The B.C. Ministry of Health has published new 'Guidance for Outside Dining Spaces.' This document provides information on ways businesses must comply with the Provincial Health Officer's Order on Food and Liquor Serving Premises, specifically the requirements for providing outside food or drink services.
Read MoreThe B.C. increased employment incentive is a one-time refundable tax credit for employers. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2021. For each eligible employee, eligible remuneration must not exceed the maximum amount of $1,129.33 per week.
Read MoreThe BC Government has made regulatory improvements under the Employment Standards Act to bring in job-protected leave for workers needing time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Full- and part-time workers can take time off to receive the vaccine, or take a dependent family member. The government is also exploring options to provide workers with paid leave while getting their vaccine.
Read MoreFree workshops, webinars and information to help employers and employees in industries hard-hit by the pandemic manage stress and build resiliency. The Workplace Mental Health Hub provides a range of tools for workers in the tourism, hospitality, and community social services and other sectors to improve their overall mental health as well as navigation support to connect to other mental health services, including counselling and peer support.
Read MoreGrants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19, with an additional $5,000 to $15,000 available to eligible tourism-related businesses.
UPDATE: The application deadline has been extended to August 31, 2021, or until funds are fully committed, whichever comes first.
Businesses now only need to show a 30% revenue loss from March 2020 to now, when compared to the same one-month period in 2019.
If businesses need extra help gathering the right documents during the application stage, or support with translation or interpretation services, they can now get that help from a Small Business BC vetted professional service provider. This service will now be included in the up to $2,000 in additional government funding paid to the service provider.
List of Province of British Columbia updates relevant to COVID-19.
Read MoreMarch 18, 2020 - Ongoing
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
To 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.
Provincial enforcement officers have been given the ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events.
They can also issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following the direction of police or enforcement staff at events or who refuse to comply with requests to follow PHO orders or safe operating procedures, or respond with abusive behaviour.
Read MoreEmployers who need to extend workers' temporary layoffs beyond the end of August are reminded to apply for a variance using the Employment Standards Branch’s new online application by August 25. Employers can avoid permanent layoffs and severance payments for eligible employees while the economy restarts by applying for a temporary layoff extension beyond 24 weeks.
Read MoreBeginning on August 1, 2020, a new needs-based B.C. Access Grant will remove barriers to post-secondary education and training by providing financial support for students at B.C. public post-secondary institutions.
Read MoreBusinesses who are eligible for CECRA but whose landlord does not apply for the program are protected from eviction or seizure of property for the duration of the federal rent assistance program. The order will protect small businesses in British Columbia and encourage landlords to apply for the joint federal-provincial relief program.
Read MoreAlacrity Canada is offering a new virtual Digital Marketing Bootcamp that will support people and businesses as they move online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness will cover tuition costs for participating BC-based small- and medium-sized businesses. Registration is open until July 31, 2020.
Read MoreBC Liquor and Food primaries can now purchase liquor at wholesale price.
Read MoreThe temporary provincial authorization for restaurants and bars to sell packaged liquor for off-site consumption was extended to October 31, 2020. Restaurants can offer liquor sales as part of take-out options as a way to increase revenue.
Read MoreB.C. Farm, Fish and Food Businesses post job opportunities to connect with individuals looking for work in the agri-food sector.
Read MoreIncreased funding for programs for healthy food coupons. Will now also apply to online farmers’ markets.
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