The government lavished direct payments on households with little paperwork and few requirements for repayment
. To businesses, on the other hand, it mostly offered complicated payment deferrals or loans, even though many firms were carrying excessive debt before the crisis. The reception to these programs proves the point: households were enthusiastic, firms were wary.
Justin Trudeau gave voice to the government’s evident suspicion of and cynicism towards business when introducing the CEWS on March 30. He sternly warned that “I want to offer a word of caution to businesses … if you think this is a system you can take advantage of or game, don’t. There will be serious consequences for those who do.
The contrast between aid to the household and business sectors during the pandemic only highlights a long-standing bias of this government. Since assuming power in 2015, it has showered money on persons, especially groups that vote Liberal in large numbers, such as youths and single moms. At the same time, it has antagonized the business community with higher taxes and more regulations, while demonizing the natural resource industry that is a pillar of our economy, especially in Western Canada.
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