Election 2021: Candidate views on post-pandemic small business recovery in Nanaimo-Ladysmith

Lisa Marie Barron (NDP): The pandemic has had a devastating effect on workers and small businesses – here and right across the country. Which is why we fought so hard and succeeded in forcing Justin Trudeau to increase assistance to small businesses, helping them make it through and helping keep their workers employed.

But the question of how we move forward with pandemic recovery should serve to reinforce that under successive Conservative and Liberal governments, our country is stuck in an economy that just isn’t working for people. The ultra-rich made $78 billion in excess profits during the pandemic. That’s right – they profited on the pandemic while the rest of us struggled through. And Justin Trudeau and Erin O’Toole protected their profits by voting against Jagmeet Singh’s motion to apply a 1% tax on the ultra-rich – instead they want to make small businesses and average families pay the cost of our economic recovery.

We need to move to an economy that works for everyone – and we need to do it now.

Michelle Corfield (LIB): As a lifetime resident of Nanaimo, I have represented Nanaimo on numerous boards that directly benefit Nanaimo–Ladysmith’s residents. I will continue to advocate for sustainable economic growth in industries residents work in and ensure that Nanaimo is a vital economic hub for Vancouver Island. Nanaimo-Ladysmith residents require capital infrastructure and green technology to benefit our communities directly and ensure monies invested in staying in our region. This keeps money in the pockets of residents and ensures that they can continue to live in our region.

Tamara Kronis (CON): Over the course of the pandemic, millions of Canadians lost their jobs. The tourism and hospitality sectors were among the hardest hit, as well as part-time and temporary workers.

We will help rebuild Main Streets across Canada and give small businesses get back on their feet by:

– Launching the Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit – This will provide a 25 per cent tax credit on amounts of up to $100,000 that Canadians personally invest in a small business over the next two years.
– Launching the Main Street Business Loan to provide loans of up to $200,000
– The Canada Investment Accelerator refundable tax credit for small business will provide a five per cent investment tax credit for any capital investment made in 2022 and 2023.
– Reform the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to ensure that its loan programs are accessible to small businesses.
– Double the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit for the next three years to help create more places for apprentices.
– Invest $250 million over two years to create the Canada Job Training Fund to help laid-off workers, underrepresented groups, help tourism and hospitality workers, small business, and skilled workers.

(i) Paul Manly (GRN): When the pandemic first hit, I immediately began contacting government ministers to raise issues and identify gaps in support programs that I was hearing from our community. I wrote numerous letters to government ministers with specific examples from Nanaimo-Ladysmith. I spoke in the House of Commons, released statements and held press conferences. My work directly contributed to making COVID supports better and more accessible, like increasing the wage subsidy amount for businesses.

Constituents and local organizations told me what they needed and I championed solutions in Ottawa. I fought for people who needed help, like seniors, persons with disabilities, and students. I advocated for workers, businesses, and organizations who were at risk of falling through the cracks. I flagged gaps affecting small businesses, startups, charities, hard-hit sectors like tourism, part-time and seasonal workers, and people working in the gig economy.

Local businesses and the hardest-hit sectors need continued support as we recover from the pandemic. I will continue advocating on their behalf, as I have been since the beginning. I will also continue pushing for a transition to a green economy in our pandemic recovery, to create more jobs and a safe and secure future.

Stephen Welton (PPC): The small businesses and hospitality workers of Nanaimo-Ladysmith don’t need the federal government to hand them money to thrive. They need their freedom to work and do business. The only reason they would need money from the government is if the government destroys their business through unwarranted requirements and elimination of a large percentage of their clientele who do not have or will not show passports. However, that said, the PPC will work to improve the supply chain by deconstructing the dairy, poultry and egg cartels, making these key foodstuffs more affordable.

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NanaimoNewsNOW is permitting candidates to edit their responses up to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021.

For full election coverage, visit our Federal Election 2021 page.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Election 2021: Candidate views on post-pandemic small business recovery in Nanaimo-Ladysmith

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