Ideas Labs are a series of online workshops on original topics requested by tourism operators across the province. The labs will bring small groups together in a business-to-business learning environment to address hot topics where solutions to common problems are discussed and shared, and new ideas are incubated.
Read MoreThe new Launch Online Grant program will provide business owners with up to $7,500 to build or improve their online store and promote BuyBC at a local, national, and international level. The Launch Online Grant program is based on a first come, first-served basis. The program will run until March 31, 2021, or until all funds are distributed.
Read MoreIn December 2020, the B.C. Tourism Task Force presented a final report to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport with a series of recommendations for the immediate allocation of $50 million in funding to support the recovery of tourism businesses and enhance the tourism industry’s long-term competitiveness.
Read MoreCMHA Kelowna is offering virtual counselling for adults 25+ through single-sessions with a counselling team. This service is available free of charge to individuals, couples, families, and caregivers of youth who are struggling. Those who are having difficulty coping with the challenges related to the COVID pandemic are also welcome to access these supports. Other CMHA offices in the Thompson Okanagan include CMHA Kamloops, CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke, CMHA Vernon, and CMHA South Okanagan Similkameen, For service outside of these areas contact CMHA British Columbia.
Read MoreBounceBack is a program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, stress, worry, mild to moderate depression, and/or anxiety. It is available for free, to work at your own pace online or over the phone with a trained coach. Provided by Canadian Mental Health Association British Columbia.
Read MoreIntroduction to Mental Health at Work is a virtual, 45-minute course providing foundational information about mental health, the role of the workplace, plus how and why employers should promote well-being throughout their organization. It is a great starting point on the road to a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.
Read MoreFree educational courses for anyone and everyone who wants to gain confidence to face life’s challenges. Recordings of past webinars are available and new courses are offered regularly, including topics related to resilience, setting healthy boundaries, and healthy coping strategies.
Read MoreApplications open October 26 for grants of up to $5,000 to cover costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications to business to meet health and safety requirements, and enhance digital/e-commerce capabilities.
Read MoreTourism businesses can sign up for a FREE subscription to eLearningU to gain access to live and recorded webinars for Canadian tourism marketing, internet marketing, social media, branding, sales, packaging, and more.
Members will have access to the full webinar library of 350+ recordings, live webinars, and the Tourism Digital Marketing Certification Program.
Read MoreOctober 9, 2020 - Ongoing
Read MoreThe Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
Read MoreThe Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) released free to download Adventure Travel COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for the following activities:
Trekking
Cycling
Rafting
Camping including Food Prep in the field
Culinary Experiences
Cultural Tours & Sightseeing
Small Lodges
Small Vessels Cruising
Skiing & Snowboarding
Wildlife Experiences & Safaris
Upon downloading and implementation of the guidelines, businesses are eligible for a digital and print badge to show that you are actively following the ATTA Guidelines for Healthy and Safe practices
Read MoreThe Hospitality Professional Program will support Okanagan tourism businesses by training 40 British Columbians for a variety of positions within the Hospitality sector. Okanagan College will provide a unique online training program and work experience component to prepare participants for jobs in the hospitality industry, enabling them to grow their careers in the industry while supporting a more skilled and resilient tourism workforce.
Participants must meet the definition of an “EI client,” be eligible for WorkBC Case Management, and be referred by a WorkBC Case Manager.
Intake 1
Online Course Dates: Sept. 28, 2020 – Jan. 29, 2021
Work Experience and Follow Up Support: Feb. 1 – April 30, 2021
CECRA provides forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners, whether they have a mortgage on their property or not. The loans cover 50 per cent of three to six monthly rent payments for eligible small business tenants.
Read Morego2HR is pleased to support a new Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19, which was developed by the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) in partnership with workplace mental health expert Diana Vissers, Work to Wellness.
Within this FREE and comprehensive toolkit, users will have access to:
5 Part - Virtual Summit with industry experts to create an intimate dialogue on their recommendations in light of COVID-19
Information packs, checklists, and other resources designed to better equip you or your co-workers to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19
Online discussion forum where you can offer support, encouragement, and share your experiences with managing your stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 Tourism Workforce Recovery Toolkit is a practical, no-cost online program designed to help tourism operators succeed during this unprecedented crisis – now and into the future. Drawing from a myriad of public-domain, academic and business resources, this Toolkit – which includes presentations, checklists and downloadable content – will be frequently updated to support tourism operators at every stage of their journey. Topics include Communications, Workforce, Budget & Finance, Marketing, and Strategy.
Read MoreThe BCRTS is gathering CECRA advocacy letters to deliver to the Finance Minister. As CECRA funding is greatly under-subscribed, there is an opportunity to adjust and expand the ways in which the program can help businesses and our stakeholders. The federal gov't is asking for letters that 'humanize' the situation facing business owners and demonstrate how suggested program changes would help them. Read more for a quick cheat sheet with tips for writing advocacy letters and a sample format to save time.
Read MoreThe BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group released B.C. Meetings & Events Safe Restart Guidelines that will form the basis for the eventual re-opening of the sector. These comprehensive, high-level guidelines are meant for all types of events and operators so industry can conduct meetings and events in a safe, controlled, and effective manner.
The document was vetted by WorkSafe BC, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Provincial Health Ministry. The goal is to encourage government and PHO to loosen restrictions on meetings and events with a phased approach.
The BC Meetings & Events Industry Working Group is rallying the industry together to adopt the guidelines and they will engage with the BC government to advocate for a restart plan with a phased approach for meetings and events.
Read MoreTo further support businesses, the B.C. employer health tax (EHT) 2020 quarterly instalment dates have been extended as follows:
Dec. 31, 2020 (original instalment date was June 15, 2020)
Jan. 31, 2021 (original instalment date was Sept. 15, 2020)
Feb. 28, 2021 (original instalment date was Dec. 15, 2020)
The Province is delaying implementation dates for several changes to help businesses and families through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, including:
Provincial sales tax (PST)
B.C.’s carbon tax
Elimination of the PST exemption for carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners
Addition of new PST registration and collection requirements for e-commerce businesses located outside B.C.
