of Vaccination Requirement

The following excerpt was originally published by the BC Hotel Association on August 26, 2021 in the response to the B.C. Proof of Vaccination Requirement announcement:

“Industry partners at Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) and Destination BC (DBC) have engaged government and are working closely to detail the specifics of the order and ensure that the questions you submitted are answered in full. Furthermore, in the coming weeks we will be releasing a Toolkit for Step 4 of the reopening, and also detail Proof of Vaccination processes to clarify as much as possible for you. Our goal is to ensure that you have the tools and resources needed to operate safely and with confidence. The toolkit will be similar to ones produced for each stage of BC's reopening and will include key messages, operational steps, and added resources, among other critical information.

Our position for the Vaccination passport, is that similar to the circuit breakers, our front line employees cannot be the ones to police the public. We can however play a lead role in ensuring the communications, the understanding, and the policies are clearly communicated, and that our teams are trained as we continue to do everything we can to support a safe business environment between now and the end of the pandemic. We hear you loud and clear – the impact of the announcements without the specifics for operations/communications has once again had a devastating impact on you as business owners and operators. There's been an increase in stress due to uncertainty -- from cancelled meetings and events, which increase the fiscal hardship and liquidity concerns; to employees who are questioning the safety of the work environment without specifics around vaccinations; and once again, the need to update best practices for operating procedures.

Regarding Operations as of September 13

With the introduction of the BC Vaccination Card program, accommodators have not been identified as a setting where proof of vaccination is required; however, many properties have amenities or services that will require proof of vaccination to use. Please note, the government has no plans to mandate immunization as a condition of employment and that this decision is up to each individual business.

The following steps will help prepare accommodators for how to address new proof of vaccination measures.

• STEP 1 | CHOOSING A PoV POLICY

  • Prior to September 13th, accommodators will need to determine what their proof of vaccination policy is. While it is not essential for them to do so, accommodators can introduce their own policy.

  • The main options are outlined below.

    • OPTION 1

      • Make no vaccination requirement for either staff or guests to work or stay at the property

      • NOTE: Public spaces are mandated for masks, and therefore policies to control masks remain in place.

    • OPTION 2

      • Require that ALL employees AND guests be fully vaccinated in order to work and stay at the property

    • OPTION 3

      • Require that all guests be fully vaccinated in order to stay at the property – Employees can remain unvaccinated

    • OPTION 4

      • Require that all employees be vaccinated in order to work at the property – guests can be unvaccinated to stay at the property

  • For options 2, 3, and 4, operators will need to take action to develop and implement their chosen policies. The BCHA will be creating templates to better assist operators in this process. In the meantime, the Business Council of British Columbia and the team at Roper Greyell prepared an informative overview on the shifting public opinion and evolving legal landscape. Read the brief here.

• STEP 2 | DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS SURROUNDING PoV POLICY

  • Many of you reached out with questions on how the vaccination checks would work as you may have areas on property -- like breakfast rooms, fitness centres, meetings spaces, etc. -- that would require proof of vaccination in order to use. The BCHA is acutely aware of workforce crisis we are dealing with. It would be unreasonable to expect that workers be stationed at each point of entry, which would also create multiple points of potential confrontation for workers. The contentiousness of this program is a burden we certainly do not want our workers to bear. We will be including best practices for developing protocols and sharing it with you as soon as we have the necessary information from PHO.

  • Because of this, the BCHA is advocating that any accommodator offering services where proof of vaccination would be required, check for BC Vaccine Cards at the point of check-in, and only then. Should you wish to move forward with a vaccination mandate for guests, we also encourage PoV check at check-in; employee mandated vaccinations will need to be done internally.

• STEP 3 | COMMUNICATING ON YOUR CHANNELS

  • Clear communication to both guests and staff will be fundamental to ensuring that this transition goes smoothly. All of this information, key messages, and further details will be included in the PoV Toolkit that I mentioned is being built out and will be available to you as soon as we have the specific information from the Ministry of Health.

  • Operators will need to clearly communicate their proof of vaccination policy:

    • on their website

    • at time of online booking

    • vocalized at time of over-the-phone or in-person booking

    • in a pre-arrival email

    • with signage posted at entryways and in-front of any PoV-required setting ie. fitness centre, breakfast room, meeting space etc.

    • with OTA's and third party booking platforms

FINAL COMMENTS:

Please note, that we are committed to ensuring that our position to only check proof of vaccination at check-in is accepted by the PHO, in order to best protect businesses, our employees, as well as our guests. This approach will make the most sense operationally, and will refrain businesses from having to shut down their amenities and services. From the feedback we are receiving from you it also will grow confidence for travellers, as well as meeting and events organizers as we look to rebuild business this fall. We will keep you updated on where this advocacy work lands and will continue to keep you updated on the toolkit.”