Hard-hit hospitality sector unlikely to recoup COVID-19 losses : Halifax Chamber of Commerce CEO
However, Patrick Sullivan said it would be a mistake to rush the reopening of businesses
May 1, 2020 2:10 PM By: Meghan Groff
As closures related to COVID-19 stretch on in Nova Scotia, the CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce said many local businesses continue to suffer.
Patrick Sullivan said, although 65 per cent of businesses are still operating, the hospitality sector has been hit hard.
He estimates around 16 million dollars could have disappeared from our local economy from restaurants alone.
"And we are very dependant on tourism, it contributes 2 billion dollars to our economy in Nova Scotia," he told NEWS 95.7's The Rick Howe Show. "So there's a lot of money that's going to be taken away from businesses and taken away from the economy."
He said some government programs have helped to ease the pain for some businesses.
"Particularly the federal government. They came out initially with a 10 per cent wage subsidy which we immediately said is just simply not going to work, then we saw a 75 per cent wage subsidy,"
Sullivan explained. "Now many restaurants and those sorts of businesses had already laid-off employees, but for other businesses, this will certainly help."
Sullivan said, despite the financial pinch, it would be a mistake to rush the reopening of businesses.
"We don't want to do this twice, we want to do this once," he said. "As painful as it is, I think everyone would rather see an end or a significant reduction in COVID cases in Nova Scotia before we start to reopen because there's that trust factor."
"People want to feel confident about going out to restaurants and until we see that significant decline, they're not going to have that confidence."
When the day comes where restaurants will be allowed to reopen, Sullivan expects it will be a different environment than we had before COVID-19's arrival.
"It's unlikely restaurants will be able to reopen to the extent they were open before, in terms of the number of tables, the proximity of customers," he added. "There will likely be some social distancing still required and we're unlikely to have large events."
https://www.halifaxtoday.ca/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/hard-hit-hospitality-sector-unlikely-to-recoup-covid-19-losses-halifax-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-2316416
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Hard-hit hospitality sector unlikely to recoup COVID-19 losses : Halifax Chamber of Commerce CEO
Friday, May 1, 2020
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Business Truth & Reconciliation
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
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