Additional help coming for Manitoba’s restaurant industry

The Manitoba government is providing $5 million to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce to develop a program that provides financial relief to dine-in restaurants that have been affected financially by the province moving to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System and resulting public health orders, Premier Brian Pallister announced today.

  “Manitoba’s restaurant community has made significant sacrifices in order to help halt the spread of this deadly virus and protect all Manitobans during this crucial time in our fight against COVID-19,” said Pallister. “Many businesses have taken on additional costs to adapt their operations to comply with public health orders and safely provide Manitobans with the services they rely on while supporting their efforts to stay home. Our government continues to work with the business community to identify industry needs and help target our support to help offset new expenses.”

  Based on a recommendation from business leadership and stakeholders, the $5-million Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program will be delivered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association. The program will be designed to provide a rebate to dine-in restaurants across Manitoba that have shifted to a delivery model as a result of moving to Critical (red) and subsequent public health orders. The rebate will help offset additional costs related to food delivery services, whether a restaurant provides its own delivery service or uses a third-party delivery company.  

“In a time when the restaurant industry in Manitoba has experienced significant revenue losses due to the pandemic and code red restrictions, we are pleased to see our provincial government creating this initiative to ensure some of the additional expenses of operating during this unprecedented time are recognized,” said Shaun Jeffrey, executive director, Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “We welcome this additional support to keep our restaurateurs’ spirits up during this holiday season. We look forward to working with all the partners involved to get these supports to the businesses that need them the most while supporting them as they rely on this lone revenue stream to keep them viable in the future.”    

The Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program is the second program rolled out from that $50 million investment. On Dec. 3, the province announced a $1.5-million commitment from the fund to help support business, and chambers of commerce throughout Manitoba in developing and promoting their community business. A portion of that funding was also allocated for the GoodLocal online shopping platform and delivery service in the capital region, which connects local makers and merchants with buyers at www.goodlocal.ca.  

The Manitoba Bridge Grant provides an immediate one-time payment of $5,000 to small and medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit and charitable organizations that were directly ordered to temporarily cease operations or close their publicly accessible physical locations by Manitoba COVID-19 public-health orders in effect on Nov. 12. The province expanded the grant in December to include funding of up to $5,000 for full-time Manitoba home-based businesses that have been affected by Manitoba COVID-19 public-health orders in effect as of Nov. 12. As of Dec. 21, the province has provided approximately $43 million to 8,600 successful applicants.   

More information on the Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program and how to apply will be available for restaurants in the weeks ahead.  

(Province of MB News Release)