5.38°C Vancouver

Jul 22, 2021 4:32 PM -

Small business group launches petition to maintain government

Share On

A group representing Canada's small business sector has launched a petition pressing the federal government to halt the phasing out of financial support programs.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says small business owners are keen to replace subsidies with sales but only 35 per cent are back to normal levels of sales and many don't see that happening until next year.

In addition to closing the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan program last month, Ottawa has started to phase out the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS).

The subsidies are expected to be eliminated after Sept. 26 following three months of reductions.

The federation is calling on the federal government to keep the subsidy at June levels and extend them until the economy is fully open.

It also wants all independent businesses, including new firms, to have access to these supports.

Latest news

cbsa-seizes-112-kg-of-opium-at-pacific-highway-commercial-border-crossing
BCMar 13, 2026

CBSA seizes 112 kg of opium at Pacific Highway commercial border crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency says officers seized 112 kilograms of opium earlier this year after examining a commercial truck at the Pacific Highway Commercial Operations port of entry in Surrey. According to a CBSA statement, border services officers inspected the truck on Jan. 9 after observing what the agency described as an anomaly in the trailer as the driver returned to Canada from the United States. During the examination, officers found cardboard boxes that did not match the type of packaging typically used to transport produce. A detector dog team was deployed and gave a positive
conservatives-nominate-diana-filipova-for-scarborough-southwest-federal-byelection
CanadaMar 13, 2026

Conservatives nominate Diana Filipova for Scarborough Southwest federal byelection

The Conservative Party has nominated middle school teacher Diana Filipova as its candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The seat became vacant after former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his position as member of Parliament to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The byelection is scheduled for April 13. Scarborough Southwest is one of three ridings where voters will head to the polls that day. The Conservatives have now nominated candidates in all three contests. Another vote will take place in the Toronto riding of Universit
burnaby-rcmp-release-suspect-sketches-in-central-park-indecent-acts-investigation
BCMar 13, 2026

Burnaby RCMP release suspect sketches in Central Park indecent acts investigation

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify two suspects linked to a series of indecent acts reported in Burnaby’s Central Park earlier this year. According to a Burnaby RCMP news release, the detachment’s High Risk Offender Unit continues to investigate five incidents reported over a five-day period in January 2026. Police said four of the incidents occurred in Central Park and involved a male suspect committing acts ranging from public nudity to masturbation. Police first alerted the public to the incidents on Jan. 23. Investigators have since produced two suspect sketche
surrey-police-charge-25-drivers-with-excessive-speeding-over-four-days-vehicles-impounded
CanadaMar 13, 2026

Surrey police charge 25 drivers with excessive speeding over four days, vehicles impounded

The Surrey Police Service says officers charged 25 drivers for excessive speeding over a four-day enforcement period in Surrey, with all vehicles impounded under provincial traffic laws. According to a police release, members of the service’s Road Safety Section conducted traffic enforcement between March 6 and March 9 and stopped multiple drivers travelling far above posted speed limits. Police reported one driver travelling 183 km/h in an 80 km/h zone who also did not have insurance. Another driver was recorded at 139 km/h in a 50 km/h zone and did not have a valid driver’s licence. Addi
taliban-government-accuses-pakistan-of-striking-civilian-homes-in-kabul-kandahar-air-raids
WorldMar 13, 2026

Taliban government accuses Pakistan of striking civilian homes in Kabul, Kandahar air raids

Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Friday accused Pakistan’s military of targeting civilian homes during overnight airstrikes in Kabul and the southern province of Kandahar, as cross-border fighting between the two countries entered its third week. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement posted on X that women and children were among those killed in the strikes. The claim could not be independently verified. According to Mujahid, Pakistani aircraft also struck fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near Kandahar’s airport. Pakistan’s military

Related News