The number of tweets and emails I've received from business owners ready to defy lockdowns is growing by the minute, especially in Ontario. I don't think govts appreciate how close we are to society's breaking point.
CFIB does not recommend business owners break the rules. But I do not dismiss the concerns of those ready to take this extraordinary step either. If you were in the position of losing your business, your economic future, your home, what would you do?
We need to find an immediate pathway to provide support to business owners facing permanent closure due to COVID restrictions. This means finding ways to allow them to operate with limited capacity. It means full economic supports from the feds and provinces for ALL affected.
It is deeply shameful that the federal govt has still not fixed the problems with the rent, wage subsidy and the CEBA/HASCAP loan programs that prevent new and micro-sized businesses from accessing them. May 19 will mark the 1 year anniversary of the PM's promise to fix things.
The Federal budget announced plans to reduce the rent and wage subsidy over the months ahead just as provinces announced fresh lockdowns. This needs to be put on hold.
Provinces need to announce new grant support (not more debt) to help small firms make it across the finish line.
Blanket lockdowns should be replaced with rapid testing and % capacity rules. A hair salon should be able to serve customers if they test stylists to prevent asymptomatic spread.
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