NDP calls for more small business support through third wave of pandemic

PORT ALBERNI – With a dangerous third wave and further restrictions on small business, NDP critic for small business, Gord Johns (Courtenay-Albern), is calling on the federal government to extend its COVID-19 relief for small business owners.

“Small business owners have been on the front line of this pandemic and many are not able to weather further restrictions without more help from the government,” said Johns. “New Democrats are listening to small business owners and we’re continuing to call on the government to get them the help they deserve. Canadian entrepreneurs and their workers have been very clear that they need the Liberal government to further expand the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to help more struggling businesses survive.”

Today in Question Period, Johns said that small businesses need assurances that next week’s federal budget will include supports that small business owners desperately need. Johns specifically said that the CEBA must be extended by an additional $20,000 and owners must be granted until at least the end of 2025 to pay back their loan.

Johns wrote to Minister Freeland on Thursday outlining the details of the proposed extension.

“Small businesses are essential to local economies, and the government must ensure they are protected as the pandemic continues. With the right choices now, we can ensure we protect our communities and the jobs within them,” said Johns. “As a former small business owner myself, I know how crushing debt can be. In extending CEBA by another $20,000, it is absolutely essential that at least $10,000 of that extension be forgivable so people are not impacted by debt for years to come. The pandemic has gone on longer than any of us expected and owners need more support and more time to get back on their feet financially.”