Only one of the $ 3 million that the City of Montreal has earmarked for SMEs affected by the pandemic has been spent so far and 82 businesses have received a subsidy.
Since last June, Montreal SMEs have been able to obtain up to $ 10,000 through the Commercial Activities Consolidation Fund, in order to adapt their premises or create an online store, for example.
Thursday, Luc Rabouin, elected responsible for economic development on the City’s executive committee, invited eligible businesses to take advantage of it.
“It’s a balm, it helped us a lot,” testified Maud Gaudreau, owner of the Etat de choc chocolate factory on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, which received this $ 10,000 assistance.
“I think it’s going to be fine for the fall, we can get our heads out of the water, we can breathe,” she added.
However, she apprehends the payment of municipal taxes in September, hoping for a further postponement of the deadline. This option was ruled out by Mr. Rabouin, who explains that the City has its own financial challenges.
“Taxes are not a problem, I find that normal,” commented Amélie Jean-Louis, co-owner of Salon Manga O-Taku. Thanks to the City’s subsidy, the specialized bookstore located on Saint-Denis Street was able to carry out several online activities to build customer loyalty, argues Ms. Jean-Louis.
The economic situation remains “extremely difficult”, according to Mr. Rabouin. “It’s not because people are allowed to go to businesses that they are there. People still have concerns about COVID-19. We think that the obligation to wear a mask gives confidence, ”continued the elected from Projet Montréal.
“The announced hecatomb did not happen, but that does not mean that we are out of the woods.”
According to Aref Salem, economic development spokesperson for the Ensemble Montréal party, the City must make these subsidies better known.
“There is a communication problem (…). We cannot continue to stay in our offices and wait for people to come knocking on the door. ”
Several traders on Saint-Laurent Boulevard were not aware of the existence of these subsidies during the passage of the “24 Hours” Thursday. Well aware of government emergency loans, Christine Thompson, who works at the COOP restaurant Le Cagibi on the boulevard, was unaware of the Montreal grant. A better communication effort would be welcome, she said.
Simon Lamy, project manager at Enseignes et Lettrage Robert, was not familiar with this grant either. Government assistance was sufficient, he said; despite the felt effects of the pandemic, trade is doing well. “We didn’t need more, and it’s the ‘job’ to apply for grants.”
The record store The end of vinyl is doing well despite the pandemic, according to its owner Daniel Hadley. This subsidy from the City is not useful for him: except for a plexiglass panel in front of the cash register, few adaptations are necessary.
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