Local businesses need immediate help

As the new CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Bruce Williams seems optimistic that “the Canadian economy is in relatively good shape” as our country recovers from COVID-19.

However, the bitter day-to-day reality of many businesses at my neighbourhood mall are in stark contrast to his rosy vision. These businesses are not merely suffering from pandemic-related losses — their hard-won success stories have been annihilated one by one.

Nothing could have prepared me for the dystopian horror show at the local mall. I was informed that six businesses are closing shop and many are in various stages of bankruptcy. They constitute some of the biggest fashion brands in Canada. Thousands of jobs have been lost nation-wide and the unemployed workers have nowhere to go, aside from the welfare line.

Since the pandemic has caused economic devastation in communities from Victoria to St. John’s, it seems to fit the definition of a “large-scale natural disaster.”

In any kind of cataclysmic event, Public Safety Canada provides financial assistance to provinces.

So why are Canadian workers and businesses being forced to apply for money that should be freely given to them?

Recovery from this pandemic means losing the pink glasses, facing reality and governments being willing to provide as much help and support to individuals and businesses as needed — no strings attached.

Doreen Marion Gee Victoria