May 29, 2020
Notice: The BCEDA COVID19 Bulletin will now be emailed on Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays.
Resources for Businesses
Live Resources for BC Businesses Document
Recently Updated:
Business Restart Survey
Complete the Business Restart Survey Online
Complete the Business Restart Survey by calling the NEW telephone hotline, powered by FortisBC 1-888-772-4667
Thank you for taking a brief moment to complete this important survey with questions geared towards business reopening.
The survey results will not be shared in any individual manner – all data will be released in aggregate format. In other words no business or individual name will be released. The only time a business or individual name is provided will be if they want their local economic development office to contact them.
The information will be used by local municipalities as an information resource only – it can help them to better provide information and support to their business community overall, it can be used for them to develop specific programs to assist their businesses, etc. For example, if results come back regarding a significant increase in labour needs, the EDO can ensure they are putting in programs around that.
BCEDA can use the aggregate information to support any requests to provincial or federal governments and other organizations. BCEDA would use the information to develop programs or education, etc., that will be of value to BC's communities.
Process safety risks in hazardous process facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic
What is the potential risk?
The COVID-19 pandemic can have an impact on how hazardous process facilities operate and may introduce risks that employers need to consider to ensure their workers’ safety.
This risk advisory will help employers with Step 6 of the COVID-19 Safety Plan: Assess and address risks from resuming operations.
The pandemic may have caused some facilities to shut down or to start up again. Shutdown and startup periods involve many non-routine activities that workers may not have enough experience or knowledge to handle. According to the Center of Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), process safety incidents occur five times more often during startup than during normal operations.
Similarly, operations that have been curtailed or are idling may encounter unusual conditions due to slow-progressing chemical reactions, micro-organism growth, and atypical equipment corrosion/degradation, for example. These unique situations can also create new hazards.
Deferring or delaying preventive maintenance or planned turnarounds because of the pandemic can lead to unexpected equipment failures and unplanned outages. In addition, changing operating conditions, such as extended storage of hazardous chemicals or increasing/decreasing production output, can lead to process upsets including fires, explosions, or releases of hazardous substances.
Which industries may be at risk?
- Oil and gas refineries
- Oil and gas extraction sites
- Chemical manufacturing and storage facilities
- Pulp and paper mills
- Wood pellet facilities
- Power generation plants
- Breweries and distilleries
- Other facilities with hazardous processes and large quantities of flammable, reactive, or toxic chemicals
Resources for Economic Developers & Local Leaders
Slides from BCEDA Economic Response & Restart Call, May 28
Thursdays at 2:00pm PST
How Airports and Travel will be Changed and Reshaped
On yesterday's call we were joined by Dave Frank of the BC Aviation Council, Chad Munchinsky and Geoff Ritchie of the Kelowna International Airport and Serge Corbeil of Air Canada. We are pleased to share the presentation slides below.
Ottawa announces $650M in new COVID-19 funding for Indigenous communities
Jorge Barrera, CBC News · May 29, 2020
The federal government is making an additional $650 million available for Indigenous communities to deal with current COVID-19 needs and prepare for a potential second wave of the pandemic, said Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller on Friday.
The new funding will go toward the public health response to the pandemic, the on-reserve income assistance program and the construction of new women's shelters.
Miller announced the new funding during a news conference in Ottawa on Friday. He said it would enable Indigenous communities to react to the "evolving needs" caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Canada's FDI numbers are in. Here's what they mean.
Ian G. McKay, Invest in Canada · May 28, 2020
How has COVID-19 affected investment in Canada?
Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey indicates Canada has lost over three million jobs since the COVID-19 crisis began.
What has been the effect of COVID-19 on global investment in Canada? At this point, it really is too early to tell. Suffice it to say, expectations for increases in FDI are not high.
What BC Communities Are Doing
CIty of Campbell River Economic Development and VIEA partners to offer free marketing boost available for local products
Sunshine Coast Business Recovery Centre opens
Okanagan hotels preparing to re-open with new protocols
Nanaimo OKs on-street patios, sidewalk seating
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler hosts online live demonstrations
Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce's #OKwegotthis aims to make critical information available to businesses while also collecting region-wide stories of innovation and determination in the business community.
Share your community's news by emailing info@bceda.ca
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