Local MPs for the Liberal government are again pushing to extend the repayment and loan forgiveness deadline for small businesses to pay back their Canada Emergency Business Account loans.

The deadline is Thursday, January 18, 2024.

North Island Powell River MP Rachel Blaney and Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns say it would give small businesses on the Island, still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, time to get back on their feet.

In a release, the two say a recent report revealed 4,000 Canadian restaurants could close shop without an extension to repay their loan with partial loan forgiveness intact.

The NDP has been calling for a year-long extension for over the last year, but there’s been no indication from the Liberals that they’ll budge.