“Business is Unusual: A Coronavirus Survival Guide for Manitoba Business” and Manitoba Business Matters website now live
WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce today announced the imminent delivery to more than 45,000 Manitoba SMEs of its brand-new COVID-19 recovery support resource, “Business is Unusual: A Coronavirus Survival Guide for Manitoba Business,” as well as the launch of a robust companion platform, Manitoba Business Matters to guide Manitoba organizations through pandemic recovery.
A November 2020 financial contribution from Western Economic Diversification Canada through the Regional Relief & Recovery Fund (RRRF) — combined with the legal, financial, human resource, workforce, educational, and business expertise of eight Manitoba pillar organizations — enabled the production of this content and a long-term support plan for Manitoba’s business community.
“The pandemic has created so many barriers, and the volume of information about health & safety protocols, employer responsibilities, and financial relief has been almost overwhelming,” said Chuck Davidson, President & CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Our new survival guide and website can help make sense of it all, and thanks to an investment from the RRRF, we can deliver information directly to business leaders who need it most as we move into recovery.”
On November 12, 2020, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced more than $2.8 million for a robust series of initiatives led by Manitoba’s non-profit business support network. The funding, divided among 23 organizations including MCC, was directed to support enterprises in all stages of the business lifecycle, from nurturing start-ups to the ongoing development of mature firms.
“From the outset, the Government of Canada has taken action to support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to protect their contributions to the Canadian economy,” said Duguid. “We know that traditional supports, such as industry associations and Chambers of Commerce, have been working very hard to address these challenges. WD was pleased to fund the MCCs survival guide and online resources, which will provide critical information to Manitoba businesses and assist them in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.”
“Business is Unusual: A Coronavirus Survival Guide for Manitoba Business” is a magazine-style reference guide which will be mailed this month to companies registered in Manitoba with one to 100 employees. The guide includes eligibility and application information about COVID-19 federal and provincial emergency relief funds, health and safety protocols, and expert recommendations for workplaces, and aims to boost the resiliency, productivity, and competitiveness of SMEs in a COVID-19 environment.
Expert partners that will deliver fresh, relevant content to the Manitoba Business Matters initiative as we move through recovery are:
- Johnston Group Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
- CPA Manitoba (Chartered Professional Accountants Manitoba)
- Thompson Dorfman Sweatman – TDS Law
- 1Life Workplace Safety Solutions
- CPHR Manitoba
- Vantage
- BellMTS
- Red River College
“We’re very proud to be part of this recovery-focused initiative,” said Dave Angus, President, Johnston Group. “Johnston Group’s vision is to help make work life wonderful for our customers and their employees by contributing to healthy, productive, and supportive environments. We want to ensure that Manitoba businesses have access to the resources and tools they need to continue operating according to restrictions, while keeping their employees safe and comfortable.”
“We encourage all Manitoba business leaders to refer to the guide, visit the website for more in-depth content, and to sign up for our Manitoba Business Matters e-newsletter. Protocols change often and relief funds keep evolving, so it’s very important to stay up-to-date and make use of all available resources. 2021 is going to be tough as we push through recovery and vaccination in a race against variants of concern, and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce will be here to provide accurate, credible information and access to pandemic supports for the ‘next normal’,” said Davidson.
The survival guide is available for viewing here in electronic format, and the Manitoba Business Matters website is now live at www.manitobabusinessmatters.ca.
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About Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, established in 1931, is the umbrella organization for Manitoba’s chamber movement. With a membership comprised of 68 local chambers of commerce as well as hundreds of direct corporate members, the MCC is Manitoba’s largest business lobby, representing almost 10,000 businesses and community leaders. www.jointhechamber.ca #VoiceofBusiness #PoweroftheNetwork
About Western Economic Diversification Canada
For more than 30 years, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has been working to diversify the western economy while improving the quality of life of western Canadians. We aim to be a leader in building a strong, competitive West by focusing on business development, innovation and community development. https://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/home.asp
