Local Resources
Whistler’s Doors Open Directory
Whistler’s Doors Open Directory from Tourism Whistler provides information for locals or visitors planning ahead. The directory provides up-to-date information on what is open in Whistler.
Guidelines for a Safe Restart
Whistler’s guidelines for a safe restart from the RMOW cover COVID-19 business best practices including core workplace guidelines and best practices for different sectors.
Mayor’s Video Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from the Resort Municipality of Whistler, with Mayor Jack Crompton’s regular video updates.
How to Support Whistler Business
Here are a few ways you can show support to your favourite local businesses during COVID-19.
Member to Member Offers
Local businesses share offers with one another, to make things a little easier for our community during COVID-19.
Financial Support
Find more information on financial support here: Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for businesses
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
As a Canadian employer who has seen a drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. This subsidy will enable you to re-hire workers, help prevent further job losses, and ease you back into normal operations.
More information is available on the official CEWS website, here.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Originally launched on April 9, 2020, CEBA is intended to support businesses by providing financing for their expenses that cannot be avoided or deferred as they take steps to safely navigate a period of shutdown, thereby helping to position businesses for successful relaunch when the economy reopens.
This $55 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits.
Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 25 percent (up to $10,000).
As of October 26, 2020, eligibility for CEBA has expanded by removing the previous March 1, 2020, condition for having an active business chequing/operating account. With this removal, eligible businesses can now apply after opening a business chequing/operating account with their primary financial institution. For more information about this new criteria or other criteria established since the launch of CEBA we recommend you visit the FAQs.
More information is available on the official CEBA website, here.
Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
Support for Women Entrepreneurs
On May 16, the Government of Canada announced an additional $15 million in funding to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). The money will go directly to select organizations that are currently WES Ecosystem Fund recipients to help women entrepreneurs through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employment Insurance (EI)
As of September 27, you may be eligible for EI if you:
- were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
- received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
- stopped working through no fault of your own
- have not quit your job voluntarily
- are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
- are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)
If you are eligible for EI benefits, you will receive a minimum taxable benefit at a rate of $500 per week, or $300 per week for extended parental benefits.
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund
WD’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) aims to help western Canadian businesses cope with the financial hardship resulting from COVID-19.
- Funding up to $40,000, for rural businesses
- Funding up to $40,000, for women-owned or women-led businesses
- Funding up to $40,000, for all other small- and medium-sized businesses
- Funding over $40,000
Temporary Wage Subsidy
The 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (TWS) is a 3-month measure that allows eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions they need to remit to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This only applies to the federal, provincial, or territorial income tax portion of the remittance.
The subsidy is equal to 10% of the remuneration you pay from March 18 to June 19, 2020, up to $1,375 for each eligible employee. The maximum total is $25,000 for each eligible employer.
CEWS is another subsidy available to employers
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is a separate program that provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers. If eligible, you may be able to take advantage of both the TWS and the CEWS. For more information see How the TWS and CEWS work together
More information is available from the Government of Canada, here.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
The CERB has now ended.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) ends when you’ve received 28 weeks of benefits or on October 3, 2020, whichever comes first. For those who applied through the Canada Revenue Agency, the last four-week period for the CERB was August 30, 2020 through Septemer 26, 2020. However, you can still apply for the CERB retroactively through Canada Revenue Agency.
Resources from BDO
BDO has 3 Tax alerts that provide further details on these two subsidies (subject to Royal Ascent pending at time of release) and the Canada Emergency Business Account:
- Tax Alert: Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Tax Alert: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Tax Alert: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy
BDO also have a useful summary of all federal and provincial programs (and tax deferrals) as of the date of the presentation.
HR + Health & Wellness
Employment Standards
- Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19 (Government of Canada)
- Quarantine Conflict Resolution Service (MediateBC)
- Keeping your employees safe (Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
- Work Sharing Brochure for Employers (Service Canada)
- HR advice: Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace (go2HR)
- What Employers Need to Know About Temporary Layoffs (Small Business BC)
Mental Health Resources
Safety & Expectations
Businesses must continuously revisit their COVID-19 safety plans. WorkSafe BC’s COVID-19 Safety Plan should be your master document. Safety plans should be constantly reviewed as things evolve.
The RMOW also has a guide on COVID19 Guidance and Support for Whistler Businesses, as well as the COVID-19 business best practices page.
WorkSafe BC
All employers must demonstrate that they can operate safely, and are required under the Workers Compensation Act to ensure the safety of their employees at work.
WorkSafeBC will be there to help all local businesses, non-profits and organizations, and will work with employers and workers through educational materials, consultation, and workplace inspections to help you restart safely.
Employers are required to:
- Review Health and Safety Guidelines, best practices and other resources from WorkSafeBC
- Adapt these materials into appropriate COVID-19 Safe Plans for your workplace
Sectors that have operated during the pandemic may need to update their COVID-19 Safe Plans to fit with updated Health and Safety Guidelines, best practices and resources.
For resources, visit the WorkSafeBC website or call WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line at 1-888-621-7233.
The BC Chamber with your Sea to Sky regional Chambers partnered with WorkSafeBC to provide this webinar on workplace health and safety during COVID-19.
Posters & Infographics to Share
Business Travel & Events
As of March 13, 2020, the Government of Canada advised Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
- COVID-19 travel advice (Government of Canada)
- Travel advisories (Government of Canada)
- Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings (Government of Canada)
Webinars & Virtual Events
Click on the videos below to browse the category playlist and find videos about the topics your need support with.
COVID-19 Business Support
CEO's Weekly Update for Whistler Biz
Advocacy in Action
Stay Informed
Health Updates
Stay up-to-date on the rapidly evolving situation, by frequently checking provincial, national and international websites:
Business Support
These excellent resources from Canadian organisations will keep you informed, and will help to make business easier for you:
- Continuity plan toolkit (Business Development Canada)
- BC Business COVID-19 Support Service (Small Business BC)
- Resources for Businesses Affected by COVID-19 (BC Chamber)
- Canadian Business Resilience Network (Canadian Chamber of Commerce)
COVID-19 Blog
Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant
Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness recently launched a new funding opportunity – the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant. The program opened for applications in early...
COVID-19 Whistler Business Support Sessions
VIRTUAL EVENT SUMMARY COVID-19 Whistler Business Support Sessions November 19, 2020 Yesterday, the Whistler Chamber, in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), hosted our pilot Virtual Meetup: COVID-19 Whistler Business Support...
BC Chamber Network Launches Building Resilience to Thrive Program
COVID-19 RECOVERY SUPPORT BC Chamber Network Launches Building Resilience to Thrive Program October 29, 2020 Last week, the Building Resilience to Thrive program, powered by the BC Chamber of Commerce network and UVic’s Gustavson School of Business, launched to...
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