Edmonton-area restaurant closes due to sick workers, others struggling with staffing too
Wendy Boyd recently tossed thousands of dollars of produce and dumped half-empty bottles of wine down the drain. That wasn't because of government COVID-19 closures, but because too many of her employees are sick.
The co-owner of St. Louis Bar and Grill in St. Albert said she didn't have a choice but to lock the doors for two weeks.
"This is the last shutdown we want, for sure. People are depending on their money for rent, for servers a lot of their money is tips," Boyd told CTV News Edmonton.
"It's a gut check financially, but it's also a reality check. We knew it was going to come."
As an Omicron-variant fueled fifth wave washes over Alberta, Boyd is not the only one struggling to find staff that will help keep her business going.
A December study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses found 46 per cent of Alberta businesses were struggling to find workers and 24 per cent were short staffed. Omicron has only made that worse.
“(Businesses) are already doing all they can to attract workers, but they need governments to do their part by adopting policies that increase productivity, connect job seekers with employers and don’t put the cost of hiring out of reach,” CFIB's Corinne Pohlmann said in a news release.
With that in mind, Alberta recently cut the isolation requirement for fully-vaccinated workers who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five.
"We're making these changes to help prevent disruptions in Alberta's workforce," Health Minister Jason Copping said in early January.
Boyd said she never had a staff shortage problem before the pandemic because she pays well and treats her staff like family.
For her the issue is Omicron, and to help her get through that, she wants money from the government.
St. Louis did receive $2,000 from Alberta taxpayers for bringing in a Restrictions Exemption Program, but said Ontario small businesses recently received $10,000.
"We're getting the things we need, the tools we need in terms of testing, although we got a little hold-up right now. But we need hard cash from our provincial government and our federal government. That would really help us get through this last one," she said.
St. Louis plans to reopen on Monday, and Boyd hopes it's for good this time.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.