Ontario Construction News staff writer
Small businesses across Ontario are asking for financial help to survive the impact of lengthy construction projects.
In a letter to Puslinch Township council, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) requested a construction mitigation program including direct funding for income losses exacerbated by construction.
“Lengthy construction projects have wreaked havoc on many of our members,” said the letter. “Reduced accessibility has resulted in decreased foot traffic, leading to lower sales and forcing some businesses to close,” Juli Kwiecinski, director of provincial affairs at CFIB, wrote in the letter. “On behalf of small businesses, we are calling on al municipalities to implement a construction mitigation program for lengthy projects that cause major disruptions.
“This initiative should include direct funding to small businesses for income losses.”
While small businesses are willing to put up with some frustration to reap the rewards of improved transportation infrastructure, Kwiecinski said the challenge is “managing to survive until the project reaches the finish line.
“The glossy project images never show the mess businesses are forced to go through to get there,” she wrote.
According to a 2018 CFIB report, 41 per cent of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses were disrupted by local construction projects between 2012 and 2017. About 65,000 businesses were “significantly affected” by construction and were forced to get loans, relocate or close.
Also in 2018, Montreal became the first municipality in Canada to launch a support program for businesses, offering up to $40,000 assistance. Montreal has recently announced an additional $5,000 grant to businesses with construction disruptions lasting six months or longer. The money will be available from the start of a project without any lost income strings attached.
Puslinch councillors voted to forward the CFIB letter to the county’s economic department for further consideration.