Mulroney, Tangri discuss pandemic recovery with local business owners

The Bradford Board of Trade, in collaboration with the Georgina Chamber of Commerce and East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce, hosted a virtual round table discussion on Friday afternoon about COVID recovery with local business owners, York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney and The Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. 

The dignitaries were able to field questions from local business owners and listen to their feedback and suggestions on how the government can support them during pandemic recovery.

Jennifer Anderson with the Georgina Chamber moderated the hour-long virtual discussion of nearly 40 participants. 

"This is really a listening exercise for us, we want to be able to answer your questions," Mulroney told meeting participants.  "We are thinking about the next phase of our recovery."

"We appreciate the patience of our communities and we do thank you for supporting us and guiding us. It's important we have this dialogue to take back," added Tangri.

Tangri pointed out that more than 90 per cent of all businesses in Ontario are small, and "we need to keep our focus on how we can support you". 

She talked about the province's newly introduced Fall Red Tape Reduction Package and the Supporting People and Businesses Act.

"The bill will help businesses stack up and grow," she said. "To date, our government has taken over 300 actions to reduce red tape (policies)." 

The act will support businesses and help government deliver rules that help promote public health and safeguard the environment. If passed, the bill could help up to 1,200 businesses.  

Since June 2018, the provincial government has reduced the total number of regulatory compliances by three percent, saving over $773 million in annual regulatory compliance costs.

Before the pandemic, only 60 per cent of businesses had a website, and of those only 75 per cent had an online payment option. When the pandemic hit, the province introduced the digital main street program, which helped 20,000 businesses to picot to online sales. 

"Yesterday we announced a new small digitization action plan, extending and enhancing main street initiatives with $40 million, to help them (businesses) compete and improve productivity," said Mulroney.

The program also offers grants, technical training and digital resources to reach more customers, both in-person and online. 

"Shop Here" is another new program, which gives business owners one on one help and access to grants. The program's expansion will help 36,000 businesses over the next two years. The province will also be investing $10 million in a small business competent centre which will provide training and support and help companies understand digital adoption. 

Business owners from all different sectors were on the call on Friday and had the chance to offer feedback and ask questions about the province's recovery plan. 

One gym owner requested more assistance in the form of an extended loan payback deadline until the general population feels more comfortable going back to exercise in public facilities. 

Tangri acknowledged the challenges faced by those in the fitness industry, noting the loss of revenues experienced by gym owners in the 30 to 50 per cent range. 

To help, she said she would like to see more grants being offered as opposed to loans. 

It was noted that while it was the federal government responsible for the issued loans, the officials promised to advocate for the business owners to have the loan repayment deadline extended, and look at alternative ways to support the fitness industry. 

"We still need to encourage everyone to come back (to the gym), that they can feel safe in the facilities, we think there is some hesitancy there," noted Tangri. 

Salim Bardai from Freshii restaurant in Bradford asked if there was something that could be done about the high insurance rates landlords are now charging commercial tenants. 

"From 2019-2020, our business insurance jumped 208 percent," he told the officials, noting that was the best price he could get even after shopping around.

He said a lot of the government grants small businesses received went to insurance, leaving them with less to spend on other business expenses. 

"Is there something that can be done in terms of capping insurance companies so they are not taking advantage of small business owners trying to stay afloat?" he asked.

Tangri said she was appalled at the increase in insurance premiums throughout the pandemic, and mentioned that Premier Doug Ford has been in talks with the Ontario Insurance Bureau of Canada to work out the price gouging issues. She said the government ended up offering an affordable insurance product for business owners with a group of select companies.  

"It was successful but doesn't change that you paid 208 percent in the previous year," said Tangri. "It's time as a government we step in a little more."

Business owner Mike Boddington asked about progress on the Bradford Bypass, the 16.2km proposed link between Highways 400 and 404. 

"The goal is to lay out the roadmap and bypass is part of that to help move goods, lower the cost of goods, improve quality of life, and create jobs in construction," said Mulroney. "We are completing the EA (environmental assessment) process and engaging with some property owners looking to sell their property so when EA is done we can move to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible."

Tangri said the government is also looking at shortening the EA process to 3-5 years down from 10 and harmonizing building codes, granting municipalities greater authority in planning decisions so that housing and business developments could be expedited. 

Tangri and Mulroney thanked the business owners for their questions and feedback. 

"We are very close to (business) chambers. Your concerns are being brought forward on a regular basis," confirmed Mulroney.

Both women encouraged the business owners to reach out to their offices with any questions or comments. 

"Because we are here to help," said Mulroney. 

The Hon. Nina Tangri can be reached by email [email protected] or by phone at 905-569-1643.  

The Hon. Caroline Mulroney at [email protected] or 905-895-1555.