Claude DeBellefeuille, MP for Salaberry-Suroît, with the support of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), believes that the government's announcement regarding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) does not meet the needs of Quebec businesses, which need more breathing room.

"While it's good to see that the government is finally addressing the CUEC issue, after months of lobbying by the Bloc Québécois, what Ottawa is proposing is clearly insufficient for businesses," points out the Bloc MP.

Claude DeBellefeuille proposes that the government establish a direct communication channel with businesses, rather than delegating its own responsibilities to the banking sector.

"Pushing back by 18 days the date for applying for loans from financial institutions, and postponing by three months the deadline for fully repaying interest-free loans granted during the pandemic, clearly fall short of companies' expectations and needs. At a time when rising interest rates are hurting SMEs, the government's rigidity risks triggering a pandemic of bankruptcies early next year," warns Ms. DeBellefeuille.

The Bloc Québécois is also calling on Ottawa to grant greater flexibility to companies that have received loans under the CUEC.

"We are asking the government to offer companies that need it the possibility of obtaining an extension and reaching a repayment agreement without losing their subsidies," says Claude DeBellefeuille.