Ottawa asking province to change business restrictions as rules set to ease in Quebec

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is writing a letter to the Government of Ontario, asking that restrictions either be eased for non-essential independent businesses, or strengthened against big box and discount stores.

This comes after an announcement from Quebec's government that non-essential stores, personal care salons and museums across that province will be allowed to reopen next week.

The letter, being backed by members of city council, outlines that the province has never clearly stated what an essential item is, but allowing big box and discount retailers to sell them encourages residents to leave their homes for non-essential shopping during a province-wide 'stay-at-home' order.

Watson says it's created an uneven playing field for small businesses who may offer some of the same non-essential items that are for sale at stores like Costco and Dollarama.

The letter says, if struggling small businesses can't reopen, big box and discount stores should be forced to limit in-person sales to groceries and essential items only. They should also have to restrict sale of non-essential items by cordoning off sales areas displaying non-essential items, and only sell non-essential items through online sales or curbside pickup.

“Thanks to my council colleagues for unanimously passing the attached resolution that asks the province to help small businesses compete against big box stores,” says Mayor Watson, Wednesday, February 3. “This is now even more urgent since Gatineau is easing its restrictions.”