The national association representing Canada's small business sector has launched a petition urging the federal government in Ottawa to continue the financial support programs put in place during the pandemic.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says small business owners are eager to replace subsidies with sales but only 35% are back to normal levels of sales and many don't see that happening until next year.
In addition to closing the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan program last month, Ottawa has begun to phase out the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) programs.
The subsidies are expected to be eliminated entirely after September 26 this year following three months of reductions.
The CFIB is calling on the federal government to keep the subsidy programs at June levels and extend them until the economy is fully reopened. It also wants all independent businesses, including new firms, to have access to these supports going forward.
