New indefinite government restrictions on businesses could result in thousands of temporary layoffs in the coming days.
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Casinos, bars, cinemas, theaters, spas, amusement parks and training centers had to close yesterday.
Restaurant owners also have to deal with limited traffic, and some have had to review their opening hours.
Already, due to the closure of casinos, Loto-Quebec was juggling, Monday, with the possibility of thanking more than 2,300 workers.
A suprise
At Cinémas Guzzo, businessman Vincent Guzzo did not rule out the possibility of having to make cuts either. It can no longer accommodate customers in its ten theaters in Quebec since 5 p.m. Monday.
“I didn’t expect that today. I expected a curfew at 10 p.m. ”, he told the Newspaper, specifying that he had to spend $ 14 million since March 2020 to try to save his company and help his employees.
” I have one feeling that we will have to put people on foot. […] With all the money we lost, I don’t think we can keep everyone on the payroll and continue the party ”added the boss.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business stepped up to the plate on Monday to demand direct assistance from Quebec for all SMEs affected by the new closures.
On Monday, Ottawa announced that it plans to pour billions of dollars into assistance programs for businesses and individuals.
Fear of slowing down
On the manufacturing side, we are keeping our fingers crossed. This sector of activity was deemed “essential” a year ago.
As a result, the CEO of Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec, Véronique Proulx, is not so afraid of a forced shutdown as of such a rapid spread of the disease among workers that manufacturers will be forced to slow down their production.
To avoid such a scenario, Ms. Proulx urges the government “to facilitate rapid access to screening tests and their results for all Quebec workers as quickly as possible.”
In the meantime, companies are thought to put in place work cells and special schedules, as in previous waves, in order to avoid as much as possible that workers cross each other for no reason.
–With the QMI Agency
Support programs to individuals and businesses
- The Canada Workers Lockdown Benefit provides income support of $ 300 per week to eligible workers.
- The Local Lockdown Support Program provides businesses facing new temporary local lockdowns with an amount up to the maximum amount of grants available under the Wage Subsidy and Rent Subsidy programs.
- The Canada Economic Stimulus Benefit for family caregivers of $ 500 per week is extended from 42 to 44 weeks.
- The Canadian Economic Stimulus Sickness Benefit of $ 500 per week available for 6 weeks.
- The Tourism and Hospitality Stimulus Program provides support through wage subsidies and rent subsidies.
- The Hardest-Affected Business Recovery Program provides support to other businesses with heavy losses through wage subsidies and rental subsidies.
- Canada’s Economic Recovery Hiring Program targets eligible employers with current lost earnings exceeding 10%, and increasing the subsidy rate to 50%.