“Many small and medium-sized businesses, non-profits and charities are counting down the number of days they can keep their heads above water since COVID-19 has taken away their revenue,” said Horwath. “We not only want them to survive, we want them to be able to keep staff on the payroll as much as possible.

“While the federal wage subsidy program and loan options are a welcome relief, they do not address the concerns that community leaders, like the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, have raised about historical barriers to financing.

The provincial government can solve that problem by working with organizations like the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce to ensure that these businesses get the support they need.”

In addition to designated funding, Horwath’s plan for help for small and medium-sized businesses, charities and community-based non-profits includes:

• A 75 percent commercial rent subsidy up to $10,000 a month for three months
• A utility payment freeze
• A remote-work setup fund for small businesses, which could help them with things like setting up an online retail operation, or buying laptops and software for staff
• An auto insurance grace period for taxis and car-sharing drivers, established in partnership with the insurance industry and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority