Downtown Toronto business owners, associations call on federal parties for more help
CBC
Downtown business owners and associations are questioning why federal election candidates aren't promising more support for establishments in Toronto's core, many of which are still struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the federal campaign coming to an end and election day set for Monday, some are wondering what a new government will mean for businesses in downtown Toronto — and if there will be focused efforts to revitalize the area and support local firms through recovery.
Ken Kelly, project manager of the International Downtown Association, says the downtown core is the barometer of a city's economic, cultural and social well-being.
"Every community has got so much wrapped up on its main street in its downtown," Kelly said. "For that reason, we need our elected officials to be paying more attention to how the issues identified in the election tie so directly to our downtown."
Kelly said he was surprised he has not heard much about downtown recovery during the campaign, adding that he would like to see the next federal government work closer with local businesses to ensure downtown Toronto bounces back.
The kitchen at Thai restaurant Salad King is still slower than usual, despite a return to classes in person, managing director Alan Liu told CBC Toronto.
The restaurant, steps away from Ryerson University on Yonge Street, has been hit hard by the pandemic. Liu said about 75 per cent of the restaurant's customers are students, office workers and people visiting the core area.