Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry has been devastated and the recovery post-COVID-19 is uncertain. Bookings have been cancelled well into 2021. Small businesses in my riding are reeling from inconsistencies in the BDC. SMEs who took out loans just prior to the shutdown and had not opened are expected to pay the interest on principal they are not yet required to pay.
I have two questions. First, will the government consider extending the wage subsidy program for tourism-based small businesses? Second, will the government consider giving SMEs struggling under COVID-19 a break on their interest payments?