The Ontario NDP say they have a plan to help struggling small businesses in northwestern Ontario.
The Official Opposition are updating their “Save Main Street” plan, which was first announced in April.
It includes a utility freeze for businesses, a 75% commercial rent subsidy up to $10,000 per month for three months, and a fund to help businesses work remotely.
The plan also calls for a dedicated fund to re-train people, help them get new jobs, more paid sick days and a ban on evictions.
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says he heard “day in and day out” over the summer from businesses that were suffering and didn’t qualify for provincial or federal help.
He adds they’ll be raising awareness about these issues at Queens Park.
Mamakwa says “Whether it’s Sioux Lookout. Whether it’s Red Lake. Whether it’s Kenora. Whether it’s Thunder Bay. We need to be able to work together and come up with a common goal, common voice, on how we can work with small business.”
The NDP also want to focus on a “she-covery, a program helping women who tend to face barriers in getting jobs while also being responsible for childcare amidst the pandemic.
