MEIA Info Bulletin – April 2020

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MEIA News and Announcements

MEIA Member and Industry Survey April 2020

MEIA is looking to understand what are short-term and long-term deliverables the association can champion for its members, and any improvements to be made, especially in light of the current circumstances related to COVID-19 fallout.  The survey will provide a snapshot of our industry sector and how it is coping with the pandemic crisis which can also provide MEIA with information to convey and advise governments as they manage through the timeline of the crisis.

*Note: Only summaries of any data collected in this survey will be shared; no information on individual companies will be stored or made available. The summaries may be shared with MEIA members, industry associations, and MEIA’s government funding partners.

Click here to take the survey


Upcoming MEIA Training & Events

MEIA Annual General Meeting

April 28, 2020
Online
Click here to register
Click here to view Agenda / Slate


Due to the uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MEIA April 28, 2020 AGM will be conducted electronically. On March 29, 2020 a notice and current slate of candidates for President and the Board of Directors was issued. The nomination process will commence by email 7 days prior to the AGM by April 21, 2020. Nominations will close by 9:00 am April 27, 24 hours in advance of voting opening. Should an election process be required, voting will be processed through Survey Monkey between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm April 28th, 2020. You must be registered prior to participating in the AGM.

If you would like to purchase a membership, or have not yet renewed your 2020 membership, please contact us to purchase or renew so that you can participate in the nomination process and election of the President and the Directors for the MEIA Board.

You will also note from the AGM Agenda, the association has taken the opportunity through this process to survey its members, allowing feedback so that MEIA can continually improve its deliverables to its members and industry.

Given the nature of this electronic event, normal registration fees are waived for this year. To participate in the nomination process, and to register for voting, you must be an MEIA member.

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness & Engagement Workshop

In Collaboration with Okimaw Community & HR Solutions
Part 1: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 
Part 2: Postponed 

Registration for this course is now closed. 

Understanding the history and culture of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples’ is critical to moving forward as a business and as a nation. This understanding is especially pertinent in natural resource extraction, mining, and forestry, but Aboriginal relations have far reaching financial and social impacts in any industry. Whether your focus is in recruitment, business development, or training, this workshop will help you and your team build informed, effective, and respectful relationships with Metis, First Nations Peoples and communities.

Subjects Covered in the Course:

  • Understanding how history impacts Aboriginal Peoples
  • Understanding how current Aboriginal Issues impact First Nations and Metis communities
  • Understanding the constitutional, political and legal context of Aboriginal issues
  • UNDRIP what is it? What does duty to consult mean?
  • How Aboriginal and western world views impact decision-making
  • Elder protocols (including a live session with a local Elder)

MEIA Charity Golf Tournament 

Postponed due to COVID-19. 
Breezy Bend Country Club, 7620 Roblin Blvd, Headingley, MB
Register individually for $195 or register a team of four for $760!
Registration: 10:30am | Lunch: 11:15am | Tee off at 12:30pm

Join us for MEIA’s charity golf tournament in support of The Dream Factory, a Manitoba-based charitable organization dedicated to fulfilling dreams for kids who are battling life-threatening illnesses. This event is open to everyone, no mater what your golfing abilities!

We begin with lunch, followed by 18 holes of golf (Texas Scramble) with a power cart, dinner, and prize presentation.

Besides registering your team, you can support the Dream Factory by sponsoring the tournament! You can support the Dream Factory in many ways including:

  • Contributing a basket to the Silent Auction 
  • Donate items of dollars towards the Silent Auction. We’ll create the basket on your behalf
  • Donate a door prize

Click here to download the full list of sponsorship opportunities.
Contact the MEIA at (204) 783-7090 for details.


Member News and Announcements 

Contendo Online Safety Awareness Courses

Contendo has an affordable suite of online Safety Awareness courses to get your staff up to speed on Safety!

Hazard Awareness Online
Hazard Awareness education isn’t based on a set of regulations or legislation. It’s based on the idea that knowledgeable, safety conscious workers are good for everyone. People confronted with a hazardous situation or immediately dangerous emergency need a certain level of hazard awareness and knowledge to make good decisions. 

Confined Space Awareness Online
This course affordable teaches students the regulatory requirements of entering Confined Spaces at work. The regulations are meant to control access to hazardous Confined Spaces & protect workers who must work in a Confined Space posing a hazard to human health.

WHMIS 2015 Online
WHMIS 2015 Online affordably teaches students about the current WHMIS Regulations & how some of the United Nations GHS standards have been adopted by Canada. It introduces the student to the revised Physical & Health Hazard Groups, Classifications & Pictograms.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods
TDG Online affordably teaches students about the regulatory requirements of transporting dangerous goods over land in Canada. It explains things like the roles & responsibilities of shippers, transporters & receivers; Container & Packing regulations & restrictions; Label & Placard rules & regulations; and Documentation requirements.

Fall Awareness Online
Contendo’s Fall Awareness Onlineaffordably teaches students about the hazards & regulatory requirements of working at heights. The Regulations are meant to protect workers by controlling access to the elevated Work Area & preventing workers from falling.

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce: Survey and Resources

SURVEY RESPONSE PERIOD CLOSES APRIL 17
Collecting business data is now more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt economies around the world. The purpose of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions is to measure the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada. These data will be critical for making informed decisions in the weeks and months ahead. If you are a business owner, you have until April 17 to make your voice heard.

