The continuing road to recovery….

 

Finally… We now have the ability to gather with our friends and family. It is certainly the best news that we have had for over a year! Also businesses can finally reopen without the fear of being closed in a moments notice. British Columbia safely moved into Step 3 of its four-step restart plan on July 1, 2021.

Moving to Step 3 signals the end to the longest provincial state of emergency in BC’s history. BC’s public health emergency will remain in effect during Step 3 to support amended public health orders from the provincial health officer (PHO), with reduced requirements. For more information and to have your questions answered go to BC’s Restart Plan. This plan also includes the new communicable disease plans, with guidelines for these plans released by WorkSafe BC on June 28. These guidelines were developed in consultation with public health and businesses will continue to be supported by WorkSafe BC and the PHO as businesses transition through the restart plan.

And now just when we though everything was OK… We are being challenged again with heat and wildfires! We will get through too, with the realization that we need to understand our climate challenges and how we need to pay attention to our world.

It has been so great to see our businesses reopen and to see visitors enjoying all of the wonderful things that we have in the Shuswap! But we must remember to respect the challenges that our businesses are still having as they reopen. They can’t get enough staff, supplies are still slow to arrive, there are still guidelines to be maintained, and they are concerned about how the smoke and wildfires will affect their business.

Also, the challenges for our female owned businesses are greater than ever before. Women-owned enterprises are statistically more likely to operate within the sectors that were most adversely affected by the pandemic and emergency situations. More than 50% of female entrepreneurs work in the wholesale/retail trade, for example, which suffered greatly decreased demand due to shutdowns.

So be patient, continue to shop local and support our small businesses, and continually tell our businesses that they are doing a great job. Our small businesses are the life line of our communities and we need them to continue to succeed.

Stay safe everyone! We will get through this together!

Are you prepared? Probably the answer is no and that is OK – it is hard to prepare for the unknown. We also know that this is just another to do on the list that you are working on as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Here are a few tips for your business so that you are in the case that you or your business has to deal with an emergency. These tips can be helpful in any kind of emergency situation.
Preparing you and your business for an emergency: 
1.   Awareness
  • Emergency Management BC –  Emergency Management BC (EMBC) is the province’s lead coordinating agency for all emergency management activities, including response, planning, training, testing and exercising. This work is done in collaboration with local governments, First Nations, federal departments, industry, non-government organizations and volunteers.
  • Emergency Info BC – Emergency Info BC is active during partial and full-scale provincial emergencies, both on this site and on Twitter via @EmergencyInfoBC. We share official response and recovery sources, as well as verified event information from trusted partners.
  • Prepared BC – Prepared BC can assist you to be prepared in the case of a disaster. Disasters happen, and can potentially leave your household on its own for several days. Sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Prepared BC can help you understand and prepare for the hazards in your area.
  • The Shuswap Emergency Program  can provide you with local emergency news.
  • In the case of wildfires – The BC Wildfire App is available for download now for Apple (iOS) and Android (Google Play) devices. This will keep you up to date on the latest wildfires, evacuation alerts and orders and other information.
2.    Create a Plan
