PRINCE GEORGE — The Covid-19 pandemic has made it hard for the Prince George Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara to operate, due to financial needs not being met.
This comes, as B.C’s provincial health officer has ordered all services at the Gurudwara be suspended.
“People are not coming, no donations, so how are we going to pay the bills,” says Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara secretary, Pal Bassi.
Bassi says the B.C government is not being fair, and needs to do more for non-profit organizations.
“My concern is that restaurants are open, and Walmart, Costco, Pine Centre, everything is open. I’ve seen so many people sitting at Pine Centre, with five to six people at each table,” says Bassi
But Bassi adds, if all of that is taking place, then there should be no restrictions on non-profit organizations.
This comes, as non -profit organizations are having to cross more hurdles than businesses, as support from the government is not provided.
“Why is the [government] too hard on non-profitable organizations, we depend on donations . . . we got a $9000 or $8000 dollar per month cost right, they should give us any benefit too,” says Bassi.
Bassi adds that the government is looking for a payroll of $45,000 in order to apply for a benefit.
Donations to the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, can be made online at gurunanakdarbarpg.com
Despite the hardships being faced, the Gurudwara still delivers food to the Salvation Army. But that does not change the fact that many individuals are having a hard time, as they did rely on the service for a meal a day.
“It’s a hard time for those people, nobody is allowed to come to the temple and eat here,” says Bassi.
Only time will tell when restrictions for the non-profit organizations will be eased, and services will be back to operating as normal.
