'It's weak sauce': Some small business owners in Ontario disappointed in latest government pandemic supports
From restaurants to retailers, gyms to salons, recently imposed provincial capacity limits are putting another squeeze on small business owners.
After days of calling for help from all levels of government, today both the provincial and federal government unveiled measures, aimed at helping small businesses -- but the announcement left many wanting more.
"It's weak sauce," Arron Barberian told CTV News Toronto on Wednesday. The owner of Barbarian's Steak House says he was hoping for more. "We were expecting some real money, grant money. Some real dollars to help out restaurants."
The federal government lowered the threshold of recently announced relief measures, now allowing any business that is forced to operate at fifty per cent capacity or more to apply. Among the supports being offered, both wage and rent subsidies, but those supports will require business owners to apply in January, and payments may not come until months in to the new year.
"Good luck to any business who's expecting money soon," Barberian argued. "You're not going to see any money until maybe February and you know we're in—our boat has sunk, we're in the life raft, we need help now."
Meanwhile, the province announced today it will offer rebate payments of half of the property and energy tax a business incurs during reduced capacity restrictions. It will also defer payments on a number of provincial taxes.
"Fifty per cent rebate on electricity and property tax is going to be helpful for some businesses," said Ryan Mallough of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "But I don't think it's going to be what tilts the decision one way or another between staying open or closing. I think we were hopeful for grant support and are still looking for that."
Neither announcement offered any immediate financial support, something many businesses and organizations had called for.
"We're at the point where we need every penny that we can get," said James Rilett of Restaurants Canada. "Restaurants are scraping by, they're being forced to close, they've lost the busiest part of their year, so they need everything they can get."
Some worry that future rebates and payment deferrals will simply extend the debt load that many small businesses are currently carrying. The CFIB says in Ontario, the average small business debt from COVID-19 alone is $190,000.
Mallough says there is frustration that governments have not planned for another COVID-19-related business interruption -- especially one that comes at what would normally by one of the busiest times of the year for both retailers and restaurants.
"All the way back to August and September, we were telling governments across the country, ‘look, should we find ourselves in this situation again, there needs to be a stay-open plan. If things get bad enough, where we do need to restrict, where we do need to close down businesses, then supports have to be available immediately.’"
Along with a plan for the future, many are calling on the governments to allow businesses to keep the HST they've collected over the holiday season in the form of an emergency grant. Some fearing that without an immediate influx of financial aid, some businesses that have struggled to make it through 2021, may not make it in to 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.