  • If you have a small business, download the Prepared BC – Guide for small businesses to ensure you and your employees have a plan in place for any interruptions that could happen because of an emergency.
  • Tourism businesses operating in high risk areas or hosting guests can download the Prepared BC – Guide for Tourism operators to create a plan for staff and guest safety.
3.  Insurance & Financial Documents & Coverage 
  • Speak to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance plan adequately covers any risk and that your account is up to date.
  • You may want to consider adding new options, such as business interruption coverage, in case your business operations are affected by wildfire management.
  • Ensure you have up to date copies of financial statements, deeds, contracts, and insurance documents in a safe place – investing in a secure cloud storage system is a great solution to ensure they are accessible from anywhere in case of an emergency.
  • An up-to-date inventory of business assets with valuations/serial numbers is essential to ensure any damages can be easily identified and submitted with insurance claims.
  • Take photos of all of your assets in your business, if you can. It will assist with your insurance claims after an emergency.
4.  Communication Plan
  • Develop messaging for social media and your website that can be quickly updated if there is a disruption in your business.
  • Ensure that there is messaging prepared to contact clients, a plan in place for notifying the public cancelling any meetings/appointments.
  • Your messaging should also include that you will provide an update once the emergency has ended and you can return to your business.
BSAFE is a new online health and safety training program designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge in BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone safe as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic.
BSAFE is open to all businesses, but the program was specifically designed for the tourism and hospitality industry.
It is critical to rebuild confidence in the health and safety protocols of the tourism and hospitality industry. COVID-19 specific content designed to empower employers and employees with superior foundation knowledge of COVID-19 safety and protocols. This program is intended to instill confidence in our visitors that businesses are doing everything to ensure their ongoing safety when they visit.
BSAFE stands for BC Safety Assured For Everyone.
Their tagline, “Your Trust, Our Priority”, is their pledge and our promise.
REGISTER BELOW!
EMPLOYERS REGISTER HERE >
WORKERS REGISTER HERE >
For more information on the BC Step 3 restart plan go here.
Tsuts’weye Events
Although we won’t be delivering any workshop from July through to September, we will be hosting some small networking events later in the summer and into the Fall. We will be sending more information on these events to you in August.
And…some of our partners are still providing online workshops. Take a look at the Tsuts’weye event calendar for online workshops this summer provided by organizations such as Small Business BC and the Women’s Enterprise Centre.
Watch for our August newsletter as it will provide you with a list of workshops that will begin in September. We will have a variety of online and in person workshops for you to attend.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at [email protected].
EVENT CALENDAR >
Tsuts’weye Lunchtime Connections
The Lunchtime Connections will take a pause for the summer but we will be back in the Fall!! We thank all of our speakers and participants for some wonderful, engaging discussions that have kept us connected over the past year!
We will provide more information on our Fall program in our August newsletter.
Do you have an idea for a speaker or a topic for the Fall?
Contact Carmen Massey at [email protected] to share your suggestions!
Business Education
Small Business BC provides practical business education tailored for small businesses right here in BC. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC is here to help.
Small Business BC has Live Webinars and On-Demand E-Learning to fit your schedule.
MORE INFORMATION HERE >

