The Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is encouraging Airdrie businesses to take part in a Relaunch Pulse Survey on their website.
The 18-question survey is designed to collect insights and inform government to help business mitigate impacts of COVID-19 and low oil prices, as well as to reopen and operate safely.
“Your feedback will help policy makers understand the most pressing issues your business is experiencing and what measures can be enacted to provide support and relief,” according to the ACC website.
The survey asks business owners to estimate the economic impact of COVID-19 on their business, if their business has had to close due to the pandemic and whether the affordability and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitation materials has been a barrier to reopening.
Other questions include whether recalled employees have refused to come back to work and how likely is it that their business will continue operating after the COVID-19 pandemic is over?
The survey goes on to ask what financial assistance business owners have reached out for.
Perhaps the most relevant question is “which are the top three government priorities or additional measures that would help your business remain viable over the next three months?”
Answers include:
- Ensure that logistics and supply chains continue to function
- Reduce municipal taxes
- Make it easier to apply for working capital loans
- Reduce time to receive temporary wage subsidies
- Provide sector-specific supports for industries particularly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions
- Further defer tax remittances
- Make personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitation materials available for businesses planning to reopen
- Reduce the burdens of lump sum payments for deferred rent, utilities, and credit
- Make operating grants available
- Reduce corporate income taxes
- Provide commercial rent assistance
- Reduce utility costs
- Make forgivable or interest-free loans available
The ACC network is collaborating with Economic Developers Alberta and Community Futures Alberta for the survey.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and will close on May 22. To take the survey, click here.
