1. Employers need to have their workers on the job. So far, only 22% of businesses have accessed the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy. It’s clear that government needs to make this program more accessible.
2. Commercial rent relief needs to be improved. Only 25% of businesses reported they have been able to get relief from rent or mortgage payments.
3. Safety requirements remain a priority and require businesses to be able to source personal protective equipment — especially sectors that require physical proximity, such as retail, events, hotels and food services.

 
To help our members learn more about how they can benefit from the wage subsidy program, as well as its tax implications, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams is hosting Matthew Hohnsbehn, Liaison Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Kris Wirk, Partner, at Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants, on Aug. 11.

The changes could also increase the cost of premiums for employers by about 1.4 cents for every $100 of payroll, Labour Minister Harry Bains said.
 
The proposal includes raising maximum insurable earnings to $100,000, allowing preventative medical treatments before a claim is accepted and making it easier for workers to access benefits if they catch COVID-19. WorkSafeBC would also be able to get warrants allowing them to search workplaces during investigations.
 
During the pandemic, WorkSafeBC has allowed businesses to defer paying premiums for six months without penalty or interest. As well, as an extra help for hard-hit businesses, WorkSafeBC waived premiums on wages paid to workers of employers receiving the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy for the duration of the program.

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams moderated a panel of tourism experts: Indu Brar from the Fairmont Empress, Ian Robertson of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Randy Wright from Harbour Air Seaplanes.
 
The panel spoke candidly about the effect that the pandemic has had on their business, and how they’re pivoting to get through the crisis. The Fairmont Empress, for example, has introduced Lunch on the Lawn every Saturday to attract locals. Brar said it is a “time for creativity” and our destination needs to do a little more work to remind British Columbians about our region’s incomparable location.
 
“We live in one of the of the most beautiful places in the world,” she said, adding there’s no better place for people to find the human connection we’re all craving.
 
The Chamber is working with all levels of government to ensure they continue to invest in the tourism sector to provide the certainty needed to get through until at least next year.

Wish you could have watched it live? Don’t worry, click here to sign up and see the event.

The interviews offer insight into each woman’s experience with discrimination and bigotry and why it’s so important to prioritize actions that will disrupt and change the systemic racism that is an unfortunate reality for Black Canadians.

Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria: Member since 1996