A poll by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has found a majority of small businesses in Canada support lifting most COVID-19 restrictions, but have mixed views on mask rules.
When asked which business restrictions should be eliminated, small business owners said:
Capacity restrictions on all sectors (74 per cent)
Travel restrictions such as PCR tests for crossing the border (69 per cent)
Vaccine passports for customers (66 per cent)
Vaccine mandates for employees (60 per cent)
Business owners are more split on masking requirements – 56 per cent agree they should be eliminated, while 42 per cent disagree.
The online survey was completed by over 34 hundred CFIB members between February 9-14.
“The reintroduction of business restrictions to deal with the Omicron variant was a tough blow for struggling small businesses that set back recovery,” says CFIB president Dan Kelly. “Only 34 per cent of small businesses are making normal levels of sales. And even lifting restrictions does not mean that customers will flood back to their local small firms. Until public health officials and governments can reassure consumers that it is safe to return to office work, shopping, dining, events and travel, the COVID economic hangover will continue for many parts of Canada’s economy.”
