(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

COVID-19 Support

Chamber welcomes extension of wage subsidy program

Jul 17, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce is responding to the federal government extending the wage subsidy program.

Elise Hildebrandt, CEO of the P.A. chamber said the federal wage subsidy will be helpful for some businesses.

“I am thankful that they did, just because we don’t know what our coming months are going to be [like], but it will definitely allow some of our smaller companies to keep their employees,” she said.

The program covers 75 per cent of wages up to a weekly maximum of $847. A range of organizations qualify for the program including businesses and not for profits.

While the subsidy is appreciated overall, Hildebrandt said she has heard of some businesses that have been left out of it due to their revenues not being down enough to qualify for the support program.

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“There have been some discussions on how some people are falling just a little bit short, we’re supposed to have a 30 per cent reduction in revenue, but maybe we come in at 28.75 per cent,” she said.

Hildebrandt said amid the economic situation created by COVID-19 she has heard about some businesses doing well in regards to sales. She explained businesses selling bicycles have reported doing strong sales along with those selling equipment like all-terrain vehicles.

The chamber CEO said there are also people who are putting money into their homes as they spend more time there and travel is limited.

“Some people, I’ve been hearing they’re going out and getting all the yard work done they’ve always dreamt of,” she said.

Overall Hildebrandt said going forward most people are sitting back to see what could be coming next and how it could affect them and their business.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn