New COVID-19 Restrictions May Be the “Last Nail in the Coffin” for Alberta Businesses | The Canadian News

As Alberta businesses tighten up once again, a Canadian business group has warned that some may not survive for much longer.

“It comes at a terrible time. This is the holiday season, many places and restaurants already have events and parties booked, ”said Kathleen Cook of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

“For some companies, without a doubt, it is the last nail in the coffin.”

On Tuesday, the Alberta government announced more stringent restrictions on the hotel sector. Businesses that comply with the Restrictions Waiver Program that serve food will have a limit of 10 people per table and service of alcoholic beverages must end at 11 pm. M., followed by the closing of restaurants, pubs and bars at 12:30 a.m. M.

The CFIB He said despite recently announced federal support measures, it is definitely taking its toll.

“Many companies incurred significant debt just to overcome the pandemic. They are dealing with inflation, labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, so at a time when all of their costs are increasing, they now have to take a hit on their revenue, “Cook added.

“Some companies will not be able to bear that.”

The Portuguese Society of Calgary It is one of the businesses affected by the new provincial restrictions.

The nonprofit had planned a New Years celebration for its members, but now those plans have been canceled, just days before the event.

The society’s vice president, Stephanie Rodrigues, said it just didn’t make sense to stay open when they would have to close shortly after ringing in the New Year.

“I don’t want to take the risk,” he told Global News. “I don’t want to kick everyone out at 12:30. We can’t clean this place in half an hour. “

The annual event was also canceled last year, but this year there were high hopes that the 50th anniversary of the partnership would be celebrated.

Rodrigues said this is another big loss in addition to other losses due to the pandemic of the past two years.

“Members don’t come here anymore. You only see the regulars, the older folks in the morning, ”he said.

“Saturday nights you also see a big drop.

“We are lucky if we have maybe 10 people here.”

Rodrigues said that the current board will resign at the end of his term and that he does not know who will take over. However, he added, whoever takes over, has a great challenge ahead of him and hopes that the club can survive.

“I hope so. This is the only Portuguese members house that we have left (in Calgary) where they can speak their language, eat their traditional meals, ”he said.

“But can I see it go through another pandemic year? They will fight. “

The CFIB called the current expansion of federal support programs “a great improvement, but not perfect.”

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce said the expansion of the Local Lockdown Program means more stability for businesses amid circuit breaker measures.

He noted that more than 70 percent of companies have accessed these supports and will continue to advocate for more aid in the future.

Related news