'When are we actually going to get it?' Some Alberta businesses are still waiting for government grant payments
Some Alberta small business owners say they're still waiting for the financial help the provincial government promised them months ago.
Alberta rolled out the third round of its Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) funding in the spring.
It's meant to help businesses that were forced to close or limit service during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of the payments have still not been received.
"I'm curious as to when they're actually going to distribute that money," said Amanda Fex, the owner of City Fit Shop in Edmonton.
Amanda Fex of City Fit Shop in Edmonton said she's been waiting for weeks for her grant payment to come through.
"You do get to a point when you've been closed for as long as we have that you really are counting on that money to get you through these closure months and come out the other side. So, it's tough when you don't see it coming in."
Fex said she applied and received funding in the first two rounds of the SMERG program without issue, but the third is taking weeks.
The money is for businesses that experienced a revenue drop of at least 30 per cent due to public health measures, up to $10,000.
Fex said she was approved for $5,000.
"That $5,000 would definitely help. I'm definitely not ungrateful for that that, I just find it odd. Why is it different for this spring grant than it's been for the last few grants?" she said.
"When are we actually going to get it?"
TAKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED
The government said it's paid out $620 million to 91,000 applicants since the SMERG program started in June 2020. Some applications may take longer to review and approve due to incorrect or incomplete information, a spokesperson for the province said.
"Those who are approved should receive their payment within ten days of receiving that approval," reads a statement from Alberta's ministry of jobs, economy and innovation.
But CTV News has spoken to nearly a dozen Alberta business owners who say they are still waiting for payments. One owner shared a screenshot of their application portal, which confirmed they had been approved and waiting for payment since April 23.
"We have definitely heard from at least up to 15 business owners in the last couple weeks who are quite concerned that they still haven't received their payment," said Annie Dormuth with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Dormuth is urging the province to hurry up delayed payments and properly communicate with business owners who are unsure of why they haven't received the funding.
"This has been a common problem, I feel, since the third round was launched," she said.
Annie Dormuth
The Alberta Hospitality Association (AHA) said businesses are relying on any and all funding help they can get as they recover from the rules and restrictions from the last 15 months.
"There's so many small businesses waiting for that relaunch grant," said Ernie Tsu with the AHA.
"We've got businesses from hospitality to coffee shops and cafes, from here to Grande Prairie still waiting for that relaunch grant."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street