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By Liam Verster
COVID-19 Business Closures

Grande Prairie Chamber calls for regional approach in reopening businesses

Jan 12, 2021 | 2:24 PM

The Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce has written a letter to Premier Jason Kenney and the Alberta Government, asking for a regional approach to be considered when it comes to reopening businesses.

The letter, which was also sent to local MLA’s, comes on the heels of the Province announcing the COVID-19 restrictions implemented on December 8 have been extended for an additional two weeks.

READ MORE: COVID restrictions to remain in effect until at least Jan. 21: Premier

Larry Gibson, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, says basically all industries and sectors have faced challenges with these restrictions, but the hardest hit in this most recent round of closures are restaurants and bars, hair salons, gyms, and personal services industries.

“Those [industries] have been hard hit, and they’ve been very patient in working through this, but once this announcement was put in place and the extension came on, the people and businesses are starting to get a little frustrated, and they’re starting to see their businesses as maybe not coming out of this as healthy as they could have if they were allowed to operate even at a 15 per cent capacity,” says Gibson.

The letter stresses the importance of moving from blanket, province-wide restrictions, to creating regional approaches to reopening that are based on local data.

“They have the [COVID-19] case counts of course, and the recoveries, and they have the hospital utilization, they have all that data now. As well as some of that sector specific data, and it’s never a true science on that, but they didn’t link any cases prior to Christmas to the food industry, the hospitality industry. I think there might have been one case in the hair salon industry.

“But they’re starting to gather a lot more data and they have that specific information that they can use to maybe look at a different approach and see if some of those industries can open up, even if it’s with some restrictions.”

He says in order to make this work, it will take a lot of collaborative work between local officials, health authorities, and members of the business community. By working together, plans could be conceived and compromises made so businesses can open their doors and at least start getting their operations going again.

“The details are always tough to iron out, and I think if there is some consultation with those affected businesses they would be able to provide some good input into what that relaunch plan might look like.

“I think almost every sector has a board that’s been looking at their businesses and looking at ways that they can relaunch safely, and I think if they were allowed to provide some input they could provide some good input on how that would all look.”

Gibson says a regional approach to reopening would also help drive the local economy, as more people would be able to go back to work, and more money could be spent in the community.

The letter was sent out on Monday afternoon, and Gibson says they have already heard back from the Premier’s office, who acknowledged that the letter was received.

The Minister of Finance and MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, Travis Toews, has also responded to the letter, and Gibson says a meeting will be scheduled with Toews at a later date to discuss this possible approach to kick starting the economy.

In the meantime, Gibson says he’s been impressed with local businesses and how they’ve adapted their operations to meet the regulations and limit the spread of COVID-19, whether it be through deliveries or curbside pick-up, and encourages people to do what they can to support local businesses.

“Support your local businesses. They’re the heart of the community, and we just encourage everybody, before they click ‘add to cart,’ to consider the local options and get out there and support our local businesses.”

by Liam Verster