March 10, 2022

Treaty 1 and Dakota Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg, MB – While the PCs pick winners and losers the NDP is fighting for small
business owners who feel abandoned by the PCs.

“Manitobans expect their government to be fair and transparent. But when our small businesses were struggling, the PCs chose to pick winners and losers,” said NDP Fort Whyte candidate Trudy Schroeder. “As a small business owner, I know how hard it is to secure provincial funding – that's what makes this so unfair. The PCs helped Obby Khan get ahead and left female entrepreneurs behind. Our team would do things differently – we would invest in small businesses fairly and help female and BIPOC entrepreneurs succeed.” 

In December 2020, Obby Khan’s startup “Good Local” received $500,000 in provincial funding. During this time business were prevented from selling non-essential items and many were forced to close their doors. Khan’s business was included in a government press release increasing his profile while other businesses struggled to promote themselves and access funding to pivot to online sales. 

In the last week many female small business owners have criticized the PC’s decision to put Khan’s business ahead of others. One such business owner is Kim Bialkoski, owner of Preserve, an in-store and online portal similar to Good Local that sells exclusively made in Manitoba goods. 

"Like so many female small business owners I’ve struggled to keep myself afloat over the last two years with no support from the provincial government – and we have questions for the PCs,” said Bialkoski. “Why him and not me? Why weren’t these funds equally distributed? While I struggled, Obby Khan got a promotion. Grants are for everybody – this was a gift.”