Glance - November 2020 by Brandon Chamber of Commerce

NOVEMBER 2020

Chamber at a

Glance

In This Issue The Voice of Business

Small Business Features Meet a Member

Mark Your Calendars 11.06.20

First Friday Coffee

11.19.20

Change Maker Speaker Event

11.26.26 Chamber Workshop

THE VOICE OF BUSINESS tax dollars are being well managed and fter serving several years on a wide A best used to strengthen our community. range of Chamber committees, I was beyond pleased to be put to task this year as Chair of the 2020/2021 Government Relations Committee.

For those who may not know, the Government Relations Committee is formed each year with the goal to advocate on behalf of the Brandon business community on issues brought to the Chamber from the membership at large. This year’s committee consists of three Chamber board members and five members representing a broad range of industry and sectors. The committee meets monthly and as needed through the year ending June 2021. A significant portion of the Government Relations committee’s work focuses on local issues. Developing policies on concerns such as red tape reduction, analyzing the Province of Manitoba, Brandon School Division and City of Brandon budgets to ensure that our

We also regularly connect with political figures at all levels of government to discuss hot topic issues impacting our business community.

"Advocacy is often the most overlooked facet of what the Chamber does. However, it is the most critical component." BARRY COOPER cont'd pg 8.

THE CANADIAN From CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Over 20 million pages of paperwork for one small tax deduction? Why Canadian employers are calling on the Government to innovate tax filing now. (OTTAWA) – October 16, 2020 – Patrick Gill, Senior Director, Tax and Financial Policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, today issued the following statement: “The pandemic has seen a meteoric increase in the number of Canadians working from home, requiring them to equip their new remote offices. Yet it’s not clear whether these Canadians can claim expenses associated with assembling and running home offices this coming tax season. According to Statistics Canada, 6.8 million Canadians worked from home at one point during the year, roughly 4.7 million more Canadians than usual. An ambiguous definition in the tax code means every Canadian working from home this year could claim their home office expenses. If this happens, tens of thousands of Canadian employers would be required to fill out a threepage form, known as a T2200, 6.8 million times. The good news is the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) identified the problem months ago. The bad news is the CRA’s working solution still means millions of pages of paperwork for filing.

A simpler approach would be to give employers the option of using one of the “other information” boxes on the T4 to supply the CRA with the information it needs. Resolving costly and timeconsuming paperwork like this could, and should, be an enticing policy win for any government. For relatively little cost and effort, a government could claim real leadership in fostering tax innovation, not to mention proactively identifying and eliminating burdensome administrative processes. The limitations of Canada’s oldfashioned methods are becoming increasingly obvious as our institutions struggle to address new and evolving challenges. As other countries fine-tune their approaches to so-called “mobilefriendly” government services, Canada is still grappling with the basics of outdated electronic and analog systems. Business leaders, economists and Canadians have been clear tax reform is a critical element in repairing the economic damage of COVID-19.

As a trade-dependent nation, Canadian job creators cannot afford to fall further behind American and European competitors because of an outdated tax structure. If there was ever a time to finally commit to modernizing our tax structure and systems, surely now is the time to get started. ”To learn more about the Canadian Chamber’s efforts to update Canada’s tax system, visit: http://ThinkGrowth.ca About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decisionmakers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation. -30-

