Self-employed Canadians speak out about gaps in COVID-19 support programs

Some self-employed Canadians are falling through the cracks when it comes to receiving pandemic support from the federal government, according to locals operating home businesses.

Lawana Quest and Kristin Schumacher both own pet-sitting businesses in Metro Vancouver.

They’re not technically locked out, which is a requirement for some benefits, and because they work out of their homes, they say they don’t qualify for benefits that apply to some other businesses.

As sole proprietors, they feel unfairly excluded.

“I’m a business, but they don’t consider my business valid [for supports],” said Quest, who runs Cloverdale-based Cat’s Cradle Critter Sitter.

“It’s my sole source of income. I’m single, I have no kids, I have no partner or anyone else to help me pay the bills. I am on my own.”

Schumacher even reached out to her accountant to find out if any programs apply to her, but came up blank.

“We collected CERB,” said Schumacher of herself and Quest during an earlier time in the pandemic. “I know that wasn’t an issue for them, so I don’t understand why this is now an issue.”

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Schumacher, who operates Surrey-based Kitty Kompany Professional Pet Sitting Services, says federal government advice for Canadians to avoid travelling has wiped out revenue in recent weeks — but the existing supports leave her out.

Much of her business relies on her looking after pets while their owners are travelling, but the government is explicitly recommending against non-essential travel given the emergence of Omicron.

“It makes me feel pretty awful,” said Schumacher, who says she is trying to find work.

She did get off CERB after finding work in 2020, which she stuck with for six months until she could get her pet-sitting business going again.

“It’s not like I’m sitting around with my hand out saying, ‘Give me money so I can sit on my tush all day.’ I’m actually that person who is trying to find work in between,” she said.

NEW: The December jobs numbers are in. Employment in B.C flat, though the unemployment rate dropped 0.3 points to 5.3%. Across the country, employment rose 0.3% with the addition of 55,000 new positions, according to Statistics Canada. #bcpoli #cdnpoli

— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) January 7, 2022

Seth Scott with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says this round of government supports is more restrictive — and the feds could have done a better job about communicating what’s available

“Businesses still need help and they need these programs to be available,” Scott said, acknowledging his organization has received calls from other self-employed people who run home businesses.

“Now is not the time to be tightening them up or making these eligibility requirements harder. Now is the time for government to make these eligibility requirements broader … and give businesses the help they need.”

We asked the federal government if it plans to tinker with any programs. Employment and Social Development Canada simply sent us a list of the existing programs.

“I am about to lose my business,” Quest said. “I really will. I’m going to have to get a full-time job. I hope I can get a full-time job at my age.”