Unfortunately for small businesses across the province, the Conservatives refused to step up with direct rent subsidies or a ban on evictions — and with Ford poised to finally say something on commercial evictions Monday, it’s too late for many businesses have already closed their doors for good, going under while getting no help from the province.

In Toronto alone, Conservative inaction has meant the loss of businesses like:

• 120 Diner & Club 120
• Butter Avenue
• Dave's...
• Dufflet Pastries
• Green Beanery
• Il Gatto Nero
• Lambretta
• LeTAO
• Nando’s Danforth location
• NishDish
• Pancho y Emiliano
• Plentea
• Prohibition
• The Dock On Queen
• The Puck
• The Red Light
• Shore Leave
• The Hideout
• The Westerly
• Underground Garage

“These businesses are gone in part because Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly refused to provide the kind of support other provinces have for their businesses,” said NDP MPP Bhutila Karpoche (Parkdale—High Park). “Unemployment has grown in Ontario while every other province is recovering because business after business has gotten no help with rent, and no direct supports to keep them afloat.”

The NDP has proposed a Save Main Street plan to provide commercial rent supports, remote work set-up supports and more to help businesses outlast the COVID-19 pandemic.