Ford govt must give final grant to small businesses barely hanging on: NDP MPP

TORONTO – NDP MPP Chris Glover (Spadina-Fort York) said business owners in his riding are desperately waiting for the third round of small business grants from the Ford government that were promised in mid-December.

Doug Ford gave big box stories an advantage over small business during the pandemic. Now, the grants that are already too small are late — money for businesses that Ford locked down in the Omicron wave in December was supposed to flow by mid-February. Applications for the program close today.

“I’ve spoken with dozens of business owners in Spadina-Fort York who are hanging on by their fingernails, in debt and in financial crisis, desperate for support,” says MPP Chris Glover. “The majority have not received the grant and it’s now mid-March. Businesses have done all they can to keep customers and staff safe, and they need relief now.

“Ford's small business grant program has been rife with glitches and delays, including sending hundreds of millions if dollars to businesses that don’t qualify — some that aren’t even based on Ontario — while leaving small Ontario businesses out. Many small and medium business owners have burned through their life savings, taken on a mountain of debt and continue to be at risk of losing their business.

Ford government must provide the supports they were promised to keep paying their staff help stay afloat."

Quotes

John Ulgen Simit & Chai 787 King Street West

"The pandemic has been hell. We've been paying staff from our personal savings, but now, all our personal savings are gone. We’ve been left with nothing except for the business now.The grant would go to help pay our staff. We submitted our form on January 27th and have not even received a confirmation."

Kathryn Beet Yogaspace

"Got the first two grants - submitted the form for the 3rd on Jan 27th. I’ve run a successful yoga studio for 25 years. I had a 4,000 sq' studio that cost $14,000/month. I had to close that studio to survive. I went online and rented space. Did not get an email regarding the third round. I've eaten through my savings. I might have to sell my house. The pandemic has been devastating. After 25 years of being in business and now ever I'm investing in a rented studio and trying to survive. How can I keep my business going? I am living hand to mouth. Trying to be innovative, but it's a crapshoot.”

Lidia Caschera Mi Taco Bloor West

"If I got this grant, I would be able to pay my landlord. We're trying to get through to the spring when we're hoping customers will come back and we can begin to work out of the massive debt we incurred through the pandemic."