WESK Response to COVID-19

At WESK, we recognize that the current situation has a significant impact on small business owners. We are working to do all we can to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and support our clients during this period of uncertainty. Here’s what we’re up to:

Our offices might be closed for now, but we’re still open for business.
We have new payment solutions for our loan clients.
Our business advisors are (remotely) here for you. Reach out.
All in-person events are postponed until April 30th, 2020.

More details are below.

The well-being of our community is at the forefront of all our decisions. We wish you and your loved ones the best during this difficult time. From all of us at WESK, be well and be safe.

Solutions for WESK Loan Clients

WESK is committed to helping our clients through this difficult time and is providing reprieve for our loan clients. If you currently have a loan with us, please see below for your options. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions around your loan during this time.

Existing Loan Clients

To help free up working capital for the months of April, May and June, WESK loan clients will have the option of interest-only payments for those three months, and then reassess after that time. For those who wish to continue with your current loan payment structure, it will be withdrawn as scheduled.

Please send your request directly to Jodi MacMillan at jmacmillan@wesk.ca to make the arrangements. We need to be advised of your decision by March 27, 2020 to process the changes.

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New Loan Clients

Option 1: You may take advantage of a 6-month period between the time your loan is approved and when the funds must be disbursed. This additional flexibility will allow new loan clients the time to decide whether to continue with their original plans for their business.

Option 2: Upon the disbursement of funds, we are also offering the option to take advantage of interest-only payments for up to 6 months. For those who wish to continue with your current loan payment structure, it will be withdrawn as scheduled.

Please send your request directly to Grace Lam at glam@wesk.ca to make the arrangements. We need to be advised of your decision by March 27, 2020 to process the changes.

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Meet with an Advisor

Whether you are considering a loan or just need business advice, we encourage you to book an appointment with a business advisor to discuss further. If you have an advisor, reach out to them directly. If you don’t, follow the steps below.

For a limited period of time, you can book an appointment with one of our advisors without a WESK membership, at no cost. This is subject to volume of clients and advisor availability and therefore may entail a timeframe of 1 week to 10 days

Booking your Appointment

Submit our Advising Request
Sit tight! We will connect with you within 2 business days to arrange an appointment

Get Started

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Affected WESK Training and Events

Updates on WESK Training & Events

WESK is implementing changes to our events to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in our community. Please see below for a list of affected events. Please note the following:

The Exchange Information Sessions – postponed.
WESK Meets – cancelled until further notice.
Shaken with a Twist and Uncorked – broadcast online, details coming soon.
Training workshops, including Business Growth Luncheons and Business Plan Basics – delivered as webinars

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COVID-19 Training, Resources, and Information for Small Business Owners

An up to date and growing list of COVID-19 related information and resources for small business owners.

COVID-19 Information & Resources

Federal Information

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Canada’s Response

Government of Canada – COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Government of Canada – COVID-19 – Employment and Social Development Canada

Government of Canada – Resources for Canadian Businesses

Miller Thomson – Statutory Temporary Layoffs Across Canada (current to March 22, 2020)

CBC NEWS – How to apply for EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits

EDC – Business Credit Availability Program

March 25 – Government introduces Canada Emergency Response Benefit to help workers and businesses

March 27 – Prime Minister announces support for small businesses facing impacts of COVID‑19

Provincial Information

Government of Saskatchewan – COVID-19 Information for Businesses and Workers

Government of Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Launches Business Response Team

Government of Saskatchewan – COVID-19 Saskatchewan Declares State of Emergency

Government of Saskatchewan – COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool

Sasktel – Sasktel Waiving Data Charges During COVID-19

SaskPower – COVID-19 Response to Customers

Seiferling Law – Changes to Saskatchewan Employment Act in a Public Health Situation

Saskatchewan Chamber – Pandemic Preparedness Guide for Business

Leaderpost – COVID-19: Province releases list of all essential services

Municipal Information

City of Saskatoon – Utility Payment Extension

City of Saskatoon – Property Tax Extension

Other Information

Facebook – Small Business Grants

WHO – Getting your Workplace ready

CFIB – Small Business Resources for Dealing with COVID-19

BDC – Support for Entrepreneurs Impacted by COVID-19

WEOC – Emergency Preparedness Checklist

WEOC – COVID-19 Resources

Social School – Small Business Success Fund

MNP – COVID-19 Business Advice Centre

SREDA – COVID-19 Resources

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COVID-19 Small Business Tips - Blog Resources

COVID-19 & Mental Heath

CDC – Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

CAMH – Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Continuity – Resources for Business Leaders

CMHA – 6 Tips to Respond to Employee Anxiety about COVID-19

Workr Beeing – Tips & Tricks to Help You Cope with COVID-19

MSN – 11 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health While Self-Isolating, According to Experts

Business & Work Related

Forbes – 5 Ways to Mindfully Work in The Era of Coronavirus

Facebook – Managing through and building resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak

The Story Co. – How to Engage & Lead Your Team Remotely

BDO – How to Respond to Liquidity and Debt Challenges in the Wake of COVID-19

Steve Blank – The Virus Survival Strategy For Your Startup

Katrina German – Five Tech Tools to Make it Easier for your Staff to Work from Home

Zoom – Ideas for Creating a Sense of Culture, Community Amid Social Distancing and Work-From-Home Mandates

Zoom – New to Working from Home? Here Are Some Tips to Help You Meet Like a Pro

Zoom – Top 10 PROVEN Tips to Setup a Temporary Work From Home Office Successfully

BizChix – How to Pivot your Small Business (Podcast)

SME Wealth Builder – Protecting Your Business In A Crisis

Medium – 7 Non-obvious Coronavirus Implications for Marketing

BDC – How to Cope with the Impacts of COVID-19 on Your Business

MNP – Business Recovery: Defining Your New Normal

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COVID-19 Small Business Tips - Upcoming Webinars

March 25 – BDC: How to cope with the impacts of COVID-19 on your business

March 26 – WESK Webinar: Marketing in the Mayhem

March 31 – World Trade Center Winnipeg: Adapting Your Business Sales

April 1 – World Trade Center Winnipeg: Disruption of Ground and Air Parcels

April 2 – World Trade Center Winnipeg: Surviving Working from Home

April 15 – World Trade Center Winnipeg: Social Media: Identifying Prospects

April 29 – World Trade Center Winnipeg: Increase Your Brand Awareness With Instagram

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How Can You Support Local Small Businesses?

Looking to support your local small business owners during this tough time? Check out our list of local businesses that have adapted to new COVID-19 restrictions and are still open for business, as well as those businesses that are offering to help other small business owners.

Please call the business before ordering – Our list is updated daily and subject to change.