Dave Moonen (left) of the Kamloops Moose Lodge (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Amandalina Letterio

COVID-19

Province doubles COVID-19 closure relief grant for businesses but non-profit businesses struggle

Jan 20, 2022 | 4:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — Businesses forced to stay closed until Feb. 16 can now receive double their approved money in the closure relief grant issued by the province.

The owner of Blue Grotto nightclub, Puppy Johnston, anticipates he will receive around $10,000. He says the money is vital in his business’ survival, but only if it can remain closed.

“10-grand? Closed? Yeah, that covers, like, almost a month. Almost a month. Open? It doesn’t cover a weekend,” Johnston told CFJC News.

Johnston says he can make the money last longer when he’s closed because he has fewer expenses. But he’s frustrated with the province’s requirements. The amount of money a business receives depends on the amount of employees it has.

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“How many small- or medium-sized businesses have more 100 employees so you can get 100 per cent of that grant? As you go down the list of rules, that’s the one that’s kind of holding it up,” he added.

Johnston says he’d prefer nightclubs just remain close until they can properly be open because although the doubled grant is helpful, it just doesn’t cover the overhead costs of most businesses.

“If you have five employees or more, you’re getting $10,000,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Recovery.

Kahlon hopes that, with the doubled provincial grant and federal assistance, businesses can cover their costs.

“You also have the federal supports which is up to 75 per cent rent subsidy and up to 75 per cent wage subsidy, so between the two programs, that’s some comprehensive supports,” he said.

But for businesses like Moose Lodge, a non-profit members-only lounge — the closure relief grant does not apply.

“We may not be able to survive. We don’t qualify for any grants from the BC government because we’re non-profit and they’ve put that stipulation in there,” said Dave Moonen, president of the Kamloops Moose Lodge.

Minister Kahlon says the Ministry of Finance is currently looking at ways to support the non-for-profit sector.

“We have a handful of businesses, there’s not many of them, that are impacted by the closures. But we are certainly looking at how we can support them during this challenging time,” he explained.

Minister Kahlon encourages organizations like Moose Lodge to add food to its services, as a creative way to stay open. The Lodge is already looking into that, but has to wait for a health inspection approval. Moonen says it’s the only way he can keep his doors open.

“A pub that serves food can open, but nobody has to eat in there — they can sit and drink as long as they want without ordering food. Yet we have to be down because we don’t have a full meal service,” said Moonen.