We're working hard to help the region on its path to fiscal recovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic has produced economic uncertainty both globally and right here at home. During these challenging times, we want to reassure the business community: we're in this together, and we're working hard to get local businesses back on their feet again.
Browse this section to find news and resources of benefit to businesses in the Lac Ste. Anne region.
COVID-19 news related to Local Businesses
Initiatives for Local Business Resiliency
Central Alberta Economic Partnership
- No current workshops
Leduc Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce
- No current workshops
The Business Link
Resiliency Recommendations for Local Businesses
- The health and safety of yourself, your staff, customers and partners are number one priority; review the section below: Resources for Businesses Affected by COVID-19
- Familiarize yourself with Human Resources policies and processes, including absenteeism, communications, sick leave, employee travel, social distancing, and workplace disinfecting; be clear and consistent with your employees; review Alberta Employment Standards
- Provide resources for those who have or will be laid off, explore the following sections: COVID-19: Financial Relief for Albertans (under Important News); COVID-19 Financial Relief Programs for Businesses, and; Resources for Businesses Affected by COVID-19
- Adhere to Cleaning and disinfection recommendations for COVID-19 (under Important News)
- Abide by physical distancing, gathering restrictions, and all provincial public health orders
- Abide by Alberta Biz Connect guidance for businesses and sectors (see below)
- Implement flexible working arrangements if possible; utilize virtual office environments like GoTo Meetings, Skype for Businesses, Google Hangouts, or Zoom
- Review your supply chain; have a Plan B in case of disruptions of service in your primary vendor(s)
- Work with customers and vendors to defer business instead of cancelling
- Explore options for online sales of products and gift cards
- Should your business need close for any reason, implement measures to reduce the risk of any criminal activity
- Keep storefront and sales area lights on
- Keep exterior lights on
- Turn off/unplug all equipment
- Store flammables and combustibles in secure location
- Keep cash register open and empty; do not leave cash on premises
- Secure other valuables if unable to take them off premises (equipment and stock)
- Secure and lock all doors and windows
- Activate security system and security surveillance equipment
Business owners and employees: you are not alone.
The Mental Health Help Line is available 24/7 to provide advice and referrals to community supports nearest you. Call 1-877-303-2642. Other resources include:
Resources for Businesses Affected by COVID-19
As businesses prepare to reopen as part of Alberta's relaunch strategy, resources are available to help keep you, your staff, and your customers safe. By working together, we can ensure our sacrifices to slow the spread of COVID-19 are not wasted. To be successful during the economic relaunch, businesses should continue acting responsibly by following public health and physical distancing measures and using good hygiene and disinfecting practices.
Learn about Alberta Biz Connect
General guidance
This guidance supports all workplaces in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Alberta Health daily checklist: June 22
- Cohort groups: June 23
- Enhanced infection prevention and control measures
- Flushing water systems
- General relaunch guidance
- Hand sanitizer, what you need to know: June 23
- Industry-initiated COVID-19 testing: June 25
- Non-medical face masks for the general public
- Occupational Health and Safety resources
- COVID-19 orders and legislation
Guidance for businesses and sectors for Stage 1 of relaunch
This guidance supports sectors that were allowed to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic or could reopen under Stage 1 of relaunch.
- Campgrounds (private and municipal): June 30
- Day camps: June 22
- Daycare and out-of-school care (child care): June 11
- Disability services providers: June 8
- Dog parks: June 18
- Farmers' markets and public markets: June 18
- Food processing facilities: June 18
- Funeral homes: June 18
- Golf course and driving range operators: June 18
- Gondolas, trams and chairlifts: June 18
- Graduation ceremonies: June 30
- Grocery stores: June 30
- Hair salons and barbershops: June 18
- Health non-essential services: June 12
- Hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals: June 30
- Hunting and fishing lodges, camps and outfitters: June 30
- Industrial work camps: June 5
- Interpretive attractions: June 18
- Malls and shopping centres: June 18
- Multi-family dwellings, condominiums and apartment buildings: June 18
- Museums and art galleries: June 9
- Outdoor events: June 30
- Outdoor fitness: June 22
- Places of worship: June 22
- Playgrounds: June 18
- Post-secondary institutions: June 22
- Preschools: June 11
- Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars: June 29
- Retail businesses: June 18
- Shelters: preventing, controlling and managing COVID-19: June 8
- Shooting (firearm) ranges: June 18
- Taxis, limos and rideshares: June 29
Guidance for businesses and sectors for Stage 2 of relaunch
This guidance supports businesses and sectors for their reopening under Stage 2 of relaunch, starting June 12.
- Animals and pets: June 22
- Bingo halls: June 25
- Casinos and racing entertainment centres: June 17
- Chartered tour buses, multi-city buses and passenger trains: June 13
- Drive-in style events: June 30
- Family day home/group family child care programs: June 11
- Food catering: June 11
- Home-based mobile and door-to-door operations: June 23
- Horse racing parks and motor raceways: June 30
- Indoor events: June 23
- Indoor recreation entertainment: June 9
- Large production facilities: June 15
- Libraries: June 9
- Live music, dance and theatre: June 25
- Movie theatres: June 9
- Office buildings: June 12
- Outdoor spray parks and wading pools: June 9
- Personal services: June 9
- Public rallies, marches and demonstrations: June 30
- Public transit (Alberta government to confirm)
- Rodeos: June 30
- School (K-12) re-entry guidance: June 10
- School (K-12) re-entry guidance, scenario 1: June 10
- School (K-12) re-entry guidance, scenario 2: June 10
- Screen-based production industry: June 12
- Seniors centres and seniors serving organizations: June 13
- Sport, physical activity and recreation (Stage 2): June 30
- Summer school re-entry: June 10
- Swimming pools and whirlpools: June 12
- Video lottery terminal retailers: June 17
- Warehouse operations: June 15
- Wellness services: June 30
Personal protective equipment
As businesses prepare to reopen, it's important to take measures to protect employees and customers:
- Practice good hygiene and thorough cleaning and disinfecting
- Use Health Canada approved hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers for use against COVID-19
- Conduct a hazard assessment to identify existing and potential hazards related to COVID-19
- Aid physical separation through barriers (Plexiglas), signage, floor markings and traffic flow controls to limit people in a space
Business owners can purchase PPE
Connect to PPE suppliers using the websites below. The government is not responsible for products or prices offered on these sites.
Alberta-based businesses that manufacture PPE
COVID-19 Financial Relief Programs for Businesses
COVID-19 Financial Support Measures for Various Sectors
- Keeping workers in food supply chain safe
- Increasing credit availability
- Helping food producers access more PPE and adapt to health protocols
- Helping producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19
- Increasing the Canadian Dairy Commission borrowing limit
- Helping redistribute existing and unsold inventories
- Increasing interim payments from 50% to 75% through AgriStability
- Expanding the AgriInsurance to include labour shortage