Ford government must review cases of small businesses left behind by grant program: NDP MPP

York South—Weston — MPP Faisal Hassan urged Doug Ford to review cases of small business owners who feel they have been overlooked by the government's small business support grant program.

“Small businesses have suffered greatly as a result of the pandemic,” Hassan said. “Many have closed their doors for good. Many still open are struggling under mounting debt, increasingly frustrated with the Ford government’s failure to address issues with its grant program.”

Hassan said business owners like Hao Nhat Chau of Shell’s Nails and Spa kept meticulous records of its interactions with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, only to see its applications delayed and ignored.

“The Auditor General identified multiple issues with the Ford government’s small business grant program, including that the government awarded $210 million to ineligible recipients,” Hassan said.

“How is it that Hao Nhat Chau, who did everything right, couldn’t even get a resolution to her application? I am calling on the government to review her case to determine what went wrong — along with any other cases who want to appeal.

The Ford government shut down appeals for the small business assistance grant program without notice.

“Doug Ford cannot continue to turn its back on small businesses with legitimate grievances and unanswered questions and commit to reviewing businesses’ outstanding concerns with the previous round of small business support grants,” said Hassan.