N.S. Business Community Creates Team To Deal With Coronavirus
HALIFAX – The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with various government agencies, industry associations and other organizations to help businesses and workers across Nova Scotia through the coronavirus crisis.
The COVID-19 Business/Employee Team will support businesses, labour organizations and employees, and allow collaboration across the province during this uncertain time, the chamber said in a release.
“These are extraordinary times. COVID-19 is having very real public health impacts and we know there will be economic impacts. Small businesses have an important role in our economy and we are committed to assisting small business owners,” said Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan in a release.
“Led by the Department of Business, we will be actively working with businesses, associations and labour – including this group – to understand what our businesses require in the immediate term. Policy decisions, programs and supports will be announced over the coming days,” he said.
The group will serve as a point of contact for the government as rapid decisions and changes impact the business environment. It will help share those decisions and changes with the business community in Nova Scotia, and also advocate on behalf of Nova Scotians to ensure their questions and concerns are heard.
The group plans to add other organizations with a shared interest across Nova Scotia.
“The business community, government, and labour associations are united in their support for Nova Scotia,” said chamber president and CEO Patrick Sullivan in the release. “We want Nova Scotia business and labour communities to know that we are here for them in these difficult times.”
The team had met via teleconference to discuss the current status of COVID-19 for the business community and employees, and will do so regularly in the coming weeks.
Aside from the chamber, the team currently includes:
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- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Atlantic Convenience Stores Association
- Business Improvement Districts of Halifax
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
- Center for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE)
- Construction Association of Nova Scotia
- Cape Breton Partnership
- Discover Halifax
- Department of Business, Province of Nova Scotia
- Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Province of Nova Scotia
- Develop Nova Scotia
- Halifax Partnership
- Hotel Association of Nova Scotia
- Mayor of Halifax’s Office
- Nova Scotia Business Inc.
- Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
- Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia
- Restaurants Canada
- Retail Council of Canada
- Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
- United Way Halifax
- Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce