Staying Resilient During COVID-19

COVID-19 is presenting a public health challenge on a global scale and raising questions of how each of us can ensure that our organizations are staying resilient for both the short term and the long term. 

As this pandemic continues, we want to continue to provide you with resources, insights, and information that you can use to continue to protect your people, serve your clients, and strengthen your organization. We will continue to update them as the pandemic progresses so you have as much relevant information as possible.

Information for those who have lost income as well as for businesses, renters and homeowners, families, seniors, and students.

Official Public Health Updates

Public Health Canada – The central resource for how the Government of Canada is responding to the pandemic. It includes updates, travel advisories, preparation and prevention advice, and other related guidance.

*NEW* COVID-19 Situational Health Update – Regular updates provided by Public Health Canada on the number of cases and deaths across the country

Ottawa Public Health –  Great resources and information for everyone, with information specific to Ottawa residents related to testing and treatment.

Business Tools

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses – Provides the outlines and links to programs developed to support both individuals and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

BDC: Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 – BDC is offering short term financial support in the form of loans with fast turn-around times, working capital, and purchase order financing.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada – Important information from Employment and Social Development Canada on Employment Insurance, Labour Program and occupational health and safety and the Work-Sharing Program specifically as it relates to the COVID-19 response.

Canada’s Regional Development Agencies – If you are a tourism operator or small/medium sized business and need pressing assistance, the RDAs could assist you with access to federal funding to help you stay in business, and advice and pathfinding services to other federal programs and services.

Federal Government Fiscal Stimulus Package in Response to COVID-19 – Great timeline summary from BDO on the financial measures announced by the government to protect Canada’s economy and labour force, presented in chronological order starting with the most recent.

Frequently Asked Questions – Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers – More information from CRA on the Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers – who is eligible, how it works, and how to calculate and receive the subsidy.

ROE Guidelines for Issuing EI Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Benefits and services This provides employers with detailed instructions on how to issue ROEs during the pandemic.

 

Business Resources

CFIB: Coronavirus and Small Business – CFIB provides answers to the questions they’re receiving most often from their members along with a hotline resource to support businesses.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness for Business – The Chamber has provided specific pandemic-related Actions and Considerations to support businesses as they respond to the current situation including some tools and templates you may find useful.

McKinsey & Company: COVID-19 Implications for Business – McKinsey has released a number of documents that provide a high-level perspective of the emergence and spread of the virus, the potential impacts for business, and questions that still remain to be answered. It’s useful contextual perspective.

COVID-19 Information for Workplaces – More great information from Ottawa Public Health on how to prepare your workplace and employees to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Resources for Businesses and Employers – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to COVID-19, and recommendations for cleaning and disinfection.

*NEW* How to find out if your business qualifies for the COVID-19 wage subsidy – new information for business owners on the federal government’s proposed temporary wage subsidy that is part of the economic response plan to counter Canadians’ financial hardships due to COVID-19.

Working Remotely

Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success – Coach Mike Gutman from FlexJobs shows how to use today’s cloud-based communication and collaboration tools to get work done from anywhere by structuring your day correctly and avoiding distractions, while remaining connected to your organization.

Working from home for the first time? Here’s how to make it a success – If it’s the first time you or your team will be working from home, working remotely demands a big mental shift. Here are some tips to make your new home office productive.

Free Software that Businesses, Schools and Others Can Use During the COVID-19 Crisis – With millions suddenly finding themselves working from home, software companies are rolling out free products and services, as well as free upgrades, to help organizations cope with the consequences of the pandemic.

*NEW* Working from Home – TechSoup has offered a number of ideas and resources to help people who are working from home.

 

Useful News Articles

*NEW* Carleton prof creates plain-language guide for getting government aid – This is a great time for clear language about what’s available. This professor has put together a useful guide that may help you as you navigate the options that are available.

Financial post: Small Businesses Need to Prepare, not Panic – This article is penned by Dan Kelly who is President of the CFIB. In it he describes emerging impacts on businesses today as well as a number of pragmatic things that should be taken into account when supporting your workforce. 

Business Insider: What to know about the coronavirus outbreak in 14 charts and maps – This is a great resource for those who want the data and to see it visualized. They compare data related to rate of spread, testing, transmission compared to other diseases, and others.

Coping with coronavirus anxiety – If the non-stop coverage is getting to you, start by knowing how your body responds to anxiety. Make sure you unplug from time to time, as staying tuned in 24/7 can definitely make things worse.

How to talk with kids about the coronavirus – How to talk to your kids about the coronavirus. Don’t be afraid to do it, just be appropriate.

VIDEO – CTV News (4:59) – How to cut through the nonsense and disinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

If you need support during these challenging, uncertain times, please reach out to us. We are here to serve. We will send relevant updates via our mailing list as this situation continues to unfold. You may also wish to bookmark this page so you have ready access to this information going forward or to share with colleagues.