This study was created to help understand how the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting businesses within the St. Lawrence Corridor Region. A business survey was sent using various digital media channels to business owners and executives, across the St. Lawrence Corridor, asking for their perspectives on how businesses will be impacted in the coming months

1. St. Lawrence Corridor
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
March 23-25, 2020

2. RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Factors Investigated
● Business leaders’ assessment of the
impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on
revenues, staffing and business
overall
Methodology
● Online, digital survey
● 3-5 minutes
● Directed at business leaders within St.
Lawrence Corridor
Timing
● Survey launched
March 23-25, 17:00, 2020
○ March 16th - Canada closes international border.
○ Mandatory closure of non-Essential business
within Ontario (March 23)
○ Emergency Response Benefit announced
(March 25)
This study was created to help understand
how the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is
impacting businesses within the St.
Lawrence Corridor Region.
A business survey was sent using various
digital media channels to business owners
and executives, across the St. Lawrence
Corridor, asking for their perspectives on
how businesses will be impacted in the
coming months.

3. FROM THE COMMISSIONER
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is having an increasingly
broad impact on every aspect of our lives. Eastern Ontario is
increasingly threatened, with businesses implementing
work-from-home policies responding to the provinces
emergency measures that will ultimately aid in halting the rapid
spread of the disease. Unfortunately, people are suffering and
businesses are suffering. In times of crisis - immediate action is
required.
To gauge how COVID-19 is impacting Eastern Ontario’s
businesses, the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development
Commission conducted a survey of business owners and
executives. Both government and business requires more data
and more clarity to better manage this evolving situation.The
study’s findings and recommendations will be shared
immediately with policy makers - who recognize the critical
importance of seeing what is happening on the ground today
and knowing what will be needed for businesses to move
forward when the economy normalizes.
Charlie Mignault
Commissioner
St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development
Commission
FROM THE CHAIR
It is important for the St. Lawrence
Corridor Economic Development
Commission to remain in close contact
with our existing commercial and
industrial partners throughout this
crisis. This survey is one example of
the activities we will bring to the market
over the coming weeks.
David Beatty
Chair
St. Lawrence Corridor Economic
Development Commission

4. Survey Demographics (n=128)
The respondents represent the commercial and industrial business sector in Eastern
Ontario with the largest component controlling local manufacturing interests. 25% of
the respondents have more than 50 employees.

5. Key Findings

6. Some sectors of the Ontario economy e.g. food services, have responded well to the
economic changes, Eastern Ontario business across all sectors are seeing significant
impacts to both their revenue stream and supply chains. 88% of respondents have
experienced a negative impact to their revenue. The Eastern Ontario supply chain has seen
similar impacts with 73% of businesses identifying new challenges with their supply chain.
Further research will determine the medium term impact the supply chain issues will have on
business.
BUSINESS
IMPACT
n=128 n=128

7. Businesses in Eastern Ontario are expressing an immediate need for government financial support.
The current Federal and Provincial stimulus and support packages do not currently align with the
need. The majority of businesses responding indicated that short term financial relief was required
with some indicating that they are making the decision to close or invoke Force Majeure on
contracts.
FINANCIAL
LIQUIDITY
n=128

8. 73% of businesses have seen a reduction in their staffing levels. The majority of businesses
are forecasting, or have realized negative growth in their employment levels with some
considering closing down operations. Further, the combination of employee health concerns,
overall economic sentiment and individual concerns about employment are negatively
impacting employee morale. Further research will determine how this is impacting
productivity and future staffing decisions. No attempt has been made to assess employee
morale for individuals who have already departed employment.
EMPLOYEE
IMPACT
n=128 n=128

9. What specifically can governments or their agents do
to help you address your pain points?
Categorized
Responses
Businesses remain
concerned about the health
& safety of their employees
Businesses acknowledge
the launch of government
programs and are
expressing frustration with
the method of distribution
along with the red tape
associated with funding
applications.
Business is looking for
direct injection of cash
quickly to survive.
n=128

10. Provide grants or subsidy's for
small businesses. As all
government staff are 'working
from home' or have a fully paid
vacation time during the closure,
they are not facing any hardships
& receiving full pay. Yet
businesses are being FORCED
to close, very limited access to
short term LOANS, and a small
wage subsidy.
JANICE
“ Backstop banks to ease NEW
line of credit applications with
minimal red tape. My bank of
over 25 years (RBC) has no
special procedures in place to
offer NEW lines of credit to
existing business customers who
do not already have a loan
facility in place. This is
cumbersome and time
consuming. We need a more
automatic approach.
LARRY
Provide as much tax relief and
support for businesses to allow
them to maintain cash flows and
support their businesses and its
employees to minimize the
layoffs and impacts to the
economy
JP
“ “
Requests for Government

11. Neutral
COVID-19 Impact to Manufacturing
(n=52)
Very High Positive
Positive
Very High Negative
Impacting
Sales and
Revenue
Impacting
Supply
Chain
Employee
Morale
Negative
Neutral
Manufacturers are
indicating a negative
impact to revenue during
the first 2 weeks of this
crisis.
While impacts to the
supply chain are less, this
remains a significant
challenge.
Employers also noted
significant negative
employee morale impact.
88% 73% 73%
Negative to
High Negative Score

12. A sense of resiliency can be gleaned in the survey results. Given the severity
and sharp nature of the economic downturn, fewer businesses than were
expected are considering permanent closure. Relative to the severity of the
current health crisis and economic downturn businesses remain optimistic about
the current crisis reaching an endpoint within months. This optimism is cautious
as businesses are looking for help quickly as can be summarized in one of the
direct responses:
INSIGHTS
“ “Put money in small
businesses
immediately.

13. About Us
The St Lawrence Corridor Economic Development
Commission, is a collaboration of 7 municipalities
and business leaders from across Eastern
Ontario. In cooperation with economic
development partners, the organization markets
the region as an ideal place to do business and
assists businesses in their growth strategies. Our
efforts are focussed on the goal of creating quality
jobs and fostering economic growth in the vibrant
communities along the St Lawrence River.
https://slcedc.com

14. UA2R is a diversified consulting company with a background
in sales, marketing, financing, management and business
development. UA2R actively seeks out projects with
for-profit and nonprofit organizations to build their strategic
and business plans to drive them towards achieving their
goals.
We look for areas of involvement where a holistic business
solution is required, allowing the team to create an economic
system to positively impact the goals of the organization we
are working with.
We work with data to better understand our clients and their
customers. Evidence-based decision making is key to
providing pathways to success.
A research
partnership

15. Supporting Detail
At a Glance

16. 88%
72%
70%
Responded that the
COVID-19 will impact their
Sales & Revenue from
negative to very-high
negative
73%
5%
63%
Responded that the
COVID-19 will impact their
Supply Chain from
negative to very-high
negative
Responded that the
COVID-19 will negatively
impact their staffing
Responded that the
COVID-19 will close their
business
Responded that the
government should focus on
providing financial support
directly to businesses in
distress
Responded their business
would be back to a "close
to" normal state from weeks
to months Vs. years.
n=128