“When it became clear we would not be able to operate under normal circumstances this summer and had to cancel a sold-out season, we turned our attention to the environment to give back to the coast that sustains us,” says Kevin Smith, CEO of Maple Leaf Adventures and co-lead on the project.

Working collaboratively with other small ship tour operators, local first nations, provincial scientists and with funding from the provincial government the project became a reality. The massive cleanup of up to 1,000 km of coastal beaches along the Great Bear Rainforest, is projected to take 100 tonnes of marine waste out of the eco-system over the next few weeks. Kudos to the 175 people from the surrounding first nations and tour companies, involved in this #BCCoastalCleanup.

Learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures, during the CHEK broadcast of this year’s Business Awards on Sept 19th at 6 p.m.

The modified tobacco plant provides a protein, like the spike protein in COVID, that is used to develop antibody tests. The team of biologists is prepping to work with manufacturing partners to determine if the plant-produced protein is a viable option for widely used serology tests.

Kudos to all of our members innovating and pivoting during this crisis.

Join us online Wed, Sept 16 to be inspired by other local innovators.

Described as “similar to home pregnancy tests” prototypes exist in research labs, but concerns remain high that people may use the test incorrectly or misinterpret the results. Much like a pregnancy test, the home test does not negate the need for medical follow-up.

“In response to the evolution of the pandemic, Health Canada is now considering applications for home testing devices for screening purposes,” said Cole Davidson, spokesperson for the Minister of Health said in a statement.

This is positive news for health experts who have long argued that frequent, accessible testing would provide a positive results in keeping the sick at home and beating the pandemic.

The federal government has also secured deals this week for up to 114 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccines from Novovax and Johnson & Johnson. The government has hedged its bets for public health by also signing agreements for another 76 million vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, with a final agreement with Oxford University’s AstraZeneca vaccine pending. Ottawa’s final goal is production of the vaccine in Canada.

Being conscious of what you eat is an essential part of keeping your body and mind healthy. Learning ways to prepare healthy meals can create good habits for the rest of the year.

The Government of Canada has created a guide for healthy eating during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guide provides recipe suggestions, meal planning resources and information on ways to eat better while saving money. Interested in receiving personalized advice? Nutritionists can be included in your Chamber Group Insurance Plan.

When picking up groceries, keep the Canadian Food Guide in mind while preparing meals — have plenty of veggies and fruits, eat protein such as meat and nuts, choose whole-grain pasta and rice, and make water your drink of choice.

If you’re missing a key vitamin or nutrient from your diet, consider purchasing immune boosting supplements from a Chamber member.

And if you don’t feel like cooking, enjoy dinner at a Chamber Member Patio. Go while the sun is shining and choose healthy options on the menu. Or order takeout from a local restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal at home.