Small business org SLAMS Doug Ford over job-killing lockdown

Premier Doug Ford's controversial new lockdown seems to have targeted the wrong industry, after he hinted that more retail businesses may be closed.

Ford made an announcement this Tuesday that Ontario would see increased restrictions "very, very quickly" following his initial announcement.

Dan Kelly, who is the president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, tweeted that "giving the growing evidence that it is large warehouses, not small retailers, where COVID is spreading, perhaps Costco, Walmart & Amazon should take a turn in the penalty box rather than Ontario's independent businesses."

Throughout the pandemic, small businesses that were considered to be non-essential have been disproportionately affected by pandemic restrictions.

All this occurred while large, international retailers were allowed to stay open.

Kelly went on to say that "a decision to allow large online warehouses to stay open while closing small bookstores, flower shops, clothing or gift boutiques would send the message (again) that Ontario is driven by political concerns, not health and safety or fairness."

Speaking at a press conference, Premier Ford said that "we have to focus on where we see the problem. Three regions; York, Peel and Toronto represent 60 percent of the COVID cases."