Industry associations and regional chambers of commerce have been playing a behind-the-scenes role in providing clarity for business owners as the province prepares for its second phase of easing public health restrictions.
Some of these associations, like the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, have been involved in communicating essential government programs to members, ranging from business capital to commercial lease rent deferral programs. Others have influenced details of some public health guidelines.
The second phase of the province’s plan to ease restrictions begins May 22 and will allow for the re-opening of some retail outlets and services, such as clothing outlets, hairdressers and barber shops. The businesses will be required to have an operational plan in place to minimize public health risks.
One key outcome of these efforts appears to be a change to a public health rule that would forbid customers from trying on clothing in change rooms as of May 22.
The change came about due to meetings between government, industry representatives and regional chambers of commerce.
Jim Cormier, atlantic director of the Retail Council of Canada, said the change is evidence of the willingness of government to listen to voices from the business community.
Cormier said the retail council quietly took a position opposing the rule against trying on clothing. He said there were measures that could be taken to sanitize clothing and reduce the risk of transmission
"It really wouldn't have been worth their while to even try to reopen if you can't let people try on the product," Cormier told The Guardian.
"You can preserve the integrity of that product and have a better chance of keeping it COVID-free within the confines of the retail store better than if it goes to somebody's home and sits in there for 24 hours and then comes back."
Retailers will still have to prepare an operational plan detailing physical distancing measures, enhanced cleaning and disinfection plans and policies for exclusion of employees requiring self-isolation.
The Retail Council of Canada represents a mix of large and small retailers in P.E.I. Cormier said the pandemic has taken a toll on all retailers that were not classified by as “essential service.”
"If you were a retailer that wasn't on that essential list, you're hurting regardless of whether you're small, mid or large," Cormier said.
Wage top-up
- Essential workers in P.E.I. who make less than $3,000 per month will be eligible for a $1,000 wage top-up
- The program, announced by Finance Minister Darlene Compton on Thursday will provide the one-time wage top-up to employers, who will pass it on to workers. Employers are able to apply for the wage top-up on the Provincial government’s COVID-19 business page
- The program is part of a federal program, announced earlier in April
- “On behalf of all Islanders, I want to thank our essential workers and the important role they are playing,” Compton said in a media conference Thursday
Dawn Binns, president of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, said businesses have been eager to re-open, but most are keeping issues of safety top of mind.
"We're certainly seeing ourselves as a great facilitator of that. Our job is to be the voice of business. And in this instance the voice of business is how do I open, what can I do?" Binns said.
"What we've appreciated is the openness of public health to have that dialogue.”
Binns said the chamber has also taken a role representing businesses that don’t necessarily have their own industry associations, such as gyms or print shops.
"They want to get open but they just want some clarity on how to do this," Binns said.
"The other thing, which we have advocated to the government for, and we're pleased to hear that it's coming, is assistance with those adaptations."
On Thursday, Economic Growth Minister Matthew MacKay announced a new fund that will cover 75 per cent of the cost, up to $2,000, of costs for items like plexi-glass and personal protective equipment for small businesses.
Although industry associations and chambers of commerce appear to be having success in making their voices heard, it is unclear which industry associations are taking a role in the Premier’s Economic Recovery Council. This council, announced in late March, has a role to advise the premier on issues facing businesses in P.E.I.
Binns said she was not in a position to speak directly about the council. Cormier said he has been in close contact with government but has not taken a direct role in the council.
P.E.I.’s economy has taken a serious hit due to the coronavirus-related public health restrictions. Due to closures of businesses, government has estimated 14,000 Islanders have applied for Employment Insurance benefits since the pandemic began.
