'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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.