COVID LAW: BIG BOX STORES CAN SELL “NON-ESSENTIAL” ITEMS

Small business owners in Nova Scotia have voiced their frustrations over the fact that massive box chains were allowed to stay open during the pandemic because they sell pharmaceuticals and groceries.
But while they continue to sell these items, they also offer customers merchandise like clothing and toys, which critics say gives them an unfair advantage over smaller competitors.
Paul MacKinnon, the CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, told CBC News he had a conversation with government officials about the unfair business advantage these stores have when smaller businesses are forced to operate with curbside pickups. He said he spoke with a few deputy ministers who said the province does not have any intention to limit these stores to what they can sell. MacKinnon said,
“It does create a little of an unfair playing field… Technically, you can go into Walmart and you can buy a bike, but you can’t go into an independent bike shop on one of your main streets because they are closed. So what happens if you go to Costco to buy groceries and a bike? We don’t have the answer to that yet. It’s something that we’re going to try and monitor.”
TRENDPOST: The Trends Journal has been reporting on how the virus outbreak and subsequent lockdowns have allowed the rich to get richer. (See our 5 January article, “RICH GETTING RICHER: MUSK & BEZOS RAKING IT IN” and our 13 April article, “TECHNOCRATS WIDEN WEALTH GAP THANKS TO PANDEMIC.”)
Global News reported that 70 percent of Nova Scotians work for small businesses. The province has offered grants to small businesses, but many owners say there are hurdles, and new businesses without a 2019 tax return do not qualify for financial support.