As small businesses across Ontario brace for a potential expansion of the province's bizarre "Grey Zone" retail rules (which close small businesses and push customers to line-ups at busy big box stores), here are my reflections:

1. No other province or public health official in Canada has adopted Ontario's counter-intuitive practice. Most provinces have adopted capacity restrictions for all, SK focuses on reducing crowds at big-box stores, MB closes both small & large to non-essential retail.

2. The province has provided no data to support its small business retail closure policy. When asked, most officials admit it is intended to send consumers a message to stay home, not because shopping is riskier than other business/personal activities.

3. The province has shared only shaky reasons why it allows big-box stores to remain open. Govt seems to be more concerned with big-box supply chain inconveniences than the very survival of 1000s of small businesses. Note: Walmart/Costco are open in Manitoba for groceries only.

4. A growing number of local mayors and health care officials are calling for a different approach in Peel and York. Listen to this interview with the Medical Officer of Health in York Region: https://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/audio/podcasts/dec-9-do-lockdowns-work-1.14131165?mode=Article

5. The public is not buying this approach either:
- 93% believe small retailers should be allowed to open w capacity limits
- 72% feel safer shopping in a small biz than a big-box store
- 88% see the current policy as unfair
- 76% say big-box should close if small firms do

6. So where do we go from here? Small retailers understand we are dealing with a serious issue. Very few are calling for a removal of all restrictions. But they want a policy that makes sense & has a chance of working. At least one that doesn't lead to higher risks.

7. One option is a capacity restriction for all retailers. Most provinces limit all retailers to between 15-50% of their capacity. Quebec limits to 1 person per 20 sq. m.

8. A second option is CFIB's "Small Business First" COVID retail strategy allowing all retailers to serve up to 3 customers in-store at any given time. Details here: https://promo.cfib-fcei.ca/saveontario/ 

9. A third option (not our preferred choice) is to lock-down all non-essential, in-store retail. This means if it's dangerous to buy a book at an independent bookstore, you can't buy one at Costco. If govt closes Susan's Boutique, it closes Joe Fresh. Manitoba does this.

10. Ontario boasts it has the most small business friendly govt in Canada. But it has adopted one of the most anti-small business policies in Canada's history. One that seems to make COVID risk worse. One no other province/health official has adopted. We need a change.