As a business consultant, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles of my clients who have borrowed funds through the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to keep their businesses afloat amidst the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic. These are hardworking individuals who contribute significantly to our economy, yet they find themselves unable to repay these loans due to continued financial hardship.
The CEBA was designed as a lifeline for small businesses during an unprecedented crisis. However, with over 800,000 approved applications and nearly $35 billion disbursed as of January 2021 according to data from Export Development Canada (EDC), it has become clear that many businesses are still struggling and may not be able to repay these loans.
We must remember that behind every business there is a person or family whose livelihood depends on its success. The inability to repay these loans can lead not only to financial ruin but also immense personal stress and anxiety.
Nearly 900,000 businesses were approved for the program, which distributed just over $49 billion in loans. About a fifth had paid their loans in full by the end of June.
According to a recent survey, 16 per cent of CFIB member businesses said they would be seeking an additional loan from their financial institution to meet the forgiveness deadline. Another 9 per cent said they were considering using home equity to help pay off CEBA on time.
Therefore, we call upon our government representatives and relevant authorities for compassion and understanding in this matter. We urge them to consider loan forgiveness for CEBA borrowers who continue facing financial difficulties despite their best efforts. By doing so, we can help ensure that our local economies remain vibrant while supporting those entrepreneurs who have been hit hardest by this crisis.
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