Businesses continue to show frustration, concern over viability of N.B. restrictions
With five restaurants, Mike Babineau employs about 145 people. Last week, he says he had to lay off 88 of them.
“And we likely won’t be able to bring them back until we’re fully open again, into Level 1. Because Level 2 has almost the exact same impact as Level 3 does in our industry,” he said in an interview with CTV Atlantic.
He says he’s trying to help his employees the best he can, but adds almost two years of pandemic restrictions have taken a toll.
In a letter to Premier Blaine Higgs, Babineau said the restaurant industry has been “beaten down” and in some cases “pushed to the brink of bankruptcy.” He says he has had to remortgage some of his properties.
Since entering Level 3 of the province's COVID-19 Winter Plan last Friday night, spas, gyms, salons and restaurants have had to close their doors.
Opportunities NB is offering a Small Business Recovery Grant, where eligible businesses can receive a one-time payment of up to $10,000, but Babineau says it’s not enough.
“It doesn’t even help cover the losses since we’ve been in Level 2, let alone the losses we’re incurring under Level 3 now. And including the losses we’re going to continue to have in Level 2 when we reopen Jan. 31 – if we actually open,” he said.
Level 2 under the province’s plan allows restaurants to open at 50 per cent capacity.
Higgs said Friday that most have complied with the restrictions, despite being frustrated. He says he recognizes how hard it has been, but health care has to take priority.
“Over this next week, we’re looking at all aspects, working with public health, looking at the rational of what we’re seeing right now – and working with businesses to understand how do we continue to put a program forward so people can see timelines in which we can steadily get our businesses to fully open,” he said. “We’re just not able to put a timeline forward right now.”
Babineau agrees the province should be focused on fixing the health-care system, but says it should also allow businesses, like his, to reopen safely so they can recover.
“It’s definitely something that’s going to take us many, many years to climb out of,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.

Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4 per cent approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
First case of rare monkeypox in the U.S. was someone who recently travelled to Canada
A rare case of monkeypox has been confirmed in a man in Massachusetts who recently travelled to Canada, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Prince Charles and Camilla wrap up Canada visit in Northwest Territories
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are spending the final day of the royal visit in Canada's North.
Four things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation
With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.
Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial
Crown prosecutors want Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich sent back to jail to await trial, claiming she breached her bail conditions by agreeing to participate in an event next month where she will receive a 'Freedom Award.'
Inflation could put more Canadians at risk of going hungry, experts say
Experts and advocates anticipate that more Canadians could be at risk of going hungry as inflation continues to outpace many consumers' grocery budgets.
Red Cross registers Mariupol POWs as hundreds more surrender
Hundreds more fighters have emerged from the Mariupol stronghold where they made their last stand and surrendered, Russia said Thursday, and the Red Cross worked to register them as prisoners of war, as the end of a key battle in the conflict drew closer.
Trudeau says Ottawa watching Quebec's proposed changes to language law 'carefully'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is watching 'carefully' how Quebec's Bill 96 is playing out provincially and respects the freedom of members of Parliament to protest it.