A message to the Business Community from Shannon Phillips, MLA Lethbridge West

I have heard from so many constituents that have lost incomes, parents unsure of how to best educate their kids – especially those with disabilities - and many, many, people struggling with anxiety around COVID-19 and all of its impacts on our community. This is truly a challenging time for our city, our region, and perhaps greatest of all, our province.
 
Given the challenging times we’re in, I first want to take a moment to thank you all for what you’ve already been doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and for the sacrifices we’ve all been making toward that goal. These days spent at home are giving our healthcare workers vital time and space to deal with this pandemic. The more that we can practice physical distancing, wash our hands frequently, and limit our interactions to only the most absolutely essential, the fewer infections will occur, and the more lives we will save. So, thank you to everyone in our city who has done such a remarkable job keeping each other safe!
 
Still, this has been a remarkably tough time for so many in our city and challenging for so many in the small business community. However, I know we’ll get through this. I know that because of how I’ve seen southern Albertans pulling together throughout this crisis. Even though we remain physically distant from one another, I’ve never felt the embrace of our community in quite the same way as I’ve felt over the last month since this crisis began in earnest. I’ve seen our city respond quickly and innovatively to the challenges that have been put before us.  
 
Our small businesses have done an incredible job of quickly adjusting to the new realities so that life can feel as normal as possible for our city. They’ve done this in a number of ways: from online cooking classes at Umami to online wine and beer tastings at Andrew Hilton to safe, contact-less takeout at our many wonderful small restaurants. Small businesses have also stepped up to help keep our kids entertained, with businesses like Salsa Babies and Urban Beat providing free, online dance lessons so that we can keep our kids moving and learning through what has no doubt been a difficult time for them (and for parents).
 
I have also been incredibly proud of all of the small businesses that have stepped up to help those less fortunate in our community. While there are too many examples of businesses donating and helping community groups provide vital services to vulnerable members of our community, some have taken very direct steps to help improve life for those challenged by our current circumstances. The food cupboard at Plum is an excellent example of a small business stepping up and helping to address basic issues of food insecurity in our city, while providing incredible produce and other foodstuffs to our neighbours. 
 
Now, more than ever, we are seeing the importance of a strong local business community, and why it is so important to support, and buy, local wherever possible. The inclusive, helpful, and can-do spirit of our small businesses during this crisis has been an inspiration, and represents so much of what makes our city great.