Nunavut business owners have withstood another Covid-19 lockdown but nearly two years of pandemic disruptions has left them reeling, says Clarence Synard, president of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce.

SA国际影视传媒淚 certainly hope that we can see the end of this pandemic come sooner rather than later because itSA国际影视传媒檚 certainly taken a toll on all aspects of individuals and businesses,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 just worry about Covid fatigue and how much more people and businesses can handle.SA国际影视传媒�

The forced closure of businesses during Covid outbreaks has cost owners a great deal of revenue, and Synard is sure some are using money out of their own pockets to keep ventures afloat.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really, really tough. The financial and mental strain on these business owners is tremendous,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 can imagine those who are suffering in silence and itSA国际影视传媒檚 got to be scary times.SA国际影视传媒�

But he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 want business owners to feel that they are alone. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 encouraging them to contact the chamber of commerce, even if theySA国际影视传媒檙e not members.

SA国际影视传媒淲e at the chamber encourage all businesses that are having struggles and issues to reach out to us and weSA国际影视传媒檒l see what we can do on their behalf. Sometimes I find when weSA国际影视传媒檙e going in with a unified voice from the chamber of commerce SA国际影视传媒� we seem to get more response from it,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that the Baffin chamber has been working with its counterparts in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.

The Government of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Department of Economic Development announced a fourth round of Small Business Support Program funding earlier this month. The initiative provides grants of up to $5,000.

Synard said he appreciates the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 aid and putting small businesses SA国际影视传媒渇irst in lineSA国际影视传媒� for financial assistance makes sense because they often have the smallest reserves.

However, the $5,000 limit SA国际影视传媒渋s much lower than what businesses need at this time,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He credited the Department of Economic Development for being accommodating by setting up weekly calls since last April to get a better understanding of business challenges and to answer urgent questions, particularly relating to the pandemic.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been very productive so far,SA国际影视传媒� said Synard. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檝e certainly been committed to hearing our concerns.SA国际影视传媒�

At the federal level, wage and rent subsidies are still available. ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program and the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program. The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit are available for employees in need.

Yet not all businesses qualify for federal support programs and others cannot afford to take on the additional debt because some of the federal benefits must be repaid, Synard noted. In addition, he questioned OttawaSA国际影视传媒檚 understanding of logistical hurdles and the shortage of specialized labour that Nunavut businesses face.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think on the federal level that thatSA国际影视传媒檚 always recognized,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He predicted that recovery for the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 hard-hit tourism industry may take years and that widespread supply chain issues will likely persist throughout 2022, meaning that some critical goods and supplies will be unavailable.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e looking at items now that, even if we were ordered today which people are nervous to make those orders, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no guarantee that theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to be able to make the 2022 sealift because of procurement time,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

At least the easing of public health restrictions announced on Jan. 13 SA国际影视传媒渙ffered some hopeSA国际影视传媒� to business owners, said Synard.

SA国际影视传媒淢any businesses are happy to have the ability to reopen their doors, to be able to travel within the territory and this does help in many different sectors,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson submitted a lengthy list of pre-budget recommendations to the federal government last year to bring relief to businesses, among improvements to many other aspects of life in the territory.

SA国际影视传媒淲e also are aware that, not just in Nunavut but throughout all of Canada, businesses are struggling with the constant cycle of lockdowns and slow reopenings. Artists and gig workers are also suffering,SA国际影视传媒� Patterson stated. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot that must be done to support Nunavummiut as Covid continues to devastate the economy and even more will be required to help restart the economy once we can safely get back to SA国际影视传媒榥ormal.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

There was no reply to questions Nunavut News sent to Nunavut MP Lori Idlout on the topic of Covid-related challenges facing businesses.

The Department of Economic Development was unable provide additional detail on the overall amount allotted through the Small Business Support Program by press time.