Small biz still slipping through support gaps: CFIB
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Too many struggling small businesses are falling through the cracks of federal and provincial support programs, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says.
President and CEO Dan Kelly said there are a variety of reasons why businesses aren’t able to access or make use of existing programs.
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“I think governments are fooling themselves when they tell Canadian entrepreneurs that we’ve got your back,” Kelly said Tuesday. “There are thousands and thousands of businesses that are ineligible, unable to access or stuck in some loop, in some administrative loop… trying to access critical government support programs.”
The federal government had been responsive to early concerns about support programs, adjusting many to address needs or increase eligibility, he said.
However, many self-employed people now find themselves shut out of supports designed for businesses or individual workers, he said.
The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy helps eligible businesses cover part of their commercial rent provided they pay the full amount owing the landlord, but that requirement puts the program out of reach for some small businesses, Kelly said.
Many new companies also find they’re not allowed to access business support programs, he said.
Kat Cuplinskas, spokesperson for federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, said in an email Tuesday that the government’s top priority remains supporting Canadians and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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That business support includes wage subsidies that cover up to 75%, rent subsidies that range up to 90%, an expanded Canada Emergency Business Account loan and the new Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program which offers low-interest loans up to $1 million, she said.
“Our government continues to actively assess our support measures to ensure businesses and workers have the support they need,” Cuplinskas said. “We continue to welcome feedback from Canadians and businesses on how we can best be there for them — as we have done since the start of the pandemic.”
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