OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada doubles down on its calls to the NDP-backed Liberal government to urgently extend the CEBA loan repayment deadline. We stand in solidarity with the thousands of small businesses facing the imminent threat of closure as they navigate the impending deadline to repay pandemic relief loans designed to ensure their survival.
Local businesses, the backbone of our communities, have shouldered the burden of prolonged closures and restrictions during the pandemic while large retailers continued operations. The extended duration of restrictions necessitates a compassionate response from the federal government. As we did repeatedly throughout the Fall, we urge the government to extend the repayment deadline for the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans, a crucial economic lifeline for over 250,000 small businesses across the country.
The Green Party recognizes that the world has changed since the initial design of the CEBA loan, and business owners face challenges due to inflation and ongoing operational impacts.
We call on the federal government to consider the well-being of our communities and the vibrancy of our economy. These businesses going bankrupt or falling prey to predatory lenders will not benefit anyone. We urge a compassionate response, understanding the unique challenges faced by small businesses, and working towards policies that foster their survival and growth.
For more information, please read our statement from August 2023 on the same topic and MP Mike Morrice’s letter to Ministers Freeland and Valdez, also sent in August.
CEBA was also mentioned in Elizabeth’s May’s response to the fall economic statement https://elizabethmaymp.ca/27540-2/