Businesses in Alberta that started in 2020 have been excluded from any economic support by the provincial government. They have been planning to open for months, and sometimes years, investing much of their life savings. The UCP has voiced its support for entrepreneurs, claiming that this party is the one that supports small businesses, and yet a large segment of the population has been left out.

Currently, to be eligible for financial support from both federal and provincial support for COVID-19, you need to show that your revenue has decreased. You must show a reduction in revenue of at least 30% in April and/or May 2020 in comparison to April 2019, May 2019 or February 2020 as a result of COVID-19 public health orders.

Sadly, businesses that opened during 2020 will not have any of these comparables.

This petition has been created to make the UCP act now. They have acknowledged a shortfall and that new businesses were neglected. We need to make sure that the UCP can include these businesses left behind in this round of funding for the small business relaunch grants. The federal government needs to broaden the wage subsidy and CEBA to new businesses as well. If we do not ask them to act now, it could be until spring or summer of 2021 until support arrives. We cannot let new businesses fight COVID-19 alone.

I created this petition as a new business owner. I opened a small coffee shop and roastery in Edmonton and have been extremely frustrated with how the pandemic has been handled.  I have been planning on opening since May 2019. I have spent hours talking to government officials, trying to see what I am eligible for. Please help us. Let us tell the UCP that we will not let new businesses front the cost of COVID-19 alone.