JANUARY 2022
Chamber at a
Glance
In This Issue Funding, Grants and Loans Winter 2022 Events Calendar New Members & Member Profiles SUMMARY: Government of Canada’s Economic and Fiscal Update 2021
RELFECTING BACK & MOVING FORWARD A
s I write this, 2021 is ticking down to
This
program
offers
$2,500
towards
This
growth
will
only
continue
if
your
the final moments. The New Year always
business growth and has proven to be a
Chamber shows value to the members it
brings
popular support.
serves. Please continue to reach out to
hope
happiness, closes,
and
and
optimism
success.
office
or
myself
with
concerns,
of
better represent you. Our unified voice is
Covid counts, it would be easy to mistake
opportunities for local shopping and why
this milestone for Groundhog Day instead.
it matters to the community. Print, radio,
is
very
important
recent
the
challenge of Omicron and its increasing
it
the
year
challenges, and experiences so we can
think
with
health,
this
Moving into 2022, the Brandon Chamber
I
especially
for
As
that
we
Commerce
will
continue
to
promote
and social media advertising will highlight
Be resilient, be safe, be kind and continue
this
to be leaders. Our community needs all of
effort.
Individual
businesses
can
remember just how far we have come in
strongly support this initiative by providing
2021. Moving out of lockdown, we have
safe,
consistently
store.
shown
that
business
can
amazing
customer
Demonstrating
experiences
the
“home
field
advantage” we all have.
and
also means business to business. Please
staff.
offered
PPE,
and ways
rapid
testing,
vaccine to
spacing,
passports
mitigate
risk,
have
reduce
hospitalizations and allow the economy to
look
for
purchase
any
Local shopping
opportunities
from
other
you
companies
can in
to our
smooth road, or a straight path, but it has us
to
continue
towards
our
destination. It is also important that when things seem to be too big to handle, we break it down in chunks and focus on the things we can control.
Your Chamber has continued to advocate with
government
businesses possible
while
requirements. voiced
the
to
open
in
ensure as
meeting We
need
have
for
many
we
have
ways
Public also
"It has not been a smooth road, or a straight path, but it has allowed us to continue towards our destination."
as
Health
Within the framework of Manitoba Public
strongly
Health orders and best practices, we will
the
look to continue holding live events such
cost to business when they are forced to
as luncheons, coffees and Business After
close or scale back for the greater good
5.
of the community. We have worked locally
among our Chamber members. I hope you
with the City of Brandon to create the
will
Brandon
connect this year.
Economic
recognition
Recovery
of
Barry Cooper President Brandon Chamber of Commerce
community.
continue to function. It has not been a
allowed
you!
in
operate in a safe way for our customers
vaccines
our greatest strength!
Program
These
look
allow
to
fun,
these
as
safe
an
interactions
opportunity
to
(BERP) and will see it continue into the spring.
Our
Chamber
membership
continues
to
grow through this pandemic.
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
02
CHAMBER MEMBER MEET A MEMBER: CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN MANITOBA
The health and well-being of children and families in Western Manitoba will continue
to
commitment
drive to
our
improve
Agency’s
the
services
we deliver locally.
What exactly does your organization do? Child
and
Manitoba profit
Family
Services
(CFSWMB)
charitable
community
is
a
of
Agency
elected
Western
private, led
volunteer
non-
by
a
Board
of
Directors, with representation from across our
service
area.
Our
Agency
provides
mandated child protection services and a variety
of
prevention
strengthening
services
and
in
our
family Westman
What are the most important issues facing your organization today?
miles.
Our
main
office
is
in
Brandon but we have offices and staff in many rural communities.
129 - 12th Street
ongoing
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4L8
stressors
and
uncertainties
and how we can best help to meet
(204) 729-9964
families’ needs.
blc@blcbrandon.com
Issues in our communities relating to mental chronic
health,
substance
stresses
that
use,
impact
and
family
functioning.
have
a
long
collaborating community
and
to
tradition
engaging
strengthen
with
and
of the
support
Why is your organization a member of the Chamber?
families. We became incorporated as a private Agency in 1899, making CFSWMB one of the longest serving child welfare
our
variety
of
family
strengthening programs for the whole community
with
our
Elspeth
Reid
work
is
guided
(855) 352-3733 info@debtfreenorth.com
Helping Hands 111 7th Street Brandon, Manitoba R7A 3S5
Family Resource Centre
(204) 727-4635
Bringing awareness to ourselves and
helpinghands@wcgwave.ca
other
helping
agencies
as
being
a
part of the business community
agencies in the country.
Our
debtfreenorth.com
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4E7
Being part of the community
standing
C. Buhler & Associates Ltd. 119 10th Street
Safety and well-being of staff.
Showcasing We
blcbrandon.com
The impact of pandemic on families
jurisdictional area of approximately 12000 square
Brandon Literacy Council Inc.
