Many Thunder Bay businesses are crediting government intervention to endure COVID-19.
The President of the Northern Policy Institute, Charles Cirtwell, says according to surveying done since May, between the N.P.I, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Community Economic Development Commission, and the North Superior Workplace Planning Board, that is the biggest help, while reopening the economy gradually and on-line business have also contributed.
“It’s the wage subsidy, it’s the interest free loan of $40,000 for small businesses, it’s the access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit for the self employed and the contractors. Those three programs we’re seeing rates of business uptake,” says Cirtwell.
He adds most businesses are keeping the upbeat feelings. “Even facing the now significant losses they know they’ll have to eat, the ability to keep staff on, to keep the lights on, is giving them a comfort level that come January of next year they know they’ll still be here.”
But, the NPI President adds the return of customers has not materialized enough, so companies continue to shift to on-line business.
He also reveals the tourism sector is not as quick to share in the optimism.
“The respondents to those questions here in the north, have seen a much bigger impact, because they’re much more dependent on that US traffic, and with the border closed, and likely to stay closed for some time,” points out Cirtwell.
As for the surveys, with more results coming soon, he points out there aren’t a lot of businesses taking the time to fill it out, since many are so busy. But, Cirtwell says the data helps the government sort out what assistance is needed. You can do that survey here.
