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By Caitlyn Lepp
As more and more small businesses consider closing their doors due to financial pressures related to COVID-19, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says more than 89,000 jobs are at risk in Saskatchewan.
Marilyn Braun-Pollon, the CFIB’s vice-president of Western Canada and agri-business, says challenges small businesses are facing have not vanished since 2020.
“Even though we’ve got about 76 per cent of businesses that are fully open, only 27 per cent are making normal sales, so when you look at it, we are nowhere near to be viable,” she says.
It’s more important to support local businesses in the community during these unprecedented times.
“One in three businesses are actively considering closure, so I think when you look at what we need to do goes without saying, that supporting local is more important than ever,” she says.
Braun-Pollon says in order to see a full recovery, every Saskatchewan resident needs to follow health guidelines.
“It would be devastating for businesses to have to look at further restrictions. We’re relieved that we haven’t gotten into a complete lockdown. Only 43 per cent of businesses say that it would be devastating for them,” Braun-Pollon said.
Moving towards online shopping, the CFIB wants to remind people to look at purchasing from local businesses first before buying items from major markets.
“A lot of businesses have transitioned to online and there’s help for that too … The government has a recovery adaptation rebate that there’s low uptake right now,” Braun-Pollon said.
The CFIB launched a helpline which has taken more than 75,000 calls since March. It helps any business owner who may have questions about federal and provincial programs.
“One of our business counsellors can kind of walk them through the maze of the wage subsidy and other programs just so they know what they can have access to and it’s here for any business,” Braun-Pollon said.
Any business that would like to find out more information can call the CFIB helpline at 1-888-234-2232.