Jen Luckay Designs jenluckaydesigns.ca
by
our
663 - 16th Street
mission
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4Y5
statement:
(867) 446-6219 jenluckaydesigns@gmail.com
Child and Family Services exists so that children are safe and nurtured in strong loving
families
within
a
community
Lighthouse Wellness Centre
of
lighthousewellnesscentre.ca
caring people
What are the organization?
goals
for
The goals of our Board and Agency are: Families
are
strengthened
29 - 10th St Brandon
your
and
supported. Children are protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation.
Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4E4
CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF WESTERN MANITOBA 800 MCTAVISH AVENUE BRANDON, MB R7A 7L4
Children in our care are nurtured and supported in ways that promote their well-being.
(204) 726-6030 (WORK) INFO@CFSWESTERN.MB.CA HTTP://WWW.CFSWESTERN.MB.CA
Children and families will benefit from the
Agency
working
in
partnership
(204) 728-0054 office@lighthousewellnesscentre.ca
Reliance Home Comfort reliancehomecomfort.com/brandon 901 - 9th Street Brandon, Manitoba R7A 3X9 1-888-837-1451 cchalmers@reliancecomfort.com
CHAMBER MEMBER FOR 30+ YEARS!
with the Community.
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
03
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS:
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE: VIRTUAL EDITION 9:00am - 10:00am | February 4, 2022
These mini events are held the first Friday of every month and are an excellent networking opportunity for you and your business. Chamber Coffees promote the exchange of ideas and discussion and often we host special guests with insights on current issues and topics relevant to our members.
Virtual Event via Zoom | FREE | Registration Required
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP SERIES: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS 12:00pm - 1:00pm | February 15, 2022 Join ACC instructor and serial entrepreneur, Michelle Budiwski on discovering how do we build trust by starting with our organization and ourselves to understand our purpose, our why.
Virtual Event via Zoom | $15/per person (+tax) early bird | Registration Required
FEBRUARY LUNCHEON: BUILDING SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE WITH IAN SEUNARINE 11:00am - 1:00pm | February 17, 2022 Join us February 17th to listen to Ian Seunarine, Chair of Supply Chain Manitoba and Director of Sales and Business Development of the Duha Group, speak on current supply chain issues and how we can rebuild business in a post-pandemic world.
Keystone Centre | $35/per person (+tax) early bird | Registration Required
MARCH LUNCHEON: ECONOMIC OUTLOOK WITH AARON GOERTZEN 11:00am - 1:00pm | March 8, 2022 Join us March 8, 2022 to hear Aaron Goertzen, an experienced economist with BMO speak.
Our
annual Economic Outlook event delivers global, national, regional and local economic forecasts from Canada's premier economists.
Victoria Inn - Grand Salon | $35/per person (+tax) early bird | Registration Required
REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS AT BRANDONCHAMBER.CA or CALL 204 571 5340 *Please note that things change! So keep in mind that dates, times, speakers, locations and formats can change and/or be cancelled. Double vaccination is required to attend Chamber in-person events. To learn more about how we are keeping you safe, visit brandonchamber.ca.
Thank You to our past Sponsors! December Luncheon
Host
First Friday Coffees
Small Business Workshop Series
Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Contact the Chamber to learn more! 204 571 5343 CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
04
COVID FUNDING + YOUR BUSINESS
Targeted COVID-19 relief subsidies and grants now available to hardest-hit sectors you need to know about. The Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave Program provides employers with up to $600 per employee for up to five full days of COVID-19 related sick leave, which do not have to be taken consecutively.
The Manitoba Sector Support Program provides $22 million in further support for businesses affected by the most recent COVID-19 public health orders.
Through the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), you can receive $500 ($450 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.
The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB) gives temporary income support to employed and self-employed people who cannot work due to a COVID-19 lockdown.
The program is available to businesses such Eligible sick leave related to COVID-19 as restaurants, hotels and bars that provide includes testing, vaccinations and side dine-in food services, fitness and recreation effects, self-isolation due to COVID-19 facilities, movie theatres, performance symptoms, or care for a loved one in any of venues and museums. the previously mentioned circumstances. This program would provide support for sick leave taken Opened January 4, 2022. An online assessment tool will be between May 7, 2021 (the day the program is announced) and available by the end of the holidays and businesses would have March 31, 2022. Payments could occur beyond this period until January 31, 2022 to apply depending upon sign-up. Deadline to submit all applications is April 15, 2022.
To apply for the CRSB, you must meet all the eligibility criteria and be employed or selfemployed on the day before your first application period.
If you are eligible for the CWLB, you can receive $300 ($270 after taxes withheld) for each 1-week period.
