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Finance committee Yes, thank you.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee I would say that it's true in most cases. However, in some exceptional cases, the assistance measures didn't apply. For example, if a business launched in January 2020, before the pandemic hit in February or March 2020, it didn't have a financial model for establishing comparisons.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Thank you, Ms. Chatel.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Thank you for that excellent question, Mr. Ste‑Marie. Unfortunately, I must leave after answering it, since I need to get back to work. Our position on this issue is an open secret. We've already appeared in the media to ask the federal government to provide a clear action plan for the return of public servants.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Thank you for the invitation.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee It's obviously a way to help heal an open wound. The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce and the Quebec tourism department are working very hard to make downtown Gatineau a prime destination, a gateway to the province of Quebec. We're also working hard to make Ottawa and Gatineau international tourist destinations.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Thank you.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee A survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business last week showed that 14% of businesses were simply thinking of declaring bankruptcy. I wouldn't go so far as to make the connection with the blockades. However, let's just say that they significantly affected morale.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Given the circumstances, many people have decided to move on to new occupations. This has caused a labour shortage in businesses particularly affected by the pandemic, including the restaurant and tourism industry. I was talking with management at the Casino du Lac‑Leamy. They told me that they were having trouble finding employees because people had received training in other fields.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee We are currently waiting to find out whether the government will include downtown Gatineau in its compensation initiative. The Gatineau Chamber of Commerce has not received any confirmation or notice indicating that this decision has been made. That explains what I have said today.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Thank you for the question. That was indeed the case. We suffered collateral damage. I do understand that Ottawa was the focal point and that the situation was extreme there, but downtown Gatineau was literally stormed. I will give you an example. Mr. Tremblay talked earlier about Valentine's Day.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee That's right. Everyone was a bit excited in preparation for businesses to reopen. COVID‑19 had been with us for nearly two years. There was a first major loosening of restrictions, and businesses were expected to reopen. Just like children before a school break, everyone was somewhat excited, but then the situation got out of control.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee That is what I've been told by restaurant owners I have talked to. People have started to return to work in offices, but many people decided to continue working from home. That creates all kinds of constraints in terms of reorganization, especially for businesses in the downtown area.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson
Finance committee Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Stéphane Bisson, and I am president of the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for inviting me to appear. I would first like to specify, for those who don't know, that Gatineau is right on the other side of the river; it is the national capital's forgotten village.
March 14th, 2022Committee meeting
Stéphane Bisson