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | NOVEMBER 2020

THE zone MEMBERSHIP

MEET A MEMBER

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon What exactly does your organization do? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon is a non-profit organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Our mission statement is to enable lifechanging mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people. What is a product or service that We screen and match adults who are your organization provides that volunteering time once per week to a child people may not know about? in need of a mentoring relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon has many different programs. There is What is your favorite part of your job? literally one that will fit any child in need Every month, as a caseworker, I check in and any volunteer who is willing to give with the family, child and mentor to follow some time. That time may be once per up on what they have been up to and help week, once or twice per month or them create and achieve their goals as a perhaps once per year. match. It is always exciting to see a match flourish and watch the youth in the match What are the most important issues show the potential that they have. When facing your organization today? they reach a goal or accomplish a task, we We are always in need of male celebrate together and at the end of the volunteers. We have many male youths match we discuss the changes that the that wait for up to 3 years for a match, youth has made or has recognized in some are never matched, because we themselves. have a higher number of youth males in our program than male volunteers. Why is Big Brothers Big Sisters a We are also feeling the same stresses as member of the Chamber? many non-profits in the financial area. All As an organization, we wanted to connect are writing grant proposals for the same with the community that we serve, but funding, and due to Covid-19, we are also to those who support us. We are firm unable to run our usual fundraisers that believers that it takes the whole keep our doors open and programs community working together to make running. We also have high caseloads Brandon and Area a wonderful place to because there are always children in work and live. We want to support our need. Without higher funding, we are local businesses and organizations. unable to increase our community involvement. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon 339 - 12th Street Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4M3 204-727-1787 brandon.bbbs@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca bigbrothersbigsister.ca/brandon CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | NOVEMBER 2020

Welcome New Members! Alliance Financial - Gill Reece 610 37th Street Brandon, MB R7B 2S3 (204) 887-5520 info@gillreece.ca gillreece.ca CoWorks Inc. 1209 Richmond Avenue - Unit C Brandon, MB R7A1M5 (204) 717-1770 hello@coworks.ca coworks.ca Epp Law Office 7A - 2010 Currie Blvd Brandon, MB R7B 4E7 (204) 717-3775 andrea@epplawoffice.ca epplawoffice.ca IntriTech Digital Marketing Brandon, MB R7B 2W6 (204) 520-1111 info@IntriTech.ca intritech.ca Prairie IT Services Ltd. 225- 21st Street Brandon, MB R7B 1N7 (204) 650-0704 info@prairieit.ca prairieit.ca Verde Fresh 640-14th Street East Brandon, MB R7A 7C2 1-888-393-3379 info@verdefresh.ca verdefresh.ca Wyatt Garden Media Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 (204) 761-7049 wyattgarden7@gmail.com

SMALL BUSINESS IS A big

deal

FROM THE MANITOBA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OUR TOP 5 RECOMMENDATIONS:

MCC Looking for Short-term Support and Longterm Focus in Provincial Throne Speech On October 7, the Pallister government will outline their focus for the province as we move forward in addressing the challenges created by COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Speech from the Throne has to follow last week’s financial projections for 2020-2021, in which Finance Minister Scott Fielding estimated that Manitoba will show a deficit in excess of $2.5 billion as a result of lower tax revenues and higher costs as a consequence of the pandemic. While it is clear these are unprecedented times and the current government will continue to face tough challenges moving forward, MCC will be looking for measures to support struggling businesses and grow the Manitoba economy. Here are our top five recommendations: Create a funding stream to provide retroactive cost relief for small-and medium sized businesses to reimburse a portion of costs related to COVID-19 compliance and prevention (e.g. Plexiglass shields at cash register, floor marking stickers, hand sanitizer and dispenser stations, protective masks, temporary or permanent alterations to workspaces and related engineering designs, etc.) Approval for a grant would not be contingent upon whether or not a business owner had received other COVID-19 funding (federal or provincial). Develop a sector-specific support program – Industries like hospitality, restaurants, tourism, and travel are facing significant hurdles in recovering and there is a need for financial incentives to address their particular challenges. Increase infrastructure spending as a vehicle to help stimulate the economy. MCC will be looking for details on projects. Invest in digital infrastructure, as the need is even more evident today than ever before. As more employees work remotely, digital storefronts take on even greater significance, and distance learning becomes commonplace, all Manitobans need access to reliable and affordable broadband from border to border. Increase focus on skills training and investments in programs such as workintegrated learning initiatives to ensure our current workforce can meet future needs. By focusing on measures to help businesses remain sustainable through these challenging times, the provincial government will help Manitoba return to a prosperous economy and the hopes of returning balanced budgets in the future. Originally published: October 5, 2020 Author: Chuck Davidson, CEO & Karen Viveiros Director of Communications & Policy mbchamber.mb.ca

SMALL BUSINESS FUNDING

CANADA UNITED SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUND UPDATE Created and launched by RBC, Canada United is a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC brought together more than 70 of Canada’s leading brands, the national Chamber of Commerce network and business associations to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local. The actions of Canadians during the campaign helped establish the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) to help small businesses offset the cost of expenses required to reopen safely or adopt digital technologies to move more of their business online. Click here to learn more. We are extremely happy to share that the Federal Government has contributed $12 million to the CUSBR. The fund has also updated the eligibility criteria and streamlined the application process. Visit: gocanadaunited.ca today!

