Ford's conservatives failed to support small businesses in the first wave of COVID-19. And now, with new restrictions, he is not only failing to support the businesses that survived the first lockdown - his new guidelines favour big business retailers over local shops.
While stores like Wal-Mart and Joe Fresh can stay open - including for non-essential items - our local florists, clothing stores, and more are once again forced to close. Ford needs to give small businesses a fighting chance while the big chains allowed to stay open continue raking in profits.
We are calling on immediate direct concrete financial support to compensate small businesses and help with costs like rent and payroll. Paid sick days for every Ontario worker, a ban on commercial evictions, a fund to help businesses with safe-reopening costs or remote-work set-up costs, and more.
Ontario's economy depends on small and medium-sized businesses, we must support these businesses during this global pandemic.
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