(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

data validates concerns, chamber says

Chamber survey shows businesses worry they won’t survive restrictions

Feb 10, 2021 | 12:46 PM

Results from a survey done by the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce show one in five businesses (20%) surveyed worry they won’t survive the public health restrictions in place over COVID-19.

The chamber says their survey also revealed 56 per cent of businesses report having substantially less revenue and 41 per cent have had to make layoffs due to COVID.

“This data validates our message that all business are essential and the urgency of permanently re-opening our economy,” said Chamber CEO Rick More. “Despite the demonstrated success businesses have had in safely operating and limiting transmission risk they remained partially or fully shuttered due to government decree and without adequate supports.”

Only 17 per cent of survey respondents fully support the current restrictions, the chamber says, and only 3.5 per cent would not be comfortable visiting places of business upon re-openings.

“To make matters worse, 30 per cent say government supports have not been adequate” said More, noting that 76 per cent of respondents have utilized the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, 56 per cent have used the Canada Emergency Business Account and 30 per cent have tapped into the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy.

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“This is a scary reality as businesses are frustrated, bills are piling up and there is limited data to support these measures. We’re approaching a breaking point of even more layoffs, massive unemployment and permanent closures,” commented More.

The chamber says its survey data shows that once the restrictions are lifted it will be months or even years before most businesses recover to pre-COVID levels of activity, noting that 17 per cent of respondents expected their business to contract over the next 12 months, 55 per cent predicted it to stay about the same and 28 per cent predicted their business to grow.