Anthony Bertrand works six days a week at the farmers market Bountiful from Edmonton. Even at this rate, expenses add up faster than profits.
Without the right to any help, the pancake seller quickly sees the end of his adventure approaching.
All in all, since the beginning I have on average 500 dollars of wages per month, with a mortgage to pay, with bills, with taxes and a family to raise. It’s not possible, so I’ve been living on my savings for four months. I might be able to live another two months. And then afterwards, we will have to file for bankruptcy and find something else
, summarizes the entrepreneur.
Anthony Bertrand saw a significant drop in clientele in the fall.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Manuel Carrillos Avalos
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Even though his project matured for two years, the former employee had the misfortune to start his business just weeks before the pandemic struck Canada.
A date which precipitates Anthony Bertrand in the camp of the forgotten.
Criteria that exclude
Whether it is to obtain the emergency wage subsidy or the new version of the emergency subsidy from Canada for rent, the federal government is asking to be able to compare the revenues of businesses with those before the pandemic.
The beneficiary must therefore have generated revenue in 2019 or at least in January and February 2020, which all businesses open after this date do not have.
Even at the provincial level, the Alberta grant for small and medium-sized businesses requires calculating the loss of revenue from at least February 2020.
The additional money announced Tuesday does not change the criteria.
It’s terrible because these people who have started a business are courageous people and they are forgotten.
Impossible not to open
The feeling of injustice also thrills the voices of Heather Merrett and Mélodie-Joy Miller. The duo feel like they are being penalized for an event no one could have predicted.
They had done their homework before embarking on the opening of a new restaurant in Banff. Over four million visitors, international tourists who spend on average a lot more money than locals. Their business plan was concrete.
Heather Merrett and Melodie-Joy Miller founded Seed n Salt.
Photo: Provided by Seed N Salt
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The two women signed the lease in December and took possession of the premises on February 1.
When restrictions hit in mid-March, around $ 200,000 worth of work had already been swallowed up. Impossible to back down.
This business plan that was used to obtain loans should be able to be used to justify their loss of income, they believe.
It’s a complete mess. There is no logic behind the exclusion of new businesses. Anyone in their right mind would look at our situation and see that we have suffered losses
, gets carried away Melodie-Joy Miller.
The entrepreneurs, also mothers of three children each, wrote to the city council, their provincial and federal deputies, the chambers of commerce and various hospital associations.
The short answer: we had no feedback
, regrets Ms. Miller.
Ricochet in the community
In Edmonton, Fatima Zaid faces the same closed doors. The co-owner of Amandine Café also tried to alert her federal deputy and provincial representatives. Radio silence.
This woman, full of ideas, emphasizes how the difficulties of her business are rippling throughout the community.
I employ six people, five of them full time. […] Behind us, there are four other local businesses: my coffee supplier who is from Calgary, my ice cream supplier who is a francophone from Edmonton, etc.
, explains Ms. Zaid.
Fatima Zaid opened her café in early June.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Manuel Carrillos Avalos
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The opening hours of the café have been reduced as has the food supply to limit expenses.
The new measures that take effect on Sunday will force the cafe to close its doors. Is it worth paying at least three employees for a few door-to-door or delivery sales, Ms. Zaid wonders
We are at an impasse. We don’t want to close.
Fighting comes at a financial and mental cost. It takes a lot of effort, a lot of energy. We are young entrepreneurs under 40, we have young children and it is starting to be really very difficult on the mind.
, she says moved.
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