REALITY CHECK: Commercial eviction protection far too late for businesses already closed on Ford’s watch

TORONTO – Doug Ford pretended that tough talk was all business owners needed to help them avoid eviction, and keep their business from going under. Unfortunately for small businesses across the province, the Conservatives refused to step up with direct rent subsidies or a ban on evictions — and with Ford poised to finally say something on commercial evictions Monday, it’s too late for many businesses have already closed their doors for good, going under while getting no help from the province.

In Toronto alone, Conservative inaction has meant the loss of businesses like:

120 Diner & Club 120
Butter Avenue
Dave's...
Dufflet Pastries
Green Beanery
Il Gatto Nero
Lambretta
LeTAO
Nando’s Danforth location
NishDish
Pancho y Emiliano
Plentea
Prohibition
The Dock On Queen
The Puck
The Red Light
Shore Leave
The Hideout
The Westerly
Underground Garage

“These businesses are gone in part because Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly refused to provide the kind of support other provinces have for their businesses,” said NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale—High Park). “Unemployment has grown in Ontario while every other province is recovering because business after business has gotten no help with rent, and no direct supports to keep them afloat.”

The NDP has proposed a Save Main Street plan to provide commercial rent supports, remote work set-up supports and more to help businesses outlast the COVID-19 pandemic.