The Official Opposition is calling on the Higgs Government to adjust the criteria for the New Brunswick Small Business Recovery Grant to ensure independent and self-employed small businesses owners are eligible for financial support during level three of the pandemic.

“Since the pandemic began, small businesses have persevered through changing restrictions and have done their part to protect the health of their customers, clients, and employees. Now due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, some businesses are forced to close again.” says the Official Opposition critic for Small Business, Gilles LePage. “While the government has made financial support available, the criteria exclude self-employed business owners like hairdressers, and businesses with less than two staff members. This is unacceptable!”

Compared to other provinces, New Brunswick has provided very little in terms of financial support to businesses, forcing them to depend on Federal Government programs to make ends meet.

“For the most part, the Higgs Government has left New Brunswick businesses to fend for themselves and has completely neglected the independent, self-employed entrepreneurs” says Gilles LePage. “Business owners feel that the Higgs Government has abandoned them. Not only do New Brunswick entrepreneurs deserve more from their government, having such a reputation can hinder our ability to attract new busines.”

Liberal Finance critic Rob McKee would like to see the Province use some of its surplus to support small businesses. “The Premier needs to let go of his obsession with having a large surplus and realize that New Brunswick’s economy depends on the survival of small businesses. We can’t let any fall through the cracks.”