Advocacy: Local Response to Inequities for Hospitality & Small Businesses

The hospitality industry and independent retail businesses have shown constant pivoting resilience. We must do everything possible to protect our economy, while at the same time balancing the interests of public health and safety.

We and other levels of government must make decisions that are not easy. These business owners affected by current policy are our neighbours and have called on us all to reconcile antiquated laws, work with an industry that wants to be part of a solution and deliver on the surgical approach to keep our community safe.

The outlook is dismal at best: insurance companies and food delivery apps are gouging restaurants, the LCBO policies currently relaxed still do little to address issues of wholesale pricing to restaurants, and capricious occupancy caps are called inequitable.

It is important to recognize the funding programs that have been leveraged – CEBA, Emergency Wage Subsidy, CERB, Business Credit Availability Program and other local initiatives such as Burlington’s Safe Restart Program.

We recognize that broad provincial public health policies are important, but so is the local lens.

The culmination of inequities resulting from Ontario Regulation 82/20 (Stage 1) compounded with trickling supports has the potential to drastically change the fabric of our community.  Petitions are circulating to save hospitality workers from certain poverty. Restaurants Canada reports that 800,000 foodservice jobs have already been lost to the pandemic and some restaurants have been forced to permanently close their doors. Even after a reported $750M+ invested by Ontario restaurants to keep customers and staff safe.

The advocacy Regional Council unanimously supported calls for local efforts to offer a safe consumer and employee experience so that businesses can remain open and viable while recognizing the unique makeup of local communities.

Read the Halton Region Council Motion here.