COVID-19: Nova Scotia tender notices – procurement portal

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Are you a business that can supply products and services in support of Nova Scotia’s response to COVID-19? If so, we want to hear from you.

A procurement portal has been developed and includes a list of products and services we’re looking for. For more information and to access this portal, click here.

COVID-19: CFIB national survey results from ‘Your Business and COVID-19’

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The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)released its fourth update on its national online survey.  Launched on April 3, the survey now has 10,550 responses. 

  • The average cost of COVID-19 on small business so far is $214,915.
  • Results indicated that 65% of small businesses nationally pay rent. At 19%, Nova Scotia had more businesses with signed agreements with their landlord than in any other province. 
  • The provincial Rent Deferral Guarantee program received significant participation. As of the April 5 deadline, 379 landlords have registered, representing 1157 tenants. In total, $10,715,698 in rent has been deferred. 
  • Respondents to the CFIB survey were also asked how their provincial government was doing in providing support — Nova Scotia rated as tied for second in providing support for small business.  

Click here to access the latest CFIB survey results from “Your Business and COVID-19”.

CANS Office Closure – CANS Staff working remotely week of April 19, 2020

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CANS staff will continue to work remotely the week of April 19, 2020, based on the advice of public health officials. All digital services remain active. Please understand there may be delays in certain CANS services but we are actively working on to keep any issues minimal. 

For more CANS updates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: https://www.cans.ns.ca/cans-covid-19-information-centre/

COVID-19: The impact of COVID-19 on the Canadian Labour Market

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In March 2020, measures to contain the COVID-19 virus caused sudden, unprecedented interruptions in business across Canada. Within a couple of weeks of the outbreak in Canada, more than 3 million Canadians were affected by either job loss or reduced hours.

Learn more about the virus’s impact on the labour market from Statistics Canada.

COVID-19: Province updates requirements for COVID-19 testing

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As of April 8, 2020, travel has been removed as a requirement for testing for COVID-19. The list of symptoms being screened for has also expanded. If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit https://811.novascotia.ca/ to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:

  • fever
  • new or worsening cough
  • sore throat 
  • runny nose 
  • headache

COVID-19: Nova Scotia Securities Commission launches COVID-19 Investing Information webpage

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The Nova Scotia Securities Commission has launched a new webpage and online video to provide COVID-19 investing information to the public. Read the full release from the Province detailing this new resource.

Visit Nova Scotia Securities Commission’s page for COVID-19 Investing Information.

COVID-19: NS announces second COVID-19 related death

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Nova Scotia has recorded its second death related to COVID-19. On Wednesday, April 8, a woman in her 90s with underlying medical conditions died in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital as a result of complications related to COVID-19. Read the full statement released by the Government of Nova Scotia on April 9, 2020. 

A reminder, recordings of the Province’s news conferences are available shortly after they conclude on their official Youtube page.

COVID-19: GOC relaxes eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

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The federal government announced on April 8, 2020, relaxed eligibility requirements for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, as well as new measures to help students make money this summer during the coronavirus pandemic.

Key changes:

  • The threshold for CEWS has been lowered to 15 per cent.
  • If you have hired a student under the Canada Summer Jobs program for this summer, the federal government will now pay 100% of that student’s wages.
  • Businesses can use January and February benchmarks to qualify.

Read the full address from the Prime Minister here.

Action from Members Required: Industry calls for the creation of an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Relief Program

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Dear CANS Members,

On behalf of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), we are asking you to support their urgent request of the federal government to create an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Reimbursement Program. This program would be intended to alleviate some of the financial pressure the industry is experiencing throughout the ongoing pandemic. Take action now, send a letter to your MP. 

Click here to read the full letter from CCA President Mary Van Buren.

Sincerely,

Duncan Williams
President & CEO
Construction Association of Nova Scotia

NSAA opens applications for NS representatives on the Atlantic Trade Advisory

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The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency Board is inviting applications for one employer and one employee member to represent Nova Scotia on an Atlantic Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic trade. 

Click here for more information about this position. The application deadline is April 22, 2020.

Click here to download the Expression of Interest (EOI) form.