Who’s ‘essential’ and who isn’t?
Confusion reigns among small businesses while big-box stores can remain open
Toronto businesses are confused about what’s considered an “essential” business under the latest lockdown, and frustrated that many big-box stores are remaining open during the most important shopping season of the year.
Ryan Mallough, director of provincial affairs for Ontario for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), said the classification for “essential” businesses under the “grey” lockdown stage isn’t the same as the first lockdown, and this is causing confusion among business owners. For example, he said pet retailers don’t seem to be included this time as essential, but pet groomers are — the opposite of the last lockdown.
Often, small business owners are getting conflicting information from government websites or the business hotline, he added.
The provincial government’s colourcoded response framework lists businesses that can remain open during the
lockdown, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, garden centres, and laundromats. It includes pet services such as groomers or sitters, but does not mention pet retailers specifically.
Kaelo Gallagher, co-owner of Menagerie Pet Shop, couldn’t find any definitive information on whether his business should remain open or not. So, out of an abundance of caution, the store closed and is offering curbside delivery.
But he feels pet stores should remain open and is frustrated that larger retailers also selling pet food can open while his store is closed.
“It’s frustrating that there isn’t a clear designation,” he said.
Gallaghner’s shop has do-ityourself dog-washing stations. “We could say we offer grooming and open the doors, but I don’t know if it’s responsible or not.”
While Gallagher doesn’t think it would be fair to limit what goods a store sells, he does think small businesses should be able to reopen at a limited capacity.
This confusion is an issue the CFIB has raised since the pandemic began, Mallough said. “We are seeing those mistakes repeated.”
As well, Mallough said small businesses are frustrated that large chain stores that sell nonessential goods alongside essential items such as groceries remain open, while they have to close their doors and rely on online orders and curbside pickup.
“How is it the independent (are) being told it is unsafe for the public to come here and buy a book … but you can purchase the exact same book at a Walmart or Costco?” he said.
Some larger retailers stayed open at the beginning of the latest lockdown, only to be told they weren’t so essential after all. For example, a Hudson’s Bay store remained open for a day after the lockdown began because of a section selling groceries. As well, The Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic locations in Toronto and Peel reportedly remained open for a few days before saying they would close on Thursday.
The timing of this lockdown couldn’t have been worse, Mallough added. Black Friday is around the corner and businesses have been looking forward to the holiday shopping rush to bolster their sales before the lull of the new year.
“It is going to be lethal to lose sales in November-December,” he said.
On Nov. 25, the CFIB launched a petition asking the province to allow small businesses to reopen under strict guidelines.
The same day, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie announced she would be putting forward a motion Thursday to limit big box stores to selling essential items only in order to “level the playing field” for hard-hit small businesses.
Mallough said the CFIB has had “productive” talks with the province and other organizations, but wants to see changes as quick as possible. He also wants to see the province’s $600 million business relief fund cover a wider range of fixed costs, such as bills, and adopt a sliding scale to cover businesses in other restriction zones, not just red and grey.
“Every day here counts,” he said.