The provincial opposition is offering up a three-point relief plan to help the province’s small and medium-sized businesses cope with the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, while currently ineligible for any federal support. The three points are Saskatchewan Wage and Rent Subsidy matching the Local Lockdown Program; Proof of Vax Implementation Grant and the re-introduction of the Delivery Fee Cap.

“Small and medium businesses in Saskatchewan are struggling,” said the N-D-P Critic for Jobs and the Economy, Aleana Young. “Whether it’s short-staffing pressures, outbreaks or drop in sales, they’re desperate. Small and medium businesses in every other province have access to both provincial and federal relief. The Sask Party government has shut Saskatchewan businesses out of both.”

Following are the details on the three points of relief proposed by the New Democrats…

The N-D-P plan includes three solutions proving to support the hardest-hit businesses across the country…

— Saskatchewan Wage and Rent Subsidy matching the Local Lockdown Program accessible to businesses in every other province.

— Proof-of-Vax Implementation Grant, to retroactively offset equipment and staffing costs associated with enforcing public-health orders, as introduced in Alberta and Prince Edward Island.

— Reintroduce the Delivery Fee Cap, as called for by Restaurants Canada.