The Saskatchewan NDP is requesting additional supports to help the province’s small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Released in a statement on Thursday, the NDP is calling for the following actions from the provincial government:
- Providing grants to small businesses to address serious cash flow issues;
- Allowing payments on business leases, mortgages and other term contracts to be deferred for up to six months;
- Introducing temporary new protections for small businesses by putting a six-month moratorium on evictions, seizures and foreclosures on business leases, mortgages and other secured contracts.
Trent Wotherspoon, NDP finance critic and MLA for Regina Rosemont, said it’s crucial for these businesses to have access to necessary supports in order to survive the crisis and continue to thrive in the community.
He added they are not only places where people can gather, they are critical economically in providing and creating jobs.
“We need to make sure that our local businesses are in a position to open their doors as we come through this terribly challenging situation and help build Saskatchewan’s economy once again,” he stated.
Judith Veresuk, executive director of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, has engaged with some of her members since non-essential businesses were ordered to follow the provincial emergency order and close up shop.
She said they need more protection from governments at a time when some of them have to keep their doors closed or cannot keep staff.
“Ultimately, the rent bill is still there. It still has to get paid,” said Veresuk.
“When you are a nightclub or a nail salon or a massage therapist, when you are mandated to close from the state of emergency, the fact of the matter is there is no revenue being generated at that time.”
Veresuk added that two downtown businesses – The Capitol and Queen V Fashion House – have had to permanently close following the start of the pandemic. While she noted they were dealing with financial struggles before COVID-19, she feels more businesses could join their fate the longer they go without more supports.
Leasa Gibbons, executive director of the Regina Warehouse Business Improvement District, mentioned they have around 600 small businesses in their area.
She worries many of them will begin to suffer this month with no cash flow at their disposal.
“The rent cheques have just come through and now we’re expecting to see a little bit of a shift,” said Gibbons.
“About 80 per cent have closed their doors. So this will be the first month where they will have little to no revenue, and now we’ll see what those numbers really are.”
