A baker in Quebec claims to have lost a good $900,000 in sales due to work orchestrated by the Ministry of Transport which blocked his business, which the ministry denies.
” It’s a nightmare. Since April 11, 2021, there are works. This caused us to lose a good 160 days of sales because we had to close. These are losses of income of more than $ 900,000, ”denounces Houcine Tabbabi, a baker on chemin des Quatre-Bourgeois, in Quebec.
“When you don’t have work, you can make a million dollars a year,” explains the man who made himself known to his clients in the neighborhood.
Au Journalhe says that access to his business has been closed and that customers have had a hard time entering his bakery for months.
As a result, sales took a nosedive. The money is missing. The sky darkens.
“My wife and I worked from 12 to 14 hours a day, but we have to reduce it to 6 or 7 hours,” continues the contractor, who says he is still caught up in this construction puzzle.
Taken by the throat
Exasperated, Houcine Tabbabi says he wrote a letter to the Quebec Ministry of Transport, but was told that the standards were met.
“We no longer have the means to hire staff. We can no longer afford to pay the rent. We have to borrow money,” sighs the entrepreneur who is out of patience.
“The project manager has created a barrier between the site and the company”, maintains the businessman at the end of his rope.
Today, his bakery is struggling to recover.
The $900,000 hole weakens his small business, and this shortfall even threatens the survival of the business.
Asked by The newspaperFrançois Vincent, vice-president for Quebec at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, deplored the situation.
According to him, these SME bosses, like Houcine Tabbabi, who boost the economy, should not pay the price for the inconveniences associated with the work.
“The cities of Montreal and Quebec have set up compensation programs for road works,” he recalls.
“Perhaps it is time to undertake a reflection so that Quebec does the same thing,” suggests François Vincent of the CFIB.
The MTQ defends itself
At the Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ), we confirm that we do not have this type of compensation program, but we retort on the contrary that in this case, access to surrounding businesses has indeed been maintained.
They replied that major work had to be done because the Quatre-Bourgeois overpass “had reached the end of its useful life”.
“When the ministry carries out work, it always makes sure to maintain access to businesses or residences. This was the case in the project to repair the overpass,” defends its spokesperson Nicolas Vigneault.
“Citizens and merchants in the sector have also been informed of the obstacles in order to better plan their travel and business operations,” he said.
Notice to residents, press releases, communications… the Quebec Ministry of Transport says it has done what is necessary to avoid unpleasant surprises.
“During weekend work blitzes, notices were sent to residents and businesses in the area to keep them informed of upcoming operations,” concludes Nicolas Vigneault of the MTQ.
♦ According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ February Business Barometer, small and medium-sized businesses struggle with a variety of costs, including energy (69%), wages (63%), insurance (59% %) and inputs (45%).