Check out the next line up of business skills training programs schedule for September 2022. Applications are being accepted now, so don’t wait until you busy with summer plans. Appy today! 

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April Newsletter 2022

May Newsletter 2022

June Newslettter 2022

Here they are! The next session of business skills training through the Workplace Education Programs! 

**Professional development at NO COST to your business!**
**Just 4 hours per week for 10 weeks!**

To learn more…. 

Dead line to apply: April 4th.

EHCC Newsletter March Edition

To help prepare for the next federal budget, our Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois is meeting with the EHCC next week. We want to hear from our members about what questions we should ask and what feedback we should give him, on what the federal government priorities should be for the upcoming year, according to businesses of East Hants.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and provide your feedback or questions for Kody Blois, MP no later than Wednesday, February 23rd by noon.

What are your pre-budget questions for Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois? 
 FEEDBACK SUBMISSION  

The EHCC is hosting its 5th Annual Memorial Trivia Night Food Bank fundraiser VIRTUALLY Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, at 6:30 pm.

We’re calling on local business for donations for the silent auction that will run from January 31 to February 14.  If interested in donating, you can access the donation letter here and send an email to info@ehcc.ca with the following information:

• Business/organization name
• What the item is and a detailed discription
• Picture of the item
• Approximate value
• Address of the location for pick up of item

The Federal government just announced an expansion to two of their support programs for businesses and individuals. The Chamber has been advocating for support for businesses through this most recent round of restrictions, and we are extremely pleased that these new adjustments to their programs will help our hard-hit sectors. Read more…

Further Provincial Restrictions Announced

Today, Premiere Tim Houston and Dr. Strang announced further provincial restrictions due to the Omnicrom variantand are effective 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22 until at least January 12, 2022

The list of restrictions includes, but is not limited to:

Gathering limits

• physical distance and mask requirements remain in place
• indoor and outdoor informal gatherings are limited to 10 people from the same household or consistent social group
• there are to be no in-person events such as festivals, special events (including receptions), sports games or tournaments, or arts and culture performances
• a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to sports practices and training; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators are not allowed
• a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and virtual performances
• gathering limits of 25 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 50 people indoors and outdoors apply to social gatherings, such as faith services, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies

Businesses

• places like retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and recreation and leisure businesses and organizations can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; some examples under recreation and leisure include dance and music lessons, climbing facilities, escape rooms, indoor play places, arcades, golf, shooting ranges and dog training
• fitness and recreation facilities can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; personal training is allowed with as much physical distance as possible
• personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing but cannot offer services that require removing masks
• food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments can operate at 50 per cent capacity, they must have physical distance between tables; barriers may only be used to achieve 50 per cent capacity but not exceed it; there is a limit of 10 people per table; they must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight; takeout, drive-thru and delivery can operate later; only one performer is allowed

There is no change in the requirement for proof of full vaccination for discretionary activities. It is still required for attendees and volunteers, even in places where gathering limits and physical distance will apply.

For the full list of restrictions and for more details please visit: Further Provincewide Restrictions to Slow Omicron Variant – Government of Nova Scotia, Canada

SECTOR IMPACT SUPPORT PROGRAM 

The Province announced December 17, additional support for NS businesses impacted by the new provincewide public health restrictions. The Chamber along with other stakeholders began meeting with Government early last week, and are pleased to see the rapid response from government.

The Sector Impact Support Program will provide a one-time grant of up to $7,500 to help small business owners in industries such as restaurants offering in-person dining service; bars and other licensed drinking establishments; fitness, recreational and leisure facilities including gyms, yoga studios, indoor play areas, arcades, climbing facilities, dance programs and music lessons; boat and walking tours; private museums; rinks and arenas that are not municipally owned; and live performing arts facilities.

The Sector Impact Support Program will be funded through the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Response Council. It is expected to cost about $10 million depending on participation. The Premier stated  that if this is not enough, there will be more.

 Applications will open early January. Eligible businesses can receive the following amounts based on November 2021 gross payroll costs:

Payroll costs between $1,000 and $15,000 – grant of $2,500
Payroll costs between $15,001 and $25,000 – grant of $5,000
Payroll costs between $25,001 or more – grant of $7,500

To learn more about the Sector Impact Support Program, click here.