Take the survey here:https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/survey/business/5318

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has a page on their website dedicated to tools and resources to help Manitoba businesses navigating the coronavirus pandemic. 

Federal Relief Measures Guide
The federal government’s funding in support of individuals and businesses amid COVID-19 is ever-evolving and complex. MCC has created this guide to capture the range of available special funds, tax deferrals, and employer programs, as well as information about who is eligible, how to apply, and where to find more information on the Government of Canada’s website. Please note that this is a guide, and as such, it is a living document which will require regular updating. We advise you to access the link each time you wish to refer to it, rather than downloading/printing off a copy.

Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for Manitoba Businesses
In the face of an unprecedented challenge, MCC has developed a new employer guide which includes hundreds of questions business leaders can ask themselves in the initial stages of pandemic plan development. We have also included a very special Frequently Asked Questions section courtesy of expert partners at Taylor McCaffrey LLP. The kit will be updated regularly as new information and tools become available.

World Trade Centre Seminars

Dates: Throughout April 2020
Venue: These seminars are available for remote participants via webinar (i.e., from a computer, tablet or smartphone). Please choose “Online” at registration. 

Fee: FREE!
For more information or to register, click here.

Key Labour & Employment Law Considerations During a Pandemic – April 22 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am
How to navigate through the disruptions of a pandemic — lay-offs, safety concerns, terminations, notice, Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), Employment Insurance (EI), force majeure clauses, frustration of contract…and what to do when things get back to “normal”.

Buying a Franchise – Tue April 21 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Import/Export: Going Global – Tue April 28 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Increase Your Brand Awareness With Instagram – Wed April 29 @ 9:30 am – 11:30 am


Other News and Events

Bioscience Association of Manitoba: Leading a Project in a Remote Environment

Apr. 29, 2020  
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Online
$200

This course combines important tips and techniques of both project management and leadership for people now forced to manage remotely. We’ll show you how to manage projects remotely, how to communicate successfully in a remote environment, and how to adjust important leadership qualities to a remote audience. This is an essential course for any project leaders and individuals in these times of remote interactions. 

For full course description and to register, click here

Province of Manitoba Pursuing Made-in-Manitoba Solutions

Call to Action for Manufacturers
If you are a Manitoban manufacturer or business that is prepared to rapidly scale up production or re-tool your manufacturing lines to develop products made in Manitoba to help in the fight against COVID-19, please complete the submission form.

Call to Action for Suppliers/Distributors
If you are a Manitoba Supplier/Distributor with inventory or established channels to products to help in the fight against COVID-19, please complete the submission form.

Donate to Shared Health
As Shared Health continues with preparations to ensure Manitoba can meet the needs of our patients and to ensure appropriate protection from COVID-19 is available to health care workers, donations of supplies are welcome and greatly appreciated. For a list of supplies that can be donated, visit sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/supply-donations.

Manitoba has announced a new service, as part of the Manitoban Protection Plan, to help businesses, not-for-profits and charities facing economic challenges due to COVID-19 to connect with support programs. In the coming days, Manitoba-based business 24-7 Intouch will launch a secure call centre to help inform and guide stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) COVID-19 Grants

NSERC is providing up to $15M in total support to stimulate collaborations between academic researchers at Canadian universities and the public and not-for-profit sectors, and industry to addres pandemic-related research and technical challenges. Support for up to $50,000 for one-year projects is being made available immediately. Please visit the NSERC website for more information on this and other funding opportunities.

Leave Nothing But Footprints: Environmental Leadership Contest

Applications open April 1st, 2020; the deadline to apply is July 1, 2020

Leave Nothing But Footprints (LNBF) is a sustainable Canadian apparel brand. Every year they hold an Earth Award contest to recognize an outstanding Canadian woman who has actively engaged in environmental leadership. This year, they are supporting the winner with a $1000 grant for a community initiative, project, social-enterprise or business that is making a positive impact on society and the environment.

Think of someone who would be the perfect fit? Nominate someone you know who would be a good candidate for this contest! Here is the link for the application and more information: https://lnbf.ca/pages/2020-lnbf-earth-award

Discrimination Based on COVID-19: Your Rights. Your Responsibilities 

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has published an important guideline on discrimination based on COVID-19. The MHRC is an independent agency of the Government of Manitoba responsible for administering The Human Rights Code. 
 
Discrimination Based on COVID-19: Your Rights. Your Responsibilities helps employers and employees understand The Code and what constitutes discrimination based on COVID-19. 
 
The guideline also recognizes the importance of balancing an individual’s right to be free from discrimination, with public health and safety, including the need to address the risks associated with COVID-19.

Manitoba Water Operators – Managing Under COVID-19

Friday, April 17, 2020
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
Online


This webinar will have information for operators regarding drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste. There will be staff from Manitoba Conservation and Climate to answer questions.

Click here to register

Local Futures: Support Local Small Businesses!

Local Futures is a Winnipeg-based crowdfunding website created specifically to support small businesses impeded by restrictions related to the novel coronavirus and staring down months of financial uncertainty.

Business owners who register a campaign on Local Futures set a capital goal they believe can help them maintain operations or prepare to reopen their doors in the future. Contributions are solicited from customers who, in exchange, are rewarded with future discounts and deals once business gets back to normal.


MEIA programming is supported by funding provided by The Government of Canada and The Manitoba government.