You may apply for any weeks your region is eligible between The CRSB is extending until May 7, 2022. The maximum number October 24, 2021 and May 7, 2022. of weeks you can apply for also increases to 6 weeks. You can apply retroactively for periods 61 to 63 until February 16, 2022 if you are eligible.
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
05
SUMMARY: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S ECONOMIC AND FISCAL UPDATE 2021 December 16, 2021 / Author: Elisabeth Saftiuk / Source: Manitoba Chamber of Commerce / mbchamber.mb.ca
MCC’s Director of Policy Elisabeth Saftiuk provides a review of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland’s updated accounting of federal finances and the federal government’s economic outlook for the coming months, as presented on December 14 in Ottawa. The Economic and Fiscal Update offered a broad
spending
vision
and
Highlights
The
committed
billions of dollars in new spending to help
The
Canadians
wade
Canada
COVID-19
pandemic.
includes
$4.5
through
billion
the
New to
ongoing spending
combat
the
Government
intent
Health
of
procure
hire
November
24,
introduced
the
provinces
extend
territories
to
to
workers’
acquire
and
the
administer 180 million rapid testing kits, and
Program
$7.3 billion to procure vaccine boosters.
employers
Major spending commitments made during the
recent
federal
election
to
back
hours
2021,
the
May
7,
local
face
COVID-19-related
lockdowns with up to the maximum amount available through the wage
and
wages.
government
for
to
Hiring eligible
revenue
and rent subsidy programs.
On
legislation
2022,
Program that
The
Recovery
current
new
Lockdown
organizations
encourage
workers
and
necessary
with
the
Program.
is
Canada
until
extended
Hiring
program
COVID-19 therapeutics, $1.7 billion to help and
Canada
this
employers increase
has
Recovery
of
Omicron variant, $2 billion for the Public Agency
Local
provides
losses
The
Government
has
committed
to
relieving supply chain congestion and bottlenecks.
In
2021-22,
the
government will launch a new, targeted call
for
proposals
under
subsidy rate to 50 per cent.
Canadian ports with the acquisition of cargo
storage
to
capacity
and
other
The Government is targeting supports for
measures
increases to provinces and territories, and
businesses hit hardest by the pandemic:
congestion. The Fund will dedicate up
change
initiatives
have
been
delayed until the spring budget.
According
to
the
fiscal
update,
the
to
$50
relieve
assist
including housing supports, health transfer
climate
to
Fund
National
Trade
campaign,
Corridors
the
above 10 per cent, and to increase the
million
to
supply
support
chain
eligible
The Tourism and Hospitality Recovery
priority projects. Further details on the
Program
targeted
wage
provides and
support
rent
for
proposals
will
be
organizations
hospitality sectors such as hotels, tour
The Government introduced a new 25
operators, travel agencies, restaurants
per
and organizations that plan and host
owners offset the cost of investing in
festivals or live performances, with a
new
subsidy rate of up to 75 per cent.
equipment.
was
projecting.
It
also
is
forecasting to end the current fiscal year $144.5 billion in the red, down roughly $10 billion from the $154.7 billion projected last year.
The
Government
also
renewed
the
Bank of Canada’s agreement on Canada’s monetary
policy
framework
until
2026,
which included renewing an inflation target of between 1 to 3 per cent with a target of 2 per cent. The Government expects the
tourism
call
announced in the coming weeks.
a $327 billion deficit, down from the $354 it
the
to
government ended the last fiscal year with
billion
in
through
subsidies
and
cent
tax
credit
ventilation
to
and
Another
help
air
$110
business
filtration
million
has
been allocated to provinces, territories, The
Hardest-Hit
Program wage
Business
provides and
organizations
support
rent that
Recovery through
subsidies
have
faced
and
First
Nations
communities
ventilation-related
to
projects in schools, in addition to $70
deep
million over three years for ventilation
losses, with a subsidy rate of up to 50
projects
per cent.
community centres.
in
hospitals,
libraries,
economy to grow by 4.6 per cent this year.
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
for
improvement
06
and
The
Government
announced
plans
to
allocate $40 billion to compensate First
We welcomed the following measures from
regulatory
the Fall Economic Statement:
interprovincial
Nations and to reform foster care.
Other funding highlights include: million
public
over
three
spaces
to
in
years
to
adapt
governments for school and workplace
We
social
testing.
emerged from COVID before tackling our
facilitate
payments
afford
to
wait
until
we
have
Introduction of a tax credit for small
core challenges that will inhibit long-term
businesses
growth.
