ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Advocacy in Action with MP Patrick Weiler
June 12, 2020
This week the Whistler Chamber held a virtual roundtable discussion with a small group of Members, and we were joined by Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country. The intention of this meeting was to provide our MP with a full understanding of what’s happening for Whistler businesses, in specific industries. This also provided a platform to help inform what the federal government can do to improve the programs already available, and log any additional support needed to sustain and improve the outlook for our business community.
Sectors represented at the meeting were: Construction & Trades, Restaurants, Retail, Not-For-Profit, Accommodation, Transportation and Solopreneurs.
Attendees’ main causes of concern:
- Uncertainty for team and self, not knowing what is going to happen.
- Planning for the businesses future with the uncertainty.
- When will the borders open – need international tourism.
- New business not being eligible for programs.
- Outcome for staff, wages, financial security.
- Transportation post pandemic.
- Survival, deficit budget, social welfare of staff.
- Managing employees, lay-offs, bringing staff back.
- Bridging the gap – temporary relief from CEWS and CEBA. When this ends, where will we be?
- International vs. domestic tourism.
“This group represented a really good sample of what other Canadian resort and tourism communities are experiencing all across Canada.” Melissa Pace, CEO, Whistler Chamber of Commerce
Our MP began with an update for the group, covering topics such as clarifying CERB outlines to make rehiring easier, extending the wage subsidy, rent relief solutions and work permits. Another important topic was the Business Resilience Service, which offers free advice for small businesses from accountants and specialists.
MP Patrick Weiler’s key takeaways:
- Extension of CEWS beyond August 31
- Revisit a qualification for CERB to get more people back to work
- Revisit how CECRA can be accessed by businesses whose landlords do not qualify or who won’t apply
- Risk Insurance for businesses in particular in the tourism industry around Reimbursements for C-19 re opening costs
- Communication around safe inter provincial tourism
- Programs with a Longer term vision to allow businesses the ability for longer term planning
- Labour issues – with Canadian first, the need for access to TFW and Immigration is still necessary and needs to continue
This meeting will occur again in 4 weeks with the same group, as we work to progress these issues further.
BC Delegation to Ottawa
Val Litwin, CEO of the Whistler Chamber joined the BC Delegation to Ottawa on February 3 and 4, 2016, on invitation by the Honourable Shirley Bond, Provincial Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.
2015 Whistler Labour Survey
The 2015 Whistler Business Labour Survey was an action item coming out of the Chamber-hosted “Finding Solutions to Whistler’s Labour Issues” meeting on August 18th where nearly 100 local businesses attended
Garibaldi at Squamish
As a business organization, the WCC supports well-considered growth and intelligent investment that drives long term economic health in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Yet the proposal put forward by Garibaldi At Squamish, Inc. in its current form does not appear to support either.
BC Family Day
Moving Family Day to the 3rd Monday would cause unnecessary compression in BC destination mountain resorts which could have a negative impact on the guest experience. Avoiding a holiday overlap, however, provides British Columbians – and out-of-province guests – with better quality Family Day and vacation experiences respectively.
IOC inclusion of LGBT community
As a business community, we encourage the IOC to recall its Olympic Charter when it says it will cooperate with competent organizations and authorities in the endeavor to place sport at the service of humanity, as Russia’s anti-gay stance threatens to overshadow the games.