While facing unprecedented challenges, municipalities have played a vital role in
supporting residents, non-profits, and businesses during the COVID-19 response and
recovery. Municipalities and businesses have experienced significant increase in costs
and large decreases in revenue while delivering critical services and responding to the
new normal.
Canada’s economic recovery will rely on municipalities continuing to deliver economic
stimulus, infrastructure projects, childcare, public health services, and water and
wastewater treatment while addressing increased costs in long-term care and public
health in the post-pandemic world.
Halton Region’s recovery relies on the Federal and Provincial Governments continuing
to work together to address the long-term costs resulting from COVID-19 and beyond.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on main street businesses. The
survival of the small business sector is essential to the country’s recovery efforts.
Online and digital channels are important tools for main street businesses to interact
with customers and generate revenue. The Digital Main Street Program has supported
over 1,100 businesses in Halton and a long-term investment would allow more Halton
businesses to benefit from this program.
In addition, workplace transmission of COVID-19 has highlighted the crucial need for
paid sick time. In November 2021, the Federal Government introduced legislation
that would provide ten days of permanent paid sick leave per year to workers in the
federally regulated private sector. However, many workers outside of the federally
regulated private sector still do not have access paid sick days. This is a barrier to
COVID-19 control measures, including testing and isolation, due to the fear of income
loss and financial hardship.
Halton requests:
- The continued delivery of relief funding for 2022, to support ongoing COVID-19
response and recovery efforts.
- Renew funding of the expanded Digital Main Street program and Digital
Transformation grants in 2022-23 to help Halton businesses benefit from this
program.
- The Federal Government consults with provinces, territories, and other
stakeholders to develop a national action plan to legislate paid sick leave across
the country, while respecting provincial-territorial jurisdiction and recognizing the
unique needs of small business owners.