Small businesses in Canada are not universally in agreement on the matter of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 29 per cent of businesses polled believe it will help them avoid further layoffs or recall staff. 37 per cent say it will not be helpful. 20 per cent are unsure. The wage subsidy of 75 per cent is available to businesses of all sizes and structures. CFIB President Dan Kelly says, “It will help many, but there are still a loft of business in dire need of help that report they will not be able to access it.” For some, the program comes too late as layoffs have already happened and can’t be easily reversed. Some said they may not be able to prove the 30 per cent drop in revenue that is required to qualify. Others said the support wouldn’t be enough to retain jobs.

The CFIB would like to see the government eliminate the 30 per cent test for small and medium sized firms or the need for a test for firms ordered by governments to fully or partially close. The Federation would also like to see a different test created to ensure that new or rapidly growing firms can access support. The CFIB would like to see flexibility for firms with special circumstances. And, it wants government to reduce the 30 per cent test to 15 per cent for March to reflect that the major impacts on business began in mid-March.