The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the COVID-19 outbreak is quickly becoming a disaster for small businesses. 60 per cent of small firms have seen a significant drop in sales. More than one in three report a reduction greater than 75 per cent. CFIB president Dan Kelly says, “More than half of small firms have begun laying off staff, with a quarter reporting they have already been forced to lay off their entire workforce.” He says, “At this rate, the only way to prevent massive additional unemployment is for government to introduce a much larger wage subsidy program.” Nearly one in three businesses say they can survive less than a month under the current conditions. That’s up from 25 per cent last week. A survey of more than 11 thousand businesses owners finds that more than half of small businesses across the country were already at least partially shut down, led by firms in the service and restaurant sectors.