Statement
unfortunately
received emergency aid in 2020 recoup
Extension of the home office expense
back below 2% real GDP growth after the
drops in their GIS payments.
deduction.
post-pandemic bounce back. We urge the
low-income
seniors
to
cannot
economic
200,000
one-time
new markets for exporters.
improvements.
help
million
modernizing
distribution by provincial and territorial
distancing and outdoor gatherings. $742.4
dismantling
barriers,
Canada’s privacy legislation and opening Funding for rapid test kits to support
$30
reform,
who
to
support
ventilation
$67.9 million to help students with debt
government
related to improperly claiming the CERB
The
instead
trajectory
of
the
Canada
Emergency
Canadian of
Chamber
welcomes
decreasing
the
deficit-to-GDP
to
The
make
Fall
Economic
projects
these
slipping
measures
priority and to table an early budget after Parliament resumes in the New Year.”
Student Benefit (CESB).
ratios and urges the government to adhere
$385 million over two years to extend the
to their projections to get us below pre-
home office expenses tax deduction and
pandemic
increase the temporary flat rate to $500 a
possible to enable us to eventually create a
https://www.budget.gc.ca/efu-
year.
viable pathway towards balanced budgets.
meb/2021/report-rapport/EFU-MEB-
$62 million next year to establish a new
Without a clear path to sustainable public
2021-EN.pdf
Canada
finances,
Canadian
Performing
Resilience
Fund
to
Arts
support
Workers artists
who
deficit-to-GDP
businesses
looming
tax
as
face
increases,
quickly
the
risk
especially
as
of
given
Important Links Economic
and
Fiscal
Chamber
Update
of
Commerce’s
long-term issues that will place demands
Update:
$101 million to extend the Highly Affected
on
https://chamber.ca/news/still-
Sectors
transition.
Credit
Availability
Program
to
March 31, 2022. $85
million
next
processing
of
year
to
speed
permanent
up
resident
the and
finances
such
Additionally,
spending
needs
that
deliver
will
to
be
the
as
the
any
energy
government
targeted greatest
in
areas
economic
impact for every dollar spent.
2021:
Reaction to the Economic and Fiscal
make a living through live performances.
public
a
waiting-for-governments-economicgrowth-plan-canadian-chamber-ofcommerce/ Joint Statement of the Government of
temporary resident applications.
Canada and the Bank of Canada on
$5 billion to help British Columbia rebuild
Within today’s fiscal update, the Canadian
the
after the devastating flooding.
Chamber is concerned about the following
Framework:
elements:
https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2021/1
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Perspective The
Canadian
Chamber
of
the
Monetary
Policy
2/joint-statement-of-the-government-
Commerce’s
The lack of a clear fiscal anchor and a
of-canada-and-the-bank-of-canada-
President and CEO, Perrin Beatty, issued the
plan to bring Canada’s finances back
on-the-renewal-of-the-monetary-
following
into balance.
policy-framework/
statement
in
of
renewal
response
to
the
Fall
Economic Statement.
The
continued
plan
to
unilaterally
implement a Digital Services Tax that “Today’s right
Fall
time
Economic
for
the
Statement
government
to
was lay
the
out
risks
a
provoking
retaliatory
measures
from the United States.
blueprint for how we transition our economy
The scarcity of ambitious measures to
from
address supply chain challenges facing
recovery
into
strong
and
sustainable
economic growth that will attract investment.
businesses across the economy.
Unfortunately, the government has decided to
The absence of initiatives to come to
wait until Budget 2022.
grips
with
facing
cyber
businesses
security and
Although the Canadian economy as a whole
infrastructure deficit.
may
The
now
be
employment
above
levels,
its
pre-pandemic
significant
challenges
one-third
of
businesses
of
of
a
Canada’s
long tax
Director of Policy Manitoba Chamber of Commerce (204) 890-4084 esaftiuk@mbchamber.mb.ca mbchamber.mb.ca
reporting
labour shortages; over forty percent reporting rising input costs as a challenge; and now the threat of a new COVID variant.
absence
review
the
system.
remain: more than a million job vacancies in economy;
continued
overdue
challenges
address
Elisabeth Saftiuk
Despite constrained public finances, there are
targeted
government
policy can
measures
implement
that that
the will
support economic growth without program spending. These measures include
CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | JANUARY 2022
07
Chamber at a Glance is published twelve times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347 info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barry Cooper | President Heritage Co-op
MEMBER BENEFIT: CHAMBER GROUP INSURANCE PLAN Interested in learning more?
Contact Tieg Forbes of Avanta Financial Services Inc. 1-855-630-7528 or 204-727-4040 brandon@avantafinancialservices.com
Tanya LaBuick | Vice-President CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co. Jaime Pugh | Secretary-Treasurer MNP LLP. Spencer Day | Past President Progressive Westman Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd. Andrea Epp Epp Law Office Chris Finley Mazergroup Tilda Fortier Greenstone Building Products Aida Harrison Aida's Catering Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery Meredyth Leech Leech Group Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd. Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd. CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations Hillary Miller Events & Program Coordinator Britney McNamee Office Coordinator
Who We Are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.
Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.