Where Are Our Business Leaders?

I got a petition today from SumOfUs.org asking our governments to push Canada’s largest food retailers – Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, etc – to add more hours exclusively for the elderly or people acting on their behalf.

It got wondering about the so-called leaders at the top of the chain in Canada.

They’re absent landlords.

Yes, they’re keeping shelves stocked. Because they’re making a killing right now off fear and panic.

I haven’t heard much from the Westons (owners of Loblaws, Shopper’s, Superstore, No Frills, etc), Sobeys (owners of Sobeys, FarmBoy and FreshCo) and other super 1%ers that are raking it in off the rush of people who want to protect themselves with an extra week of so of food and necessities.

It’s sad that they’re sitting back being silent while the world screams for leadership from all communities, including our business community.

This is NOT the moment to become known as the own that manipulated things to your advantage.

In addition to showing some leadership, I would go even further than this and suggest the following:

1. Extra ‘hazard’ pay for any grocery workers that come in to work (many are not because they’re paid a basic minimum wage with no benefits)
2. Some ‘magnanimous’ offers from the likes of the Weston, Sobey, McLean families that are cashing in on people’s basic need to protect themselves.  Discounts? Bonuses to employees? Maybe paying some of the taxes that they owe (or should pay)? Other incentives?
3. Maybe a few more stores open for even longer hours with extra cashiers so that lines can get a little better ‘thinned’ out as people buy their basics
4. How about a ‘protection fund’ that will help so many people that get sick mortgage or rent coverage if they have to take time off due to Covid-related illness. If they don’t offer this security, workers will show and only spread the disease.

I’m disgusted by the absence of the commercial leadership in this country and other countries. They have receded into the woodwork and take, take, take while leaving front-line workers – and the rest of us – at risk.

This is not right.

Here’s the answer: don’t bother with petitions or shopping at the places that aren’t going to make you better off.

Find local farmers and grocers that are typically owned by one or two people. Some of them may even be your neighbours. Or a grocery/food delivery service that brings what you need right to your door. They NEED you more than ever right now and smaller crowds are actually more beneficial to limiting the spread of Covid.

The Westons and Sobeys and others that are just manipulating us can get bent until they show some real leadership and help calm a nation of very scared people.