COVID-19: Provincial changes to the Employment Standards Act
The Province has made two significant changes to the Employment Standards Act to better support workers both during the COVID-19 public health emergency and in the long term. Firstly, changes will allow workers to immediately take unpaid, job-protected leave if they are unable to work for reasons relating to COVID-19. This means workers who are […]
COVID-19 Action Plan: B.C.’s first steps to support businesses – March 23, 2020
British Columbians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and direct funding for people, businesses and services. “The COVID-19 pandemic challenges our health, our economy and our way of life. People and businesses urgently need support,” said Premier John Horgan. “Our action plan focuses on services to […]
CHAMBER seeks feedback from business community
NOTE: We erred!! The District intended us to respond directly, and never meant for this to go public! Ooops! However, we as a Chamber are still interested in your feedback. Please send your feedback to info@sookeregionchamber.com How are things going for you? How are your staff doing? Are there any issues with keeping your business/organization staffed? […]
Business support: from federal to local, current and coming
– photo from Gregory Varano. The shop signs are from Barbs barber shop, seaside Sweets, power Supply LTD, Moms Cafe, Sooke Brewery, Sooke Buy and Sell and island Haircutting.This Montage illustrates the local Sooke business community doing its part in the fight against Covid-19 Support for Business Wage Subsidy To support businesses and help prevent […]
COVID-19 business impacts survey generates almost 8000 responses
BC Chamber-led survey reveals severe impacts taking toll, calls to action are clear March 19, 2020, Vancouver, BC –The BC Chamber of Commerce (and its 120-member chamber network) in partnership with Small Business BC, The BC Economic Development Association, and Community Futures BC, launched a survey on March 13 to understand specific impacts BC businesses […]
Seeing opportunity in the face of change
Dear Chamber Members and the Sooke Business Community, Expect to hear from us throughout this pandemic crisis! We are working hard to keep you informed on matters affecting Sooke, BC, and Canada. In between battle cries, we are learning how some businesses continue to find success by altering and expanding their services in adaptation […]
BC Minister of Tourism warns COVID-19 impact will be significant
I want to start by thanking you for your leadership in this unprecedented situation. I know you are all working in extremely difficult and quickly-changing circumstances. The impacts of COVID-19 to the tourism sector will be significant and are already being felt. During these trying times, I want to reassure you that the entire provincial […]
Premier Horgan’s address to BC, March 17 2020: Schools are suspended, economic plans are in progress
John Horgan: “This is a crisis situation.” Top issues: Supporting businesses Impact on Education Inter-governmental cooperation Employment standards act will be modified to prevent layoffs should someone have to stay home due to illness. The province will lobby the federal government to ensure that Employment Insurance act does not “short change” people in crisis. Financial supports will […]
COVID-19 Prime Minister’s Update: March 17, 2020
At 11:30 Eastern time (8:30 Pacific Time), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the country. Here is a summary of what was said. Anything that appears in quotes is directly attributable to Trudeau. Ontario has declared a provincial state of emergency. “Ontario is taking the right steps.” Trudeau took a moment to recognize and appreciate […]
Canadian Chamber welcomes today’s comments by Prime Minister Trudeau
March 13, 2020 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement (see the full video below) regarding the government’s financial system response plan for COVID-19: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes today’s commitment by the Prime Minister to assist individuals and small and medium-sized businesses that have been hard-hit by the pandemic. […]
