In one day, OPSEU/SEFPO members from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services processed more than 10,000 small business grant applications at “light speed” according to the Finance Minister.
That was the first day the Ontario Small Business Support Grant went online, on January 15. Today marks one week since the grant was opened to small businesses who are struggling financially due to the pandemic. Since then, more than 42,000 applications have been received.
OPSEU/SEFPO members who work for the Ontario Public Service are the backbone of this crucial pandemic support – they process the applications, provide help desk support to applicants who have questions, and send out the payments.
“I’ve always said that OPS employees touch the lives of every person in this province for the better in some way,” said President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “I’m proud of every single one of our members who are moving mountains to get government support out to small businesses so quickly. I remind all 170,000 of our members to support small businesses where and when you can. They are our neighbours, our family and our community.”
Whether it’s through direct services to the public, behind-the-scenes support for government programs like this one, or regulation of industries to keep us all safe, OPSEU/SEFPO members who work for the Ontario Public Service help all Ontarians keep safe and thrive. They make our province better every day.