If deconfinement rhymes with the end of government aid for businesses, “it is certain that there will be bankruptcies announced in the coming months or the next few years”, anticipates the boss of the Chamber of commerce and industry. of Quebec (CCIQ).
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“There were far fewer bankruptcies in 2020-2021 [qu’en temps normal]statistics show […]. Government aid has been good for companies that were doing well, which had difficulties, but for those who were already doing badly, it allowed them to survive, ”says Steeve Lavoie, president and CEO of the group of people from ‘business.
“But with the disappearance of government aid, the reopening of the economy, as they say, it will resume its natural thread, so we expect in the next two to three years, whatever the sector, not only at the level catering [qu’] there will be a lot of bankruptcies, businesses that will not reopen,” he said.
“Deadly” pandemic
Among these businesses, some would probably have closed naturally, pandemic or not, but there are others for whom “the pandemic will have been fatal”, believes Mr. Lavoie.
Other family businesses carried at arm’s length by “one, two, three people” could decide to throw in the towel, he also mentions.
Return of workers
Despite these concerns, the Legault government’s announcements on Tuesday were well received by the business association, which welcomes the “predictability” offered by the deconfinement plan.
The end of compulsory telework, scheduled for February 28, is a particularly awaited measure for the revival of commercial arteries.
A Léger survey released at the end of November reported a drop in monthly visits of up to 40% in Old Quebec due to the pandemic.
Even part-time, as recommended by Quebec, the return of workers could have significant repercussions by the end of the year, hopes the CCIQ.
“Even in the hybrid, the impact is enormous”, maintains Steeve Lavoie, who is betting that the workers will tend to concentrate their purchases on the days when they offer their services in person.
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Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com