Biz leaders thankful for tax deferrals, ask for more help amid wildfire losses
'That's fantastic,' said Kory Eastman, president of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce, which has 100 members in the evacuated northern city and neighbouring Saskatchewan communities of Creighton and Denare Beach. 'Any kind of assistance is positive.'
He expressed gratitude to Premier Wab Kinew for showing up Thursday to witness the damage caused by a massive blaze and talk to firefighters.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
On Thursday, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced optional deferrals of the retail sales tax and payroll tax to help businesses affected by the unprecedented emergency that has forced 21,000 Manitobans to flee 27 communities.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced optional deferrals of the retail sales tax and payroll tax to help businesses affected by the unprecedented emergency that has forced 21,000 Manitobans to flee 27 communities.
'We haven't seen any matching communication from the Saskatchewan side,' said Eastman who is staying in Edmonton. 'It'd be nice to see that as well,' said the chamber president, who is manager of the Flin Flon Credit Union.
'We've been able to re-establish services working remotely which been has been a challenge but obviously you know we're there for our members and for our customers.'
He said he appreciated Premier Wab Kinew flying to Flin Flon on Thursday to see firsthand the empty streets and businesses shuttered by the wildfire. 'He got to kind of see what's happening on the ground there.'
Eastman said he hopes Kinew's visit might prompt more provincial support for businesses.
'Maybe with a little more understanding, we'll see even more movement and support from the government, but I can't complain. They've been good so far with our area, I believe,' he said.
'Comparing to the other side of the border, (Saskatchewan Premier) Scott Moe has not been been there, and Denare Beach was devastated as a community, losing 300 properties,' said Eastman, noting Moe sent provincial officials to view the fire-ravaged community.
He said he spoke to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Friday about its discussion with the government for supports for members that are under evacuation.
'Tax holidays are not something they often can give out, but we're pleased with any kind of progress, and still we'll hopefully keep the communication open,' Eastman said.
A spokesman for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the tax deferrals are 'helpful first steps' to deal with evacuations, lost revenue and supply delays.
Seasonal businesses and those in northern and rural communities will need more help as the wildfire situation unfolds, spokesman Tyler Slobogian said Friday.
The CFIB wrote to the finance minister June 2 in which it asked him to consider emergency grants, broader tax flexibility, and expanding Disaster Financial Assistance eligibility for small businesses.
It hasn't received a response, the spokesman said.
They're also hoping for an extension or expansion of similar sales and payroll tax deferrals available from February till July that were announced by the province in March in response to U.S. tariffs, he said.
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'CFIB members are being squeezed by rising input costs, supply chain instability, and additional labour challenges,' Slobogian said. 'Additional relief such as financial support for impacted industries, or permanent targeted tax reductions, would help offset these costs,' he said.
'The dual pressure of wildfire disruption and trade uncertainty is putting serious strain on Manitoba's small business community. Confidence has taken a large hit.'
The CFIB's 'business barometer' shows a 6.5-point drop in Manitoba's long-term outlook, which is now the lowest in Canada, Slobogian said.
'This marks a new low, even beneath the confidence levels we saw during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.'
carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Carol SandersLegislature reporter
Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol.
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