B.C.'s public safety minister Mike Farnworth (left), federal finance minister Bill Morneau (centre) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right), who all made major announcements on Wednesday. (The Canadian Press)

By Spencer Sterritt

politicking

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce dismayed at communication gaps in gov’t response to COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020 | 7:11 AM

NANAIMO — The province’s announcement ministers will reconvene on Monday, March 23 to pass legislation about the economic impacts of COVID-19 did not sit well with some at the frontlines.

“Waiting until Monday is not an answer today,” Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Kim Smythe told NanaimoNewsNOW. “People are trying to figure this out by the hour, not having any direction, any way of sorting out what their future is going to be.”

Public safety minister Mike Farnworth announced on Wednesday the B.C. government would reconvene on Monday, for what’s expected to be a half-day session, to amend the Employment Standards Act.

One day earlier, both premier John Horgan and finance minister Carole James indicated Farnworth would elaborate with further details about the amendments during his Wednesday news conference.

He didn’t, only saying he expected finance minister James to be making further announcements about the amendments.

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“This is not what we want to hear right now,” Smythe said. “It’s probably the worst time in history for government to go into bureaucratic speak. After the speeches are done, we need data very, very quickly to fill in the blanks on the aids and supports to businesses and employees.”

Smythe said there’s also several key questions which need to be answered by the federal government’s announcement of a $82 billion aid package, which includes relief for those forced to self-isolate and part-time workers temporarily laid off.

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is joining other Chamber of Commerces around B.C. to develop informational campaigns, telling business owners what they need to know about when, where and how to apply for funding, the eligibility requirements and how to ensure staff can effectively work from home.

“There’s so much information that needs to be communicated now. We’re happy to do that and we have the broad network to do it, but we need government to be more forthcoming.”

Smythe said there’s concern, unease and uncertainty swirling among Nanaimo businesses, many of which have closed, but he’s also seen resilience and even optimism.

“There’s some real good spirit out there, to say ‘We can get through this, we’re going to do what we need to do and we’re going to keep business alive in Nanaimo.'”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit