17.72°C Vancouver

Apr 21, 2020 10:58 PM -

Survey of nearly 1,300 British Columbia businesses reveals,just over half of those expect to reopen

Share On
survey-of-nearly-1-300-british-columbia-businesses-reveals-just-over-half-of-those-expect-to-reopen
FILE - In this March 16, 2020, file photo, a bread delivery is made to a Shake Shack restaurant in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The burger chain Shake Shack says it will return a small-business loan it got to help weather the coronavirus crisis after topping up its funding. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

A survey of nearly 1,300 British Columbia businesses reveals just over half of those already closed to due COVID-19 restrictions expect to reopen.

The BC Chamber of Commerce and several partners took part in the Mustel survey, which shows a further 38 per cent of businesses are unsure about reopening and eight per cent already know they won't be back.

Of the small businesses still operating, the survey shows 43 per cent estimate they can only survive for a maximum of three more months under current restrictions.

More than half report revenues have plunged 75 per cent or more and almost eight in 10 are not confident they will be able to attract enough customers or revenue to stay alive when normal operations resume.

Latest news

potential-strike-notice-looms-for-air-canada
CanadaAug 12, 2025

Potential strike notice looms for Air Canada

The union representing around 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants could signal its intent to strike if a deal isn't reached by the end of today.The earliest that flight attendants could potentially walk off the job is Saturday at 12:01 a.m. ET.Since the union must provide 72-hours notice if it plans to strike, that means it could declare its plans for a work stoppage by Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET.Air Canada said yesterday it "remains at the bargaining table and is focused on achieving a negotiated settlement" without any disruption to travel.Flights are continuing to operate as scheduled, but
police-appeal-for-witnesses-to-sexual-assault
CanadaAug 12, 2025

Police Appeal for Witnesses to Sexual Assault

A man has been arrested and charged in a Surrey Police Service (SPS) investigation of a sexual assault allegation that occurred on August 5, 2025, and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The alleged sexual assault took place at 12:15 pm on August 5, 2025, outside the Tim Horton’s located at 8080 120 Street and the Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 8066 120 Street, Surrey. SPS’s Special Investigation Unit has taken over the investigation and is now appealing to the public for any witnesses or those who may have CCTV and/or dashcam footage to come forward in the hopes o
bridge-replacement-will-improve-highway-1-through-fraser-canyon
BCAug 12, 2025

Bridge replacement will improve Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon

Work will get underway in fall 2025 on a project to replace the aging Sackum overhead bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Lytton, improving safety and supporting the long-term reliability of Highway 1 in the region. The project includes the design and construction of a modern two-lane bridge over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail line. Additional upgrades will improve safety by realigning a section of the highway north of the bridge. This upgrade will remove a short passing lane that no longer meets standards, and create a gentler curve, wider and more consistent shoulders
canada-condemns-israel-over-deaths-of-journalists-new-restrictions-on-aid
CanadaAug 12, 2025

Canada condemns Israel over deaths of journalists, new restrictions on aid

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says a "famine is unfolding" in Gaza which will be made even worse by new restrictions by Israel on international aid groups.Anand signed a joint statement along with two dozen foreign ministers from Europe, Asia and Australia today which says the humanitarian suffering in Gaza is already at "unimaginable levels."Israel denies widespread claims that starvation is taking place in Gaza amid strict controls on what aid enters the territory and how food is allowed to be distributed.The statement comes a day after Ottawa condemned the Israeli military's killing
surrey-police-service-pilots-biometric-scanning-for-jail-cells
CanadaAug 12, 2025

Surrey Police Service Pilots Biometric Scanning for Jail Cells

Surrey Police Service (SPS) has taken steps to monitor the health and safety of those in custody in SPS’s jail cells by using biometric scanners. In March 2025, SPS began the process of installing biometric scanners in several adult and youth detention cells as part of a pilot project to determine whether biometrics could be used to better monitor and safeguard the health of those in SPS’s custody. This innovative approach to ensuring detainee’s health uses continuous, non-invasive monitoring of vital health metrics, enabling timely interventions and personalized care. From tracking h

Related News