Business sector praises mask bylaw at COVID-19 economic recovery consultation

Representatives from the local business sector praised local politicians for enacting a mandatory facemask bylaw at a public consultation on Thursday.

The Region of Waterloo's ad hoc COVID-19 economic recovery committee heard from stakeholders with interest in construction, tourism, labour, and other sectors. 

Ian McLean, president and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce said that enacting the bylaw earlier this month was one of the best decisions council has made throughout the pandemic.

If infections are not controlled in the region and further shutdowns are required "it will be devastating for businesses, and many of the businesses that have held on so far, will not hold on," McLean said.

"Many of them are on the razor's edge right now of going out of business or staying in business."

Mark Bingeman, presenting to council on behalf of the Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation, echoed those sentiments, adding that consumers must feel comfortable before they will patronize local businesses. 

"The greatest challenge we have is the challenge of fear," Bingeman said.

For businesses to thrive, he thinks it will be important for local government to communicate to citizens how to visit them safely. 

"It is possible to go out, and have a good time, and be safe," he said.

Backlog in construction permits

One shortcoming the committee recognized was the issuance of construction permits. 

Rod Regier, the region's commissioner of planning, development and legislative services, responded to the criticism. 

"We know that time is money for the development industry, and it's got the full attention of our planning heads across the area municipalities and at the Region," he said. 

He explained COVID-19 has hindered regional government's ability to hold public consultations, and currently without public consultations many large development projects cannot be approved.