Many northwestern Ontario businesses are crediting government intervention to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Northern Policy Institute President Charles Cirtwell says recent surveys show financial aid packages have helped business owners across the region.
“The wage subsidy, it’s the interest free loan of $40,000 for small businesses, even it’s the access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for the self employed and the contractors. Those three programs alone we’re seeing rates of business uptake.”
Cirtwell adds most businesses are keeping the upbeat feelings.
“Even facing the now significant losses they know they’ll have to eat, the ability to keep staff on, to keep the lights on, is giving them a comfort level that come January of next year they know they’ll still be here.”
But, Cirtwell notes the return of customers has not materialized enough, so companies continue to shift to on-line business.
He also reveals the tourism sector is not as quick to share in the optimism.
Cirtwell says “The respondents to those questions here in the north, have seen a much bigger impact, because they’re much more dependent on that US traffic, and with the border closed, and likely to stay closed for some time.”
As for the surveys, with more results coming soon, he points out there aren’t a lot of businesses taking the time to fill it out, since many are so busy.
But, Cirtwell says the data helps the government sort out what assistance is needed.
To participate visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LNNJ6Q7
