Julie Kwiecinski, spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB, Ontario), said in a statement that the PPE grant and permanent expanded alcohol sales will benefit e smallest and hardest hit businesses.
“Only 28% of Ontario’s small- and medium-sized businesses are back to normal revenues, and this number is even lower for the most vulnerable sectors like hospitality, and arts and recreation,” Kwiecinski said. “Any steps to help businesses increase sales are desperately needed and appreciated.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the Doug Ford government failed to plan properly for a second wave of COVID-19 and now main street businesses are among those suffering.
“When schools, long-term-care homes and small businesses on main street across Ontario needed support to prepare for the second wave, the Ford government refused to make those investments, to cap classes, to protect seniors and to save main street,” Horwath said Wednesday. “Does the premier now understand that his failure to invest through the summer is costing us much more than it needed to during the second wave of COVID-19?”
Premier Doug Ford said the government will have more to announce over the next week or so on how it will help small businesses survive the economic turbulence.
aartuso@postmedia.com
