Directwest continues to make the health and safety of our customers and employees our number one priority. Most of our employees continue to work remotely and for those few that need to come into the office we are practising physical distancing.

It has been several weeks since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the business landscape. Directwest remains committed to our customers providing you with the products and services your business depends on. Since the pandemic started, we have worked hard to promote local businesses with the #ShopLocal and #SupportLocal messages using Directwest online and social channels. We’ve also focused our resources on supporting local business by:

• Posting special blogs to tell people how they can support local businesses across our province
• Adding new messaging to our popular consumer platform mysask411.com to help your customers reach you more easily
• Utilizing our provincial billboard network to promote “support local” messages
• Promoting Canada #TakeoutDay and adding local restaurants to their restaurant finder
• Creating an online “Open for Business” Directory to tell users that you’re open and still doing business, just in a new way
• As part of the Crown Utility Interest Deferral Program, Directwest will implement a bill-deferral program allowing a zero-interest bill deferral for up to six months

As the Saskatchewan Government rolls out their Re-open Saskatchewan plan, we will be closely monitoring the reopening and adjusting accordingly.

It is difficult to know what the “next normal” will look like when we’ve moved past this situation, but we know the business environment will be different. Some say there will be a resurgence in the #ShopLocal movement, and your customers may want to do business in different ways. In a recent blog post, “Business Planning for the “Next Normal” , we’ve attempted to provide some ideas on how you can approach the future.

One key takeaway from the blog is that you are not alone. Directwest is here to support you now and in the future. We are grateful for the strong relationships we have built over the years with many of our customers and can assure you we are in this together and for the long haul. We are a local business too. We will adapt as you adapt.

If you are a customer, your Media Advisor will continue to be your first point of contact and will work with you to support your business needs. If you require assistance our staff are available and ready to accept calls at 1-800-667-8201 or email at dw@directwest.com.

We encourage you to help one another, stay healthy and support local Saskatchewan business.

Sincerely,

Keith Jeannot
President & CEO
Directwest Corporation