Ford government refuses to save small businesses in Niagara Falls that now risk losing everything

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) stepped up the pressure on Doug Ford Tuesday to take action to save small businesses in Niagara that he’s failed to support through this crisis, and now risk being evicted and losing everything.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly difficult for small businesses in Niagara and across Ontario,” said Gates.

“Recently, the impact of this government’s unwillingness to help resulted in a business in Niagara Falls being forced to shut their doors permanently. With a sharp reduction in income and full closure for several weeks, this business owner couldn't keep up with rent payments. Their landlord refused to use the rent subsidy program and evicted them at the end of August. This is unacceptable.”

“When will this government step up and provide direct relief for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID 19 and have zero support from their landlords?” Gates asked the premier.

Gates told the Ontario legislature that this business in Niagara Falls that was evicted from their premises was operating for over 20 years and had employees for over 15 years. “I wrote directly to the Minister of Finance about this business, pleading for assistance, and he chose to do nothing. No direct support. The rent subsidy provides 50 percent of the rent for businesses that have been forced to temporarily close because of COVID-19, but landlords have to apply and some refuse to,” said Gates.

“My question is simply, why won’t this Conservative government step up and provide the rent support directly to businesses? Why are they sitting on their hands while businesses in Niagara and the rest of the province are forced to permanently close and lay off workers?” asked Gates.