COVID-19 relief grants fall short in Northern BC

Restrictions were originally put in place on October 14, extended November 18th, and extended once again in early December until January 31.

These regional restrictions have challenged businesses in Northern BC more than other areas of the province like the Lower Mainland.

“We need to be cautious, we need to be careful, but I believe there’s more that government can be doing,” said Shirley Bond, Leader of the Official Opposition.

When asked by CKPG News on Thursday if more supports were coming to businesses in Northern BC, Kahlon said none should be necessary citing only a slight restriction on restaurants for last call.

“The restrictions on Northern Health were in particular just for restaurants, limiting them serving alcohol past ten-o-clock,” said Kahlon. “That was the only restriction in the north.”

Kahlon said the funding announcement made on Thursday is only for businesses forced to be closed due to health measures.

There is no support coming for businesses that continue to be impacted by regional orders in Northern BC.

Regional restrictions put in place by Northern Health stretch far further than just a limit on the last call for alcohol, which has cost restaurants thousands of dollars.

Indoor gathering limits and sporting capacity limits have not been lifted in the north similar to other parts of the province.

Bars and nightclubs that don’t serve food in Northern BC were ordered closed back in October, those same establishments just ordered to close this week in Vancouver Coastal, and Fraser Health.

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, and Leader of the Official Opposition has been calling for support for months, as has the CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce Todd Corrigall.

by Caden Fanshaw

COVID-19 relief grants fall short in Northern BC

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