Fredericton, NB – The chambers of commerce in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John have written to Prime Minister Trudeau to express concern with the proposal to require 10 paid sick leave days per employee per year. The plan would place substantial financial burden on businesses at the worst possible time in the fledgling days of Canada’s COVID-19 recovery phase.
 

“While we appreciate the heightened importance of public health due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must be equally aware of any legislation or programs that place even more additional financial burden on Canadian business at a time when they can least afford it,” says John Wishart, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton. 
 

Chamber members and businesses in New Brunswick are facing a number of unprecedented external and internal pressures on their operations. As the recovery phase of this pandemic continues, many businesses are finding it more and more difficult to absorb fixed costs as revenues have been hit dramatically. Hence, the further layering of costs will only lengthen the road to recovery for businesses.
 

“Through increasing costs for businesses who have already been facing the struggles of navigating through this once in a lifetime pandemic, this raises concerns over what future implications could look like. We do however welcome the quick federal response supporting businesses and listening to the policy reform efforts of the Chamber network across the country” says David Duplisea, CEO of the Chamber.
 

“It’s hard to fathom that at a time when the federal government has recognized the plight of the economy with nearly $150 billion in COVID-19 support to employers and employees that they would even consider imposing such a significant new cost on small businesses,” said Krista Ross, CEO, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.
 

The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, a nationally accredited organization with over 1,000 members, is an active business organization engaged in policy development and advocacy that affects the competitiveness of our members and the Canadian business environment. The Chamber’s vision is ‘Stronger Community Through Business Prosperity’. 
 

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton is a nationally accredited Chamber with more than 800 members representing close to 35,000 people. We are the ‘Voice of Business in Greater Moncton’ with a vision to ‘inspire growth’. We engage our members through benefits, events and vigorous advocacy.
 

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community.  With close to 800 businesses, representing the interests of approx.35,000 people, The Chamber is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John.  It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.
 

– 30–
 

For more information contact:

Krista Ross, CEO, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce – (506) 458-8006; kristar@frederictonchamber.ca

John Wishart, CEO, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton – (506) 857-8101; jwishart@ccgm.ca

David Duplisea, CEO, Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce – (506) 634-8111; dduplisea@TheChamberSJ.com