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Local MPP Speaks up for Welland Business

Jeff Burch accused government of shutting down Welland ServiceOntario centre, owned by woman who was life long PC supporter

Niagara Centre's NDP MPP bringing the plight of a small business owner in Welland to the Ontario legislature.

Jeff Burch said a number of small business owners had their ServiceOntario contracts ripped away and handed to Staples.

He revealed Klaudia Savona was sent an email from the province closing her business.  "She'd invested $40,000 of her own money, and operated her business for 23 years.  Now this government will pay Staples to renovate their big box store, leaving Claudia out in the cold.  She also received a threatening email, warning her not to speak to the media."

The government said the closed businesses had contracts about to expire, and the new model will bring