The hardship that small businesses have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly now as Manitoba struggles with a second wave, has been challenging for many in our community.

For the last eight months, small business owners have been incredibly resilient in the face of great adversity. Many within our community are employed by small businesses and rely on them to provide for their families. Small businesses are a critical part of the fabric of our communities, and when small businesses suffer, our entire community does. Simply put, Canada will not see an economic recovery without a real recovery for our small businesses.

Business owners need immediate and significant support from all levels of government. At the federal level of government, we continue to update our assistance measures to ensure that we help hard-hit businesses.

We have extended the wage subsidy until June 2021 to protect jobs across the country. We are providing a new emergency rent subsidy, to ensure businesses and organizations receive direct rent relief, with a generous top-up for those who are required to close due to a public health order. Our CEBA loan program is being expanded to provide more interest-free, partially forgivable loans.

This type of government support is sorely needed by businesses that find themselves struggling to make ends meet. When the economy recovers, and as businesses resume more normal operations, this level of spending and support will come to an end.

As the holiday season approaches, those who are looking for gifts for family, friends and loved ones should consider purchasing from local businesses. Most of these businesses have online shopping as well as curbside or delivery options. There are plenty of shops, bakeries and local entrepreneurs that create a variety of products and services that would make great holiday gifts.

Now more than ever, our community needs to come together in support of our small businesses. When we purchase locally, we not only support the vitality of a Manitoba business, we also support individuals, parents and families.

Stay safe everyone.

As seen in the Sou'Wester, here: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/souwester/forum/Support-local-businesses-in-holiday-season--573093061.html.