Funding and Grant Opportunities
Economic supports for businesses

Access economic recovery and financial benefits for your business, industry, organization or community groups from the federal and provincial governments. This list is updated on an ongoing basis.

Last updated: July 5, 2021

MORE INFORMATION HERE >
UPDATED Programs as of July 5, 2021.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) & Lockdown Support
The CERS and Lockdown Support programs have been extended until September 25, 2021. Provides a rent subsidy directly to qualifying organizations that have experienced a decline in revenue until June 2021. A rent subsidy of eligible expenses is available from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021, with the maximum subsidy rates gradually decreasing beginning July 4, 2021. Organizations temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order, or have activities significantly restricted for a week or longer due to a related public health order, may be eligible for the Lockdown Support, which provides a top-up rent subsidy in addition to the subsidy provided through CERS. More information here.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) –
The CEWS program has been extended until September 25, 2021. Until September 25, 2021, a base subsidy of employee wages is available to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenue, with the subsidy amount varying depending on the scale of revenue decline. The maximum subsidy rates gradually decrease beginning July 4, 2021. More information here.
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) –
Applications for the CRHP open on July 7, 2021. This program provides up to a 50% subsidy of wages of active employees (increased wages, hours worked and the hiring of new staff) to encourage hard-hit businesses to hire new workers as the economy reopens. The program is available from June 6, 2021 to November 20, 2021 and overlaps support with the existing CEWS program. Employers may check their eligibility and calculate their CRHP and CEWS amounts online. More information here.
For more information on all of the business services provided by the Government of Canada – go here.
BUSINESS RESOURCES
WOMENS ENTERPRISE CENTRE
Business Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs
Gain essential business skills to succeed!
We know what it’s like to start and grow a business, which is why we’ve developed training that delivers results. After all, knowledge is the best investment you can make in your business!
Our business skills training features:
  • Practical, applicable skills that are 100% relevant to the successful operation of a small business
  • range of workshop topics known to be pivotal to small business success
  • Materials developed by industry experts, often featuring real-life storytellers, informative panelists or inspirational spotlights
  • Different learning approaches including live workshops, webinars, teleconferences and self-directed study
SMALL BUSINESS BC
Small Business BC also provides practical business seminars and online education to develop your business skills and strategy to run a successful business. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC has a business education seminar for you.
For more information on June workshops and to register go here!
Business Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in BC
Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to start or grow a business in British Columbia? Small Business BC strives to provide support for everyone wanting to start their own business. Here is a list of resources in different areas dedicated to female entrepreneurship.
More information here!
Business Resources for Black Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Black Entrepreneurs still face unique challenges in starting and growing their own businesses. This page in partnership with the Black Business Association of BC provides aspiring, emerging and established Black entrepreneurs the resources they need to start and thrive in our province.
More information here!
Business Resources for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
This page provides aspiring, emerging and established Indigenous entrepreneurs with the resources you need to thrive in the small business world.
Already a small business owner? Join our BC Marketplace for free province-wide promotion, increased web traffic and marketing opportunities.
More information here!
GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is one of Canada’s busiest and most sought-after events platforms, with more than 100 events annually. Build connections at our free networking receptions or learn from business and thought leaders at our speaker events. Our reputation attracts top-notch speakers and leading authorities — from Prime Ministers and Presidents, to industry magnates and global influencers.
For more information on their workshops go here.
TOTA – BC TOURISM RESILIENCY PROGRAM
The Tourism Resiliency Program (TRP), launched in 2020, continues into 2021
and if you have been part of the program we hope that you will continue to watch for new webinars, take advantage of the training opportunities, and the one-on-one meetings with TOTA’s advisors. If you have not worked with our TRP advisors in the past year and feel you could benefit from speaking with one of them please connect with them by emailing [email protected].
For a list of webinars provided by TOTA go here.

Business Resources for All Women Entrepreneurs

Access other Business Resources on the Tsuts’weye website. and is located the top right hand corner of the website.
Let us know if these resources are helpful and if there is anything else that you would like to see listed in the Business Resource section of the website. Email us at [email protected].

Tsuts’weye Entrepreneur In Residence Services

To access these services, complete the Client Intake form on our website and you will be contacted by one of our Entrepreneurs In Residence.
For more information about the EIR program go to the Tsuts’weye website.

Three Ways to Connect through Tsuts’weye!

Join the Tsuts’weye Network Business Directory and share your business. To get your business profile on this page, simply fill out our Business Profile Form and email it to us! Check out the current listings on the Tsuts’weye website.
Join the Tsuts’weye Network Facebook Group. Keep up to date on workshops, podcasts, events, resources, and much more!
Attend a workshop, course, or the new Lunchtime Connections sessions. More information on the Tsuts’weye event calendar.

Welcome to Tsuts’weye!

(Pronounced “Soots-way-e”, means butterfly, in Secwepemc)
Tsuts’weye is a federally-funded project through Western Economic Development Canada, to support women entrepreneurs in the Shuswap through building skills, knowledge and networks.
We embrace an inclusive community of female entrepreneurs who recognize we are all enriched by our diversity. We are committed to fostering an environment that advocates for respect, acceptance of others, and inclusion. All women are welcome here.

MEET OUR TEAM:

  • Carmen Massey – Project Manager
  • Corryn Grayston – Entrepreneur in Residence
  • Andrew Klingel – Entrepreneur In Residence
  • Kari Wilkinson – Toliver Design – Website and Marketing
  • Brandi Butts – Granting Wishes – Social Media Strategist
  • Robyn Cyr – Brabyn Business Solutions – Communications
Please visit Tsutsweye.ca to learn more about the project and the team.
CONTACT US:
Online at  Tsutsweye.ca 
Please call ahead to make an appointment.
For future contributions to this newsletter or for more information on the Tsuts’weye project, contact us at [email protected].