The Government needs to step up!

As everyone already knows COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone and everything worldwide. In this blog post I will explain how COVID-19 is taking a major toll on small business and their employees. Due to the virus all restaurants are being forced to shut down to stop the spread of the virus and in turn is making small business are being forced to make the tough choice of whether to lay off staff so they can get employment insurance or keep them on with few or no hours in case the government offers a finical incentive package. With the government expected to develop lines of support for Canada’s small businesses, this will not be enough money for the employer to pay its employees for a sustainable income. As stated by Ms. O’Connor in the article, she is disappointed in the government as she knows the money that is being sent to small businesses is not enough to help keep businesses running “with revenues dropping so drastically”. As we know this virus affects everyone, but it has become a domino effect on employees where they still need to pay bills but are receiving little to no hours of work. Many employees are feeling frustrated and confused as they need the money to take care of their families although they are not able to work the hours needed. Furthermore, many employees are quitting their current jobs, to go work at a “essential business”. This not only makes a higher demand for other jobs but is putting more and more people at risk at catching the virus and spreading it to their families. This issue should and (probably) already being addressed to the government as they should send out improved financial incentive packages to employees who aren’t able to work currently. The government could also cut their tax revenue income this year which in return will go towards employees who rely on their monthly pay cheque.

Bouw, Brenda. “Business Owners Grapple with Layoff Decisions While Awaiting Government Help.” The Globe and Mail, 21 Mar. 2020, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/small-business/article-business-owners-grapple-with-layoff-decisions-while-awaiting/.