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More than 60 per cent of Edmonton businesses expect to or have already closed for good because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest survey from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

Almost five per cent of local businesses said they have shut their doorsand 58 per cent predict that they will have to. Last week’s survey found about four per cent had closed, while roughly 47 per cent expected to close.

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Janet Riopel, the president and CEO of the chamber, said the window for governments to save the small and mid-sized enterprises being hurt most by the COVID-19 crisis is closing rapidly.

“Businesses are grateful for the supports the government is putting out, but the one message we keep hearing repeatedly is that help isn’t coming fast enough,” said Riopel.

Almost 40 per cent of local businesses who responded accessed the federal government’s wage subsidies, while only about a fifth said they have taken advantage of utility deferrals instituted by the provincial government.