COVID-19 Updates and Resources

The affect of COVID-19 continues to evolve. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to follow the directives of our health authorities on social and physical distancing measures so that we can flatten the curve. Stay calm, don’t hoard supplies, don’t back-log the health care system unnecessarily AND STAY HOME if at all possible! Another critical reminder is that many local businesses are having to make difficult decisions for their businesses and employees. They need government and community support to get through this difficult time. We will get through it by supporting one another. 

The Chamber has created this page with useful links, tools and surveys for businesses. 

Government Programs

Information on the 2022 government budgets:

BC provincial budget:

Federal Budget:

Regional Resource Guides for Small Business Resiliency:

• Guide Main Page
  • Mainland | Southwest Region Guide

Government support programs for businesses:

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) - Replaced by THRP and HHBRP
  • Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
  • Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) or the
  • Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
• Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
• Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP)
• Funding through the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NAACA)
• Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility
• Support for entrepreneurs impacted by coronavirus (Business Development Bank of Canada)
• Export Development Canada: COVID-19
• Work-Sharing Program: Temporary special measures
• Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
• City of Surrey Facade Enhancement Grant
• Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP)
• Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP)
• Canada Community Revitalization Fund
• Jobs and Growth Fund
• Tourism Relief Fund
• Innovator Skills Initiative
• Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Other reliable links to get information on the current situation, risk to Canadians, travel advisories, etc.: 

City of Surrey

• City of Surrey Website
• COVID-19 information courtesy of Surrey Library
• Surrey's Store to Door Campaign
• City of Surrey's COVID-19 Business Resources
• Expedited Food Delivery Registration Service
• Invest Surrey - Retooling to Produce PPE
• Invest Surrey - Surrey Makes PPE (local marketplace for PPE)

City of White Rock

• City of White Rock Website
• ​COVID-19 and City Services

Surrey Schools

• Surrey Schools Website​
• Information for parents and students through Surrey Schools

Utility Companies & COVID-19

• ICBC COVID-19 Update and Support
• Shaw COVID-19 Response
• Telus COVID-19 Response
• Rogers COVID-19 Response

Chamber Network

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Canadian Business Resilience Resources

Local news through Peace Arch News

Provincial news: BC GlobalNews

National news: CBC News and CTV News

NOTE: The Government of BC no longer provides daily or weekly media updates about COVID-19. Access to COVID-19 weekly data can be accessed via the BCCDC by clicking here.

For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and the Government of BC's response, click here.

Health Resources

BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool: Click here

Local Elected Officials

For information on how to get in touch with your local elected officials, check out our Political Representatives page here.
 

Webinars & Virtual Events

For a list of upcoming town halls, Chamber Chats and webinars from the Chamber, our members and partners, visit the Chamber's Event Calendar.

In case you missed one of our virtual events, they are recorded for your convenience. If you follow this link you will also find useful recorded webinars, online events, and virtual interviews.

Click here to see more

Chambers Plan

As a member of the Chamber, you are eligible to join the Chambers Plan, Canada's leading group benefit plan for firms with 1-50 employees. If your business is currently enrolled, you have access to Teladoc® telemedicine service, allowing employees to consult with a physician by phone* or video conference, within an hour, from anywhere in Canada or the United States. Should you or your employees have additional questions in relation to your benefits, submitting a claim, please contact the Customer Service Centre at 1-800-665-3365. 

For businesses who receive insurance via the Chambers Plan, the team behind the plan is offering the following credits, retroactive to April 1st, to your May billing.

• Dental: 50% premium reduction adjustment
• Extended Health: 10% premium reduction adjustment

• Teladoc: click here
• General inquiries or to enrol in the ChambersPlan: click here

Certificates of Origin (COOs)

Certificates of Origin are shipping documents detailing information on the type of goods being exported, their destination, and most important, their country or countries of origin. Validation is a key service provided by the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce with a preferred rate given to SSWR Chamber members. All Certificate of Origin clients must provide a notarized letter of waiver to be kept on file for 2 years.

In partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the SSWR Chamber is pleased to offer the services of TradeCert Canada – a simple, secure and timesaving solution to COOs. Through the TradeCert program, the SSWR Chamber is able to process COOs entirely online (with the exception of accepting letters of waiver). Once you have been set up in our system, you can submit COO applications and print out approved COOs all from the comfort of your desk.

For more information on pricing, accepted documents, and other details on how to get started, visit our COO page here.

Business Resources and Tools

Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses:

• Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Tip Sheet for Securing your Business in relation to COVID-19 Closures.
• Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers for Virus Hoaxes, Fraud Prevention & Tips
• Surrey RCMP Business Poster Campaign: deter potential thieves and reinforce proper security measures against theft.
• Chamber Chat on Business Safety recording featuring Surrey RCMP, White Rock RCMP, and Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers

Resources, Toolkits & Guide​

• Employer Strategies for Managing Coronavirus Risks in the Workplace

• Keeping You and Your Employees Safe

• COVID-19 Resources

• Payroll and COVID-19

• Business Resource Hub 

• Pandemic Planning for Employers

• COVID-19 Live Updates

• Employment lawyer Daniel Lublin answers frequently asked questions from workers

• COVID-19 Resource Hub

• COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit

• Coronavirus FAQ

• COVID-19 Resource Portal

• COVID-19: Business and Employees

Government Resources for Canadians

• COVID-19 Outbreak Update
• Symptoms and Treatment
• Prevention and Risk
• Canada's Response
• Travel Advice