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“The complexity is really causing a lot of problems right now,” Kelly said.

According to a survey of its members, the CFIB found that 80 per cent of small businesses are now shuttered, as the Canadian economy remains in lockdown. The organization represents around 110,000 companies. Thirty per cent of respondents will be unable to pay their April bills, and 39 per cent are contemplating permanent closure, the survey found.

“Everyone was prepared for this to last for a couple of weeks, but those couple of weeks are now a couple of months,” Kelly said.

His criticisms were widely shared by other witnesses at the Finance Committee on Thursday, particularly over the length of time it is expected to take before applications will be accepted by government.

Everyone was prepared for this to last for a couple of weeks, but those couple of weeks are now a couple of months

“There are significant problems with these proposals,” said Kim Moody, director and CEO of Canadian Tax Advisory. “Three to six weeks is simply too long — way too long.”

Witnesses at the committee meeting also acknowledged that the $73-billion program would be inherently difficult to administer, as it needed to be crafted in as a little as a few days, while also sufficiently weeding out applicants seeking to game the system.

The wage subsidy was touted as a necessary measure by business groups and economists, who have argued that the Canadian economy is likely to see a hastier rebound if more Canadians remain employed, rather than being re-hired after social distancing controls are lifted.

The wage subsidy will cover up to 75 per cent of payroll for firms, but requires companies to pay the remaining 25 per cent. Morneau initially announced a 10 per cent subsidy, which lobby groups claimed was inconsequential.

The rising deficit figures come as Statistics Canada on Thursday posted an unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent in March, after 1.01 million people lost their jobs over the course of the month.

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