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By Glenn Hicks

COVID economy

Stability and local support needed: Sask and P.A. chambers respond to throne speech

Sep 25, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The best stimulus is certainty, so if there’s going to be a federal election make it quick: that’s the take from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce following Wednesday’s Liberal government throne speech. Meanwhile, the Prince Albert and District Chamber is again calling on locals to shop local, in-person or online.

“We want now, for a period of time, where there’s not going to be an election threat every single day,” Sask. Chamber CEO Steve McLellan told paNOW in reaction to the broad, huge-spending vision laid out by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which may yet prompt opposition parties to try to topple his minority government. “We want a period of time where people can focus on their businesses and know those supports are going to be there.”

The Conservative Party and Bloc Quebecois appear set to vote against the Liberals in a confidence vote, while the New Democrats have yet to offer clear backing for the Trudeau vision to get the nation through the COVID pandemic and the eventual economic recovery.

McLellan said at a time when Saskatchewan faces provincial and municipal elections in successive months, and given the U.S. presidential election as well, this is not the time for continued uncertainty. He said either there’s a clear sign the existing government in Ottawa stays, or an election needs to happen soon.

We want people to be paid for doing work, not for not doing work _{– Steve McLellan, Sask. Chamber}

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“A federal election would throw us into a time of less decision-making, more people asking for your vote than for your ideas. All that doesn’t move us forward. So, some stability would be good, or if there’s going to be [an election], let’s get it over with so we can hit 2021 on a very smooth tarmac,” he said.

Respect needed for all taxpayers

McLellan agreed with Conservative Party MP for Prince Albert Randy Hoback’s perspective that the Liberal government needed to show more respect to taxpayers for the huge spending decisions being made during the pandemic and likely beyond. But McLellan added he was happy to see elements like the emergency wage subsidy being extended by the government beyond the middle of next year.

“There are only two taxpayers: businesses and individuals, and both have to pay for the recovery period and resilience that will come from that. There has to be more respect for all taxpayers, and I think with a more calm, less political conversation, we’ll find that right balance.

“We want people to be paid for doing work, not for not doing work. But we’re also cognizant we’re at a time when unique structures need to be maintained and we support that,” he said.

He added there was work to be done by the federal government toward “a respect and understanding for the western provinces, but overall he figured the chamber was happy with the speech from the throne.

The speech said nothing about the oil and gas sector and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has also been critical for its lack of clarity on transfer payments for provincial health care.

Think local but adapt to online

Meanwhile, the P.A. and District Chamber has welcomed the expansion of the 75 per cent emergency wage subsidy through the summer of 2021 and the government’s promises to expand emergency loans to businesses.

See if you can buy what you need locally first and go online second _{– Elise Hildebrandt, P.A.Chamber}

“For anyone who is in the business of events and hospitality for example, [the wage subsidy] will be a lifesaver,” CEO Elise Hildebrandt told paNOW, noting such firms are looking at a bleak winter given the restrictions on indoor gatherings. And she wants more small businesses to get access to the loans.

“I know many people took [the loan] and many also took it as a precaution as we head into winter when, after Christmas, things can calm right down,” she said.

Hildebrandt called on Prince Albert and area residents to think of all businesses as the pandemic continues, and not just the mom and pop operations.

“That goes for our chains as well because they employ local people. Also, see if you can buy what you need locally first and go online second, that would be wonderful,” she said.

She emphasized the push towards more local online retailing with non repayable grants available to help businesses create a digital presence.

“Many of our businesses here in our community definitely need to take a look at how they offer more online so we can create those online shopping experiences for people.”

—

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow