The B.C. government has launched its second phase of recovery funds for small businesses affected by the record area of the B.C. Interior burned by wildfires this summer.

The latest financial assistance provides up to $18,500 for eligible businesses and $8,500 not-for-profit organizations. The first phase provided $1,500 for each eligible applicant and received 2,900 applications.

Eligibility information for the next phase is available at the along with application forms. Applications will be accepted until April 6, 2018.

Financial assistance is designed to at least partially compensate businesses for uninsured losses, insurance deductibles, minor repairs, cleanup, equipment and occupational training expenses. The Red Cross decides on the eligible amount for each application.

B次元官网网址淎lthough the emergency phase of the wildfires has passed, the road to recovery can be long,B次元官网网址� said Kimberley Nemrava, Red Cross vice-president for B.C. and Yukon. 

Kimberley Nemrava of describes impact on small business

B次元官网网址� Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherbc)

MLAs from the affected areas said the effort so far has been too little and too late.

Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes said she has business owners in her constituency who applied for the first phase as early as Aug. 12 and didnB次元官网网址檛 receive assistance until October. Making people apply for the second phase and going case by case is impractical in many cases, she said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been travelling out in the remote areas,B次元官网网址� Oakes said. B次元官网网址淵ou have no cell service. Local phones arenB次元官网网址檛 hooked up. You donB次元官网网址檛 have power. You donB次元官网网址檛 have water. People are just trying to get on with their lives.B次元官网网址�

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Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said families with sick children in remote areas have not been helped. Businesses include guide-outfitters and trappers, and B次元官网网址渕any donB次元官网网址檛 fit in the box.B次元官网网址�

Donaldson said cases that donB次元官网网址檛 meet the criteria for assistance are being reviewed case by case, but Barnett was not encouraged.

B次元官网网址淲e go home every weekend and this is what we talk about,B次元官网网址� Barnett said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got people who are trying to help one another as best they can. The only thing thatB次元官网网址檚 going to help them is some funding to get their lives back in order.B次元官网网址�

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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