REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for Jobs and the Economy Aleana Young proposed a business relief plan to support small and medium businesses struggling in the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently ineligible for any federal supports.
“Small and medium businesses in Saskatchewan are struggling. Whether it’s short-staffing pressures, outbreaks or drop in sales, they’re desperate.” said Young. “Small and medium businesses in every other province have access to both provincial and federal relief. The Sask Party government has shut Saskatchewan businesses out of both.”
The NDP plan includes three common-sense solutions proving to support hardest-hit businesses across the country:
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Saskatchewan Wage and Rent Subsidy, matching the Local Lockdown Program accessible to businesses in every other province
- Proof-of-Vax Implementation Grant, to retroactively offset equipment and staffing costs associated with enforcing public health orders, as introduced in Alberta and PEI
- Reintroduce the Delivery Fee Cap, as called for by Restaurants Canada
“If this government refuses to take any steps to curb Omicron spread in our communities, they should at least be offering support to those businesses bearing the brunt of that decision,” said Young. “Saskatchewan businesses are resilient but they are stretched, stressed, and increasingly in debt. They need help to keep their doors open and get to the other side of this pandemic.”
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