With Windsor-Essex again being held back from entering stage two of the province's plan to re-open the economy, small business owners plan to hold a peaceful protest outside the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Wednesday morning.
Nancy George, who owns Windsor Beauty Supply, told BlackburnNews.com many small business owners feel they have been left out of the conversation on an issue that has a direct impact on their livelihoods.
"Their businesses are falling apart," she said. "They can't make ends meet."
Windsor Beauty Supply supplies many local salons that have been closed since March.
George said protesters would be supplied with masks and hand sanitizer, and participants will be encouraged to stand two metres apart.
The federal government has offered businesses across the country the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and partnered with the province on the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. Still, George said it is not enough to keep some businesses open. She said some owners are facing tough decisions.
"Some businesses are planning to open in a different way like salons are going to probably open inside their homes where they're going to lose staff," she explained.
George moderates a Facebook group called Open Ontario July 1, which has about 2,000 followers.
Fed up with the slow pace of economic recovery, the group made up of small business owners plans to open July 1 with or without the government's blessing.
"The gyms are probably open outdoors," said George listing restaurants and salons among the businesses taking part. "They are going to follow proper protocols and procedures laid out by the government. Most of the businesses I've spoken to have been prepared for weeks now."
Wednesday's protest will start at 10 a.m. outside the health unit's office on Ouellette Avenue in Windsor.
