Open Letter to Large Retailer CEOs
December 18, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Red Deer – Mountain View, AB
As of December 13, 2020, many small businesses were once again forced to close their doors. Although these business did all that was required of them by Alberta Health Services, arbitrary lockdowns were their reward for compliance.
These business owners are my friends, family and clients.
Small businesses not only provide opportunities for themselves and their families but also for their communities. They are the leading job creators in Canada. Small businesses sponsor local teams and events. They inspire the next generation to work as hard as they did to supply a better life for their children.
The Alberta government has continually preached that we need to reduce the number of contacts we have in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. With that said, we need to explore alternative options to lockdowns as they lead to mental health issues, economic destruction, and various other negative social consequences.
I am proposing that you leverage existing e-commerce platforms in conjunction with customer pick-up options in order to achieve two very important objectives:
Reduce social contacts in accordance with Alberta Health Services advice.
Use this reduced social contact capacity, at big box stores, to re-open small businesses currently subject to lockdowns.
These small business owners are the people you trust to cut your hair, mend your sore muscles, provide you with entertainment, and feed you when you’re hungry. It’s time to return the favour.
We continue to hear “we’re all in this together.” The fact that small business owners have to apply for exemptions in order to earn a living paints a very different picture. I urge you to change the narrative.
Sincerely,
Jared Pilon
Candidate for Red Deer – Mountain View, AB
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