Businesses say $10K compensation for blockade losses not enough
CBC
Some business owners along Huron Church Road in Windsor, Ont., say the $10,000 they received in compensation for last winter's Ambassador Bridge blockade doesn't come close to covering the losses they incurred.
When barriers went up blocking access to Fred Bouzide's market, it kept customers away right before Valentine's Day, when he was trying to sell thousands of dollars worth of roses.
He was compensated $10,000 through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario's West Windsor Small Business Relief Fund, but said that doesn't cover the losses.
"I don't think was enough. But how can we get any more?" said Bouzide.
Sixty-five businesses received support totalling $504,856, according a spokesperson for the minister responsible for the fund.
Veterinarian Surinder Khahra usually makes about $50,000 a month in the early winter months. He too only got $10,000.
"So we lost a lot of money during that period and we lost a lot of clients," said Khahra, owner of the Huron Church Animal Hospital.
Khahra said many clients had to go to other vets for their pets, so he can't say how many clients he lost permanently.
He hopes he'll be able to attract more clients as time goes on.
Anti-COVID-19 mandate protesters blocked Huron Church Road and access to the Ambassador Bridge from Feb. 7 to Feb. 13.
But police closed off cross streets and parking lot access points along Huron Church Road from the E.C. Row Expressway to the bridge for several weeks. The barriers came down gradually and eventually everything was open by March 12.
On April 1, the federal government announced the $2.5-million compensation plan for small businesses through FedDev Ontario. Applications were due by May 20. Bouzide said he was surprised there was not more oversight.
"I was surprised that there wasn't more of an investigation of your losses."
Meanwhile, Archie Sarros received $5,000 compensation for his auto service business and was satisfied.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.
The future of a national historic site in Fredericton is up for discussion at meetings across New Brunswick in the next few weeks as the Anglican diocese considers what to do about costly repairs needed at Christ Church Cathedral.
Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.
CBC's road trip series Land of Living Stories explores inspiring stories of community spirit from across Saskatchewan. In our latest visit, CBC-Radio Canada hit the road to La Ronge. This is the fifth of a multi-part series from that community.
Dozens of people filled Regina's Fresh and Sweet cafe on Saturday to paint, collage and craft their concerns about artificial intelligence by making zines — a type of self-published small booklet, typically created by hand.
Wildfire season has officially started in Alberta. As the snow starts to melt, people are starting to wonder: Will I have to evacuate this year?
Two hikers were rescued near Lions Bay, B.C., on Saturday after slipping down steep, treacherous terrain, according to search and rescue personnel.
Members of the Filipino community on P.E.I. came together over the weekend to enjoy basketball at the Eastern P.E.I. Community Navigators’ second annual tournament.
Spring is heralded by the return of geese, but to many in Alberta's poultry industry, migration means something different.
A federal minister has stepped in to temporarily stop the deportation of a Montreal father and son, a last-minute decision the family's lawyer says underscores growing concerns that Canadian authorities are increasingly and abruptly separating the families of recognized refugees.
Residents in the Greater Toronto Area are noticing gas prices continue to soar and this fuel analyst says that’s not stopping anytime soon.
A group of Inuvik youth are learning how to design and print their own apparel.
The federal Conservative Party's campaign manager is shrugging off polls showing the Liberals hold a double-digit lead over the Tories — while Pierre Poilievre says he's broadening his image but won't change who he is.