Rookie MP Adam Chambers hopes the federal government does everything it can to support businesses as the country begins exiting the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a wide-ranging interview with MidlandToday, the Simcoe North MP discussed the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the need for better regional internet and, of course, the Conservative Party’s upcoming leadership race.
“It should be a positive time for the party,” Chambers said of the Conservative Party race to choose outgoing leader Erin O’Toole’s successor.
Chambers said he hopes everyone in the field takes the time to visit the riding so that local party members get a chance to hear from the candidates.
So far, the field includes former Québec premier Jean Charest, former leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis, Roman Baber and former cabinet minister Pierre Poilievre. Former Simcoe North MPP and provincial party leader Patrick Brown along with several others are said to be considering a run with the new leader selected September 10.
“It’s nice that there will be choice and members will have lots of different opportunities to be engaged and lots of different visions for the country will emerge,” Chambers said.
“I think it's a positive thing for the party that you've got that many people interested.”
As for the Canada Digital Adoption Program launched this week, Chambers said the $4-billion package of grants and loans aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized businesses to expand their online presence comes at an opportune time.
“It’s clear that businesses still need some help,” Chambers said. “We have to make sure that, obviously, all these programs are administered appropriately.
“But as far as resources go for local businesses, it's encouraging that there's some support for businesses to think about how to modernize.”
Under the program launched this week, smaller businesses with at least one employee can apply for a $2,400 “micro-grant” to offset costs such as website development, search engine optimization, subscription fees for e-commerce platforms and social media advertising.
A larger “Boost Your Business Technology” grant worth up to $15,000 will be available to companies with revenue of at least $500,000 and fewer than 500 employees.
In addition to the grant programs, companies can apply for an interest-free loan of up to $100,000 from the Business Development Bank of Canada for digital adoption spending.
Another aspect involves an incentive for businesses to hire young people. The government says it has partnered with Magnet, a not-for-profit organization, to place up to 16,800 students and young Canadians with businesses.
The program involves a wage subsidy to employers of up to $7,300 to retain a post-secondary student or recent post-secondary graduate.
Added Chambers: “I hope that local businesses will take advantage of the support available and explore the program and take advantage of it if it's a fit for them.”
Chambers said that even as things start to open up more, consumer shopping habits have changed over the course of the pandemic, which makes this kind of program all the more important.
“It will take some time for people to get back to doing things the way they used to, and there may be some things that are changed permanently. We need to be helping businesses kind of adapt to that evolution.”
But that also brings Chambers to another point regarding the immediate need to ensure all North Simcoe businesses and residents have reliable access to high-speed internet.
“That is still a major challenge for all governments,” he said, noting governments really need to move quickly to create an equitable playing field for all businesses and not just those from larger centres.
“You'd think that most parts of Simcoe North are 90 minutes from the GTA and we don't have coverage.”
Chambers said he saw the situation firsthand when his brother, who’s an elementary school teacher living in Tiny, had to travel to Chambers’ home in Port McNicoll to get reliable internet when classes were all conducted virtually.
“If a teacher is doing that, how are all the students faring?” Chambers asked. “Some students live further out of town and don't have access to high speed internet. And this is the 21st century.
“It's nice to see the government making investments and things like helping businesses get online, but to me there are some other steps that we also need to take to make sure we're getting connectivity to everybody.”
