I just wanted to provide you with an update on some pandemic supports and other information from the Surrey Pandemic Rapid Response Business Centre at the Surrey Board of Trade. If you need anything, contact my team noted at the end – they can serve you in different languages as well.
1. NEW EXPANDED HEALTH ORDER INFORMATION sent on November 11 by Fraser Health (look at resource links that will further explain the health order).
https://businessinsurrey.com/2020/11/detail-clarity-on-new-provincial-health-orders/
2. AIR TRAVEL
The Governments of Alberta and Canada announced a COVID-19 testing pilot for Canadians arriving from international destinations at Calgary International Airport (YYC) and the Coutts land border crossing. The pilot, which aims to safely reduce the 14-day quarantine to as little as two days, is a positive step towards increasing confidence in the travelling public and helping in the fight against COVID-19. YVR and WestJet are very supportive of its development. For YVR and WestJet, it is crucial that a science-based approach is taken to improving public confidence in air travel. With their pilot, there are two objectives in mind: testing the tests and testing the process. As there are many testing technologies, their first objective is about selecting a type of rapid test that is useful in an airport environment, scalable to recovering passenger traffic volumes and has strong potential for future Health Canada approval. https://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/2020/preparing-our-pilot-for-takeoff
3. NEW FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES
The Federal Government is providing over $155 million to extend the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program’s (NRC IRAP) Innovation Assistance Program (IRAP IAP). https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/nrc-irap-innovation-assistance-program-iap
4. INTERNATIONAL TRADE – NEW DIRECTORY FOR CANADA’S COVID PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO GLOBAL BUYERS
Is your company ready to export solutions that can help support the fight against COVID‑19? If so, you can request to be considered for addition to the Canadian COVID‑19 Capabilities Directory by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). The directory is used by a network of trade commissioners to showcase the capabilities of export‑ready Canadian firms with COVID‑19‑related capabilities to potential buyers across the globe, and to match these Canadian companies with international business opportunities. Whether you are manufacturing medical supplies, providing digital health services, building temporary medical facilities or offering solutions for healthy workplaces, if your company is ready to export and has the capacity to meet the demands of international markets, submit your request to be included in the Canadian COVID‑19 Capabilities Directory today. https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/capabilities_directory-repertoire_capacites.aspx?lang=eng
5. INTERNATIONAL TRADE FUNDING
Small and medium sized companies may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities. They cover up to 75% of costs for export marketing of your products and services in international markets where you have little or no sales. https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/funding-financement/canexport/sme-pme/index.aspx?lang=eng
6. NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PANDEMIC SUPPORTS
The Federal Government introduced legislation related to the changes proposed for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the new Lockdown Support, as well as the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS). These need to receive Royal Assent prior to implementation by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Surrey Board of Trade is monitoring and asking for expediency. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/11/government-introduces-legislation-for-new-targeted-support-to-help-businesses-through-pandemic.html
7. YOUR BUSINESS SUPPORT TEAM: For assistance at any time, please reach out to your choice of a Surrey Board of Trade Team member below:
Anita Huberman, CEO – anita@businessinsurrey.com
Indra Bhan, COO – indra@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Hindi)
Moiez Babar, Business Development & Member Relations – moiez@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Hindi)
Jasroop Gosal, Policy Coordinator – jasroop@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Punjabi)
John Lim, Business Development Coordinator – john@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Korean)
Melissa Peel, Business & International Trade Manager – melissa@businessinsurrey.com (speaks French)
Heather Booth, Events & Communications Manager – heather@businessinsurrey.com
Rhona Doria, Events & Sponsorship Coordinator – rhona@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Tagalog)
Mirdula Babu, Administrative Specialist – info@businessinsurrey.com (speaks Hindi)
