Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra, and Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, have announced up to $5.5 million investment to encourage people to shop locally and support businesses in reopening and staying open so they can thrive as the economy recovers.
This is part of a national investment of $33 million to support Shop Local campaigns across the country announced by Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Development, on June 21.The funding will be provided through provincial and territorial chambers of commerce to support awareness-building campaigns that promote consumer confidence and local businesses.
The amount of funding allocated to each chamber is based primarily on the percentage of small businesses in its region. Chambers may use this funding to support a range of activities that encourage consumers to shop locally in a way that is safe and aligns with current public health guidelines.
Chambers may solicit applications directly from local organizations or associations or have open calls for proposals that promote consumer awareness and demonstrate benefits to the broader business community.
For example:
• shop-local branding and digital content
• seasonal campaigns intended to direct shoppers to local small merchants
• promotions of online shopping, curbside pickup and delivery, as well as public health measures being implemented to make retail spaces safe and raise consumer confidence
• marketing materials such as videos, social media visuals, and radio and newspaper ads that encourage consumers to buy from local businesses and patronize local restaurants and attractions
This investment will be flexible to respond to the unique circumstances in regions across the country and allow chambers of commerce to tailor campaigns to local needs and priorities,ultimately helping small businesses as they recover from this unprecedented public health and economic crisis.
Shop Local is an important initiative to supplement the Government of Canada’s ongoing and comprehensive support for small and local businesses—programs such as the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, Lockdown Support and the Canada Emergency Business Account—so they are able to get through this pandemic to the economic recovery and growth that will follow in the months and years to come.
“Small businesses are the pillars of our communities and our economy. They were among the hardest hit sectors, and their success is key to recovering from the COVID-19 recession. Shop Local will be a great boon for businesses and communities across our region. This investment will encourage residents to shop and eat locally and provide the capital that will help small businesses recover and thrive in the post-pandemic economy,” said Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
“British Columbia is made up of small businesses in every corner of our Province. They are the backbone of the economy and the heart of our communities and will be critical to our recovery from the COVID-19 recession. As our economy begins to safely reopen, Shop Local investments will encourage Canadians to support their local small businesses, helping them recover quicker. Supporting local small businesses creates local jobs and helps our vibrant neighbourhoods grow. As we work to get through this pandemic, we all have a role to play, and the government continues to support all small business owners and entrepreneurs across the province and the country,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government,and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra.
