Winnipeg, June 24, 2021 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes additional support for small businesses through the Government of Manitoba’s new Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, but is concerned about the potential unintended consequences to employers that may participate in the Program.
Under this Program, announced on June 24, 2021, Manitoba employers will receive a 50 per cent wage subsidy for new or returning employees “who can attest they have been vaccinated or will be vaccinated.”
After months of many employers mostly or entirely closed, it is clear that many small businesses need additional support as they now plan to rehire and reopen on June 26. CFIB welcomes the province’s new Healthy Hire Manitoba Program, especially as it can complement federal programs.
However, CFIB is concerned that the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program is trying to achieve too many public policy goals at once. CFIB is apprehensive about the obstacles employers may face if the Government of Manitoba forces them to hire staff based on their vaccination status. We understand having people vaccinated is a goal of this Government, but business owners should not be made responsible for who is getting vaccinated.
Manitoba small business owners need a rehiring program that is easy to use and without restrictions to help hire staff and get their business’ fully open. Dropping this hiring requirement would help the Healthy Hire Manitoba Program provide exactly the help that many employers need.
- Dan Kelly, CFIB’s President
- Jonathan Alward, CFIB’s Director, Prairie Region
For media inquiries or interviews, please contact:
Milena Stanoeva, CFIB
647-464-2814
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 95,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.