The Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria
Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
56 Wellesley St W., 7th Floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2S3
Dear Minister Sarkaria,
I’m writing today regarding an important matter involving thousands of entrepreneurs who own and operate hair and beauty salons across Ontario.
These small business owners closed their operations at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to do their part and help flatten the curve. As Ontario’s economy is starting to reopen, they are seeking clarity from the provincial government regarding when they will be able to open their doors to customers again, as no details have been provided. All they have heard so far is speculation that they will be required to wait until stage 3 to reopen.
All provinces in Canada except Ontario either have a plan for barbershops and salons to open in the coming weeks, or they have already re-opened using new safety precautions. These precautions include wearing PPE such as masks and gowns and limiting the number of customers in their location at any time.
The Allied Beauty Association (ABA), who represents members across the country, has stated that the industry is willing to abide by all safety measures required by the government, so that barbers and salon workers can get back on track and start to rebuild their business safely.
These important job creators need clarity from the government – what is the government’s plan for hair and beauty salons to be able to open and what measures will they be required to take in order to open safely? This information is crucial for their operations.
I urge you to work with the ABA to establish guidelines that will permit Ontario’s barbershops, beauty and hair salons to reopen safely, and to confirm that this will occur before any more of these businesses close their doors forever.
Thank you,
Amanda Simard, MPP
Glengarry—Prescott—Russell
Ontario Liberal Critic, Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
cc: Mark Kaluski, Chair, Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas
Lucas Nault, Founder, Ontario Salon & Spa Owner and Stylist Collective
Alain Audet, Executive Director, Allied Beauty Association