Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Queen’s expert Robert Yalden (Law) is available to talk about the Ontario budget, and the province’s plan to help small business owners get back on their feet.
It is highly anticipated that Premier Doug Ford’s government plans to broaden access to small business grants, funding and relief programs.
"With just a year to go until the next provincial election, this is a make-or-break budget for the Ford team” says Yalden. “Small businesses are the backbone of Ontario's economy, so they are a critical constituency for this Government. A big challenge that this budget therefore has to address effectively is how to deliver support that will make a real difference in the next few months, at a time when so many small businesses have their backs up against a wall. While the Government ran on a platform in 2018 that spoke to burden and red tape reduction, it will now certainly be judged on whether it offers a credible package of measures that provide immediate support to small businesses. At the same time, it will want to find ways to demonstrate that it has and will continue to reduce regulatory costs in way that really does affect a small business's bottom line. For example, there are measures including Quebec’s sole shareholder regime and those seen in 10 Organization of American States that the Ontario government could adjust and implement rapidly to reduce routine costs associated with being incorporated. It will be interesting to see if there is any movement on that front. "
To arrange an interview, please contact communications officer Julie Brown (343-363-2763 or Julie.brown@queensu.ca) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.
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