“Many of today's greatest challenges are global and they can only be solved when we work together. That is why Canada stands united with its German, French, and Japanese friends,” says Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland.  She continues by saying, “We face the most turbulent moment in terms of the rules-based international order since WW2.”

#MultilateralismMatters   #AllianceOfMultilateralists 

COVID-19 was a wake-up call for multilateralism. The virus doesn’t recognize borders. We need strong global cooperation and solidarity to fight COVID-19. Containing and countering this pandemic calls for a co-operative, transparent, science-based and coordinated global response. Only by building a more sustainable and resilient world through enhanced international cooperation can we overcome this threat to humanity.

Multilateralism is founded on respect for international law as the only reliable guarantee for international stability and peace and that the challenges we are facing can only be solved through cooperation. It aims to bring together willing partners who can express themselves and take action.

The initiative is organized around three goals:

• 1) compensating for the insufficient involvement of States and defending fundamental standards;

• 2) reforming and modernizing the international institutions compared with the status quo;

• 3) driving strong initiatives, particularly where governance is absent or insufficient.

Other initiatives will continue to develop that include human rights, international humanitarian law, cyberspace, future technologies, disarmament and arms control, global public goods and strengthening international institutions.

As we strive to “recover better”, the Alliance’s roadmap is the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

The YES Camp created the Care Package Podcasts to provide care, support, and humour to youth around BC in response to the crisis of COVID-19.

Our CCEC members have supported our youth to attend the YES camp for many years. At this time, the YES is uncertain if they can hold the camps, so they’ve pivoted their focus to doing what it can for struggling youth.

The podcast – appropriately titled Care Package – aims to engage youth who are experiencing an unprecedented amount of uncertainty and anxiety in a time of already huge change in their lives.

The Podcasts go out every week, usually Wednesdays. You can get notifications from your podcast apps if you subscribe, or you can subscribe to The YES mailing list on the website to get an email notification and their blog. They also post on Instagram and Facebook for each new post. Amongst the segments – interviews with staff members, call-ins from campers, and “poopses and oopses” – a time for embarrassing stories.

For Canada’s young people, the last month has brought about more change and uncertainty in their lives than possibly ever before. Kids Help Phone has recorded a 350% increase in youth seeking help over text since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – leading to Kids Help Phone asking for more volunteers to meet the demand.

“The YES and our team are concerned about what’s going on for teenagers out there right now – so we wanted to do something that would provide some care and connection out to all those teens who might just be at home with their family, or they might be in a vulnerable situation.” – Chelsea Lake, Director of the YES

At CCEC, we are accepting sponsorship applications for youth who want to attend camp. Camp registrations are open and payment is on hold until they can confirm the camps can safely run. Email Joanne if you have youth wanting to attend the camp. If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, please email or phone the branch. 

CCEC Member grunt gallery facilitates artistic creation, exhibition and community engagement. They are working to continue generating and sharing these things despite our physical separation from one another. This will be a process, developed between artists, arts workers, and our communities. Scroll down to see what the are doing now to provide Digital Community Engagement.  Visit their website. 

CCEC has various artists, art groups and musicians as members who are working to continue their programming through digital engagement. Tell us what you are doing so we can share this with our members.  Let us know what you are doing to stay connected. 

At Grunt Gallery: 

• pi’tawkewaq | our people up river By Meagan Musseau  Click here to take a video tour of the exhibition in  the gallery.
• The Mount Pleasant Community Art Screen  Public art in this time of isolation

Be safe.  Let's stay connected just in different ways. ​

Programs, details and logistics are updated daily.  Be sure to check the Federal Government website for more information. This is what we know:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit - available April 6

The CERB pays a monthly, tax-free $2,000 payment to workers who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for employment insurance.  Any Canadian who has stopped working for a 14-day period due to COVID-19 can qualify for the new benefit, which covers a period of up to 16 weeks. Applications open online and by phone on Monday, April 6.

Employment insurance

If you have been approved for EI benefits on or after March 15, you will be moved over to the new emergency benefit when it becomes available. If you were already receiving EI, you can switch to CERB if your benefits end before October and are jobless due to COVID-19. EI-eligible workers should apply for EI now rather than wait for the CERB application to come online on April 6.

Wage Subsidies

Your employer may be eligible for Wage  Subsidies. This program is aimed to help businesses retain and return workers to their payroll.  Keep in touch with your employer to find out if you will receive this aid.

Canada Student Loans

Effective March 30, there is a six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans for all student loan borrowers. No payment will be required, interest will not accrue during this time and students do not need to apply for the repayment pause.

Mental health support

Kids Help Phone has received additional funding to provide young people with the mental health support they need during this difficult time.

Practical services for Seniors

Increased funding to the  United Way will provide services to seniors that include the delivery of groceries, medications, or other needed items, or personal outreach to assess individuals’ needs and connect them to community supports.

Other aid for families and individuals:

• Increasing the Canada Child Benefit. This benefit will be delivered as part of the scheduled CCB payment in May. Those who already receive the Canada Child Benefit do not need to re-apply.

• Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment by early May as a one-time special payment. There is no need to apply for this payment. If you are eligible, you will get it automatically.

• Extra time to file income tax returns until June 1, 2020.

CCEC Is Here to Help

CCEC is your local credit union. We are here to help you. Call us Tuesday to Friday 9:30am-5:00pm. Please try not to visit the branch and use ATM’s, online and telephone banking.  We are offering flexibility on Loans and Mortgage Payments - call us or email so that we can review your options.  Be sure to call us and we can help you to securely and safely handle your banking needs.

Programs, details and logistics are updated daily.  Be sure to check the Federal Government website for more information. This is what we know. 

For Businesses

• Canada Emergency Wage Subsidies initiative to provide up to 75% subsidy for qualifying businesses. 

• Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) available mid-April through CCEC to provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000.

For individuals and families

• Rent Relief in BC - read this article for information.

• Canada Emergency Response Benefit, available April 6, pays a tax-free $2,000 payment to workers.

• Employment insurance - If you are approved you will receive the new emergency benefit. If you were already receiving EI, you can switch if your benefits end before October.

• Canada Child Benefit - will increase in May. 

• Special Goods and Services Tax credit payment by early May as a one-time special payment. 

CCEC Can Help!

• Businesses and organizations can sign up for Payment Stream (AFT Automatic Funds Transfer) our online service to create and deliver pre-authorized debits and direct deposit transactions. Call Atilio  for more information.

• Get flexibility on your Loans and Mortgage Payments - call us or email so that we can review your options.

• Move to online banking - if you have two signers, consider temporarily moving to one signer. This way you  can do online banking providing you with more flexibility.

CCEC is your local credit union. We are here to help you. Call us Tuesday to Friday 9:30am-5:00pm. Please try not to visit the branch and use ATM’s, online and telephone banking.