Four in five (81%) Alberta small business owners are concerned more lockdowns could impact their business in the fall
With many small businesses having lost a year or more to lockdowns, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on provincial governments to adopt “stay-open” strategies, so any possible resurgences of COVID-19 do not lead to further business closures. CFIB has sent a letter to premiers outlining its stay open strategy and launched a new petition business owners can sign at cfib.ca/ stayopen.
“Provinces have done a good job of putting reopening plans in place, but very few have stated their intention to stay open or released detailed plans on how they will do that,” said CFIB Executive Vice-President Laura Jones.
Based on a survey, the preliminary results for Your Voice – August 2021 survey. The online survey started August 5, 2021, n=2,878. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.8%, 19 times out of 20.
The majority (86 per cent) of Alberta business owners say they want their provincial government to adopt a “stay
Open” strategy that aims to avoid further lockdowns while protecting the health care system. CFIB’s proposed stay-open plan includes:
• Clear, evidence-based communications around risks and any decisions leading to additional restrictions
• Direct provincial funding in place prior to announcing additional restrictions
• The attention of government and the public on hospitalization rates rather than case counts
• More use of rapid testing, if needed
• Proof of vaccination for travel and large events, if needed
“The last 16 months have been incredibly hard on small business owners, not only financially, but emotionally as well. They can’t take more lockdowns. Provincial governments have the opportunity to reassure businesses that lockdowns are an extraordinary measure that will only be used now as a last resort by announcing a clear policy that keeping things open is a priority,” concluded Jones.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small- and mediumsized businesses with 95,000 members (9,300 Alberta) across every industry and region.