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Midland asking province to ease lockdown restrictions for small businesses

'In sending the information to the Premier and MPP, if we can change their mind, I'm all for it,' says councillor, 'otherwise I think we have to respect what Dr. (Charles) Gardner has on the table'
2021-03-04-Small-Business-Letter
Council passed a motion to approach the province and health unit to reconsider allowing small businesses to open.

Midland council extended its support for local businesses by passing a motion to send an official letter to the premier, local MPPs and the health unit asking for flexibility for local shopping to open up.

"What I have here is something that has grown out of lots of council commentary in terms of feedback they're getting from the community with respect to some small businesses not being able to open under the lockdown," said Mayor Stewart Strathearn introducing the motion at this week's council meeting.

The letter being sent to all those responsible in deciding what framework a region will follow, he said, expressly asks that the province broaden the criteria to allow small businesses to operate as long as they can demonstrate they can operate within the framework.

This motion was seconded by Coun. Cody Oschefski, who then read from a Midland Downtown BIA letter addressing Premier Doug Ford, MPP Jill Dunlop, and Dr. Charles Gardner, chief medical officer for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The letter was sent to all council members.

"I think it's very important we stand together for our small business," said the Ward 2 councillor.

"If all retail environments are able to remain open with reduced capacity, there seems little reason why other small businesses, particularly in the personal service industry cannot remain open with the same protective measures in place," read the letter signed by Scott Campbell, chair of the Downtown Midland BIA board. "Your swift action can help save a number of small businesses in Midland, and the rest of the Simcoe Muskoka region."

Because of the lockdown decision that came a mere two weeks after allowing businesses to re-open, he goes on, many businesses now face cash-flow deficits and financial losses after restocking their inventories, bringing back staff and investing massive amounts into increased compliance of health and safety regulations.

The letter ends with a request to revise the restrictions in the province's grey zone framework to allow small businesses that have been operating under strict health and safety requirements to reopen.

All members expressed support for council's move.

"I support the letter to the premier and the MPP," said Coun. Jim Downer. "I know what these people are going through. I was a small business owner on the main street. I can appreciate where they're coming from, but we must respect the rule of law. In sending the information to the premier and MPP, if we can change their mind, I'm all for it, otherwise I think we have to respect what Dr. Gardner has on the table."

Coun. Carole McGinn echoed a similar sentiment.

"I support the letter," she said. "I support peaceful protests. I support people who are afraid and I want to uplift them and I want to help them. There are challenges out there, but how are you going to support local? I hear you. I feel you. We're here and this is the layer of government that advocates for you and is your voice."

Coun. Jon Main added that there's also need for expediting compensation that is available.

"This is a very difficult time and I know some people are affected disproportionately," he said. "If we are going to continue in a lockdown, and have the trade off of livelihoods versus lives, we have to continue to have compensation. The request would be to expedite the grants to enhance funding for those affected businesses."

Coun. Bill Gordon reminded everyone that they had the right to express their frustration, but to do so peacefully.

"This is unprecedented," he said. "It pains me to have to tell people that the rules and laws are what they are and we do not, as a municipality, have any direct input into the health unit declarations or what the province decides to do.

"I want to temper this with the reality that we can't call off the hounds. We can't direct our OPP partners to look the other way. We can't ask our bylaw officers to not do their duty and enforce laws and rules that are in place. They have to because it's their duty."

Strathearn agreed that there were two sides of the coin.

"People in the community have heard that council is behind them," he said. "I think it's very important to point out the role of Dr. Gardner. His role is to provide scientific advice but he's also responsible for ensuring the health of the district and monitoring the situation and ensuring that this virus doesn't get out of control.

"We need to look no further than Roberta Place to understand how contagious this is," added Strathearn.

Council is very supportive of small businesses in the community, he said, adding let's give the premier a chance to hear our voice.

"This is the way you get things done," said Strathearn. "Civil disobedience, take a look at what happened in Washington on Jan. 6, you don't want to do that. Peaceful protest is great, but don't go and break the law. It's just a road you don't want to go down."

The motion to send a letter of support to the premier, MPPs Dunlop, Andrea Khanjin and Doug Downey along with Gardner was passed unanimously.