The upcoming month of March will be the benchmark for many people when reminiscing on this past pandemic year. While people everywhere have felt the effects of health guidelines, there is probably little doubt that small business owners have been severely affected

The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) program was originally launched in April 2020, before being renewed in December 2020. It was recently renewed by the government on January 29th, making businesses eligible for an additional payment for January 2021. Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison spoke about the challenges these businesses continue to face, and how this additional support will help keep moving business owners through the challenging period and into an economic recovery.

Kat, owner of Prairie Girl Fashions in Rosetown, is one of the many business owners that have struggled in this current climate. Things like foot-traffic in the store and different seasonal shopping trends, have gone completely away this year.

“In years past, traditionally January and February have always been slow months because people are (on vacation),” said Kat, “Well now people aren’t allowed to go away, but yet they aren’t coming through our doors. We are very, very slow. We have not recouped, if you want to call it that.”

While the provincial supports are in place to help keep things afloat, some businesses in the province such as Kat’s have still managed to slip through the cracks when it comes to the payment.

“We have not qualified for any government assistance at all.” stated Kat, “That being said we are still here, and I’m a fighter, so I’m going to fight to stay here even without government support.”

She knows that the government has looked at the program to make it more beneficial for even the smallest of businesses, but doesn’t quite know why her business still doesn’t qualify.

One factor that could eventually to lead to more traffic for small businesses is a successful rolling out of vaccinations. Kat agreed when asked if this was something that could help rejuvenate business, but knows that it ultimately comes down to the provinces vaccine delivery plans, as well as future public health decisions that could be yet to come.

While many businesses have benefited from the programs support, the future does remain murky for some of these other at-risk small businesses. Kat knows that she must keep her ear to the ground for the latest news, for the sake of her operation.