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | NOVEMBER 2020

THE CHAMBER EVENTS line FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE 9:00am - 10:00am | November 6, 2020 These mini events are held the first Friday of every month and are an excellent networking opportunity for you and your business. ZOOM | FREE | RSVP FOR LINK

CHANGE MAKER SPEAKER SESSION

12:00pm - 1:00pm | November 19, 2020

From Brandon to Vancouver, Chris Turcotte has launched change over and over. Always ready to pivot and foster growth, learn his secrets of staying on top of the game. ZOOM | $20 | REGISTRATION REQUIRED

CHAMBER WORKSHOP 2:00pm - 3:00pm | November 26, 2020 Presenting in public can be daunting. We can forget our power to inspire, challenge, excite, impart wisdom. To story tell. You have the ability to be a stronger presenter, even if public speaking is not your forte. ZOOM | PAY WHAT YOU CAN | REGISTRATION REQUIRED *Please note that all dates, times, speakers and topics are subject to change.

THE CHAMBER IN

pictures

From top right: Chamber Staff visit Progressive Westman for a community BBQ; visiting Total Farm Supply w/ their anniversary certificate; October's First Friday Coffee w/ more than 35 members; Chamber Staff attending the 2020 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM; the 2020/2021 Chamber Board of Directors at a socially distanced photoshoot; filming the October Inspire Speaker Session with Trish Fjeldsted (The Bloom Box) with support from WCGtv, Compass Credit Union and Westman Communications Group at the Provincial Exhibition building.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | NOVEMBER 2020

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 Spencer Day | President Progressive Westman Barry Cooper | Vice-President Heritage Co-op Taunya LaBuick | Secretary/Treasurer LaBuick & Co. Cathy Snelgrove | Past President Siere Mark Bailey R&M Homes Ltd. Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd. Andrea Epp Epp Law Office Chris Finley Mazergroup Ryan Jacobson Forbidden Flavours Roastery, Affordable Storage Brandon Meredyth Leech Leech Printing Ltd.

cont'd from pg. 1

This year the committee jumped right into action throughout late August and early September as there were many activities to prepare for. First up, the committee was put to task to develop questions for the September 17th Leaders and Legends Session with Mayor Rick Chrest. The Q&A portion revealed a broad range of information thanks to the variety of questions developed by the committee. The event was well received by those who attended. Next on the workplan is the preparing for the Brandon School Board By-Election candidate interviews. By the time you are reading this, you will have seen the video project developed with the aid of Chamber staff, and sent out to the membership and beyond through the Chambers regular enewsletter blasts, the Chamber website (brandonchamber.ca) and via social media. Soon, The Brandon School Division will be presenting their Continuous Improvement initiative and we will be looking at how it aligns with 2019’s Workforce Alignment Committee Skills and Opportunities proposals. While this year has been a challenge to our traditional concept of meetings, video conferencing has allowed us access to many people we otherwise could not reach. As such, we will work to bring impactful and insightful presentations to our membership throughout the year. Advocacy is often the most overlooked facet of what the Chamber does. However, it is the most critical component. Supporting our business community is more important now than ever. Supporting local is more than a campaign or a poster, it is the work that groups such as our committee does that truly puts that motto into motion. Because the work we do not only impacts our members at large, but the entire Brandon community. Stay tuned for more updates, workshops, summits and roundtables as this year goes on.

Lois MacDonald Alternative Landscaping Ltd. Scott Norosky South End Lumber (1978) Ltd. Jaime Pugh MNP LLP. Aida Tahhan Aida's Catering

Barry Cooper Vice-President, The Brandon Chamber of Commerce Chair of The Government Relations Committee Heritage Co-op

CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager Erin Houck Events & Program Coordinator Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations Samantha Chapman Office Coordinator

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | NOVEMBER 2020