Supports are being provided in neighbouring Alberta, which has also seen thousands evacuated due to wildfires.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, whether you’re south or in the North,” said Aleana Young, Saskatchewan Shadow Minister for Jobs & Economy. “We’ve heard from business owners who were already stretched for resources after the Sask Party’s PST hike, and are now out thousands of dollars in inventory, lost revenue and more.
“We need to be focused on the future of the North and that includes supporting small businesses and their staff as they make plans to reopen and, in some cases, rebuild entirely.”
The Saskatchewan NDP is specifically calling on the Sask. Party to:
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Accept our demand for a grant program to help businesses stay afloat during the wildfire crisis – especially for seasonal businesses like tourism and outfitting that do the vast majority of their business during the summer months.
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Allow businesses impacted by wildfires to delay or defer taxes and fees owed to the provincial government.
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Expedite any SGI coverage and claims for small businesses and tourism vendors impacted by the wildfires.
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Commit to charging zero interest on any government tax arrears for impacted businesses.
Matthew Maurer, President of the La Ronge & District Chamber of Commerce, said he’s heard from many businesses, some insured and some not. He said even insurance claims likely won’t cover all the sunk costs facing businesses forced to evacuate.
“This is also the major part of our tourism season,” Maurer said. “So many of those outfitters have lost all their business because people can’t get to them on the roads.
“Being shut down for even one week is a huge loss for our local economy.”
Don McBean, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and SaskGaming, said the Sask. Party Government should be stepping up to help tourism vendors.
“This is part of how we get things back to normal in the North when this crisis ends,” he said. “These tourism outfits are a massive part of the economy and we want to ensure they’re supported so they can get back up and running as soon as possible.
“A key part of Saskatchewan’s future is having a vibrant tourism industry that invites in visitors from across the province, across Canada and around the world.”
Karli Carr owns and operates the Boreal Colours Salon in La Ronge. She said she’s been forced to draw heavily from her savings to keep afloat since the evacuations began.
“That was money I had put away to expand my business,” she said. “I hear from others who are far more worse off than me. The Government should be stepping up to help us get back on our feet, help us get our community back.”
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