Listen Live
Listen Live

PG Chamber lobbying for federal wage and rent subsidies extension

Small businesses in Prince George are still struggling despite the fact BC is well into Step 3 of its restart plan.

To mitigate some of the challenges, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is lobbying Ottawa to extend the Emergency Wage and Rent subsidies until at least November.

PG Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Corrigall | Courtesy PG Chamber

However, PG Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Corrigall would like that stretched out a little bit further.

“We need to extend this for the remainder of 2021 so that we have a full or a more full picture of what we are looking at and we can go through the holiday season and understand what shopping patterns look like and what local engagement with business looks like.”

To put it mildly, the majority of local businesses are still struggling to get by even with the provincial economy as open as it is.

“What we have seen particularly in several different verticles is that just because things open up does not mean that revenues and staffing return so the expansion and extension of those would be welcome.”

When asked if this has anything to do with businesses having trouble recalling workers due to previous provincial restrictions or employees finding greener pastures – Corrigall admitted it’s likely a little of both.

“We have heard a lot of hypothetical stories through this process. Some of them being that they do not want to return to the office, they strictly want to work from home while some people have left the province or specific cities to return to maybe where they have family in other parts of the country.”

The wage and rent subsidies are expected to run out on September 26th.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

New-look Cougars sink their teeth into Portland

The Cougars find themselves off for the next 12 days before heading to Spokane for a two-game set against the Chiefs October 3rd and 4th.

Three workshops coming to Prince George for Alzheimer caregivers

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will be hosting free workshops in Prince George next week.

Cops for Cancer Tour de North raises $245,000 for childhood cancer research

Emergency service crews that took part in this year's Cops for Cancer Tour de North wrapped up their seven day ride on Thursday in Prince Rupert.

Zach’s Sports Shorts; Saturday, September 20th

The regular season officially kicked off for the Prince George Cougars yesterday (Friday) after a 6-1 victory over the Portland Winterhawks at home.

New faces shine for Cougars in season opener

That's starting the season with a bang.The Prince George Cougars opened their season with a 6-1 win over the Portland Winterhawks in front of 4,252 fans at the CN Centre.
- Advertisement -