Familiar summer scenery greets me here on High Street as I arrive at our office each day; pylons and barricades indicating construction and road closures. It is said that there are two seasons in Saskatchewan: winter and construction. While it is encouraging to see necessary work being done to our roads and water mains, unfortunately, the impact to our local businesses can be significant.
I recognize the struggles many local businesses are going through. When the street in front of our office was closed for water main replacement just a year ago, businesses saw their sales decline. The businesses affected by construction this year have also had the unprecedented impact of COVID-19.
This is probably the most challenging time small businesses have seen since the 1930s and it is of major importance to support our local community businesses. I received an email from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) encouraging shopping local and supporting our small businesses. Their survey indicated seven out of ten business owners are worried that customers won’t come back and many are still struggling to pay bills. Thus, the CFIB has launched their #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign. At SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca, consumers will find a series of doable challenges like walking to a local business and buying a treat for a neighbour. #SmallBusinessEveryDay reminds us that small actions like buying a cupcake or a cup of coffee, finding a local business or recommending a business to others on social media can make a big difference to small business survival.
Saskatchewan businesses fared better than many across the country. Saskatchewan kept more of our economy open throughout the pandemic than most other provinces and as a result, 87 per cent of Saskatchewan workers remained employed, the highest percentage in Canada. In May, Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate was the second-lowest in Canada. Saskatchewan closed down less of its economy than other provinces and was the first province to release a plan for reopening its economy.
Financial support from all levels of government are helping businesses survive. The city of Moose Jaw offered a $500.00, one-time property tax credit to Moose Jaw businesses. Applications for the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment are open until July 31. The federal government has also come forward with their small business program.
The Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce was quick to respond early in the crisis to assist small businesses. They provide a number of online learning opportunities and think tanks to help in managing a business through the pandemic. The COVID-19 Resources page on their website, www.mjchamber.com/covid-19-resources, offers a very helpful list of links to all the support programs for businesses. Their latest initiative, in partnership with Tourism Moose Jaw and other businesses, is encouraging Pop-Up Patios and Outdoor Shops to generate support for small businesses and eating establishments.
Small businesses are crucial to our local economy. Close to one-third of workers in Saskatchewan are employed by small businesses. The variety of services offered by small businesses adds vibrancy to our community. It takes hard work and courage to take risks to run a small business. In the end, we all need to show our support and purchase their services for them to survive and to thrive. They are community builders and our friends and neighbours. Please check out SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca and support our local Moose Jaw businesses.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
