The B.C. government has put tax relief at the centre of its plan to help businesses affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. “Businesses need help now,” said Premier John Horgan Monday as he and Finance Minister Carole James announced that $2.2 billion of a $5-billion aid package would go to help companies stay afloat.
B.C. businesses have been devastated by the COVID-19 outbreak, with bars, restaurants and personal service businesses shutting down under a provincial health order.
Other businesses remain open, but to a major drop in customers because of provincial health orders banning gatherings of more than 50 people and requiring people to practice social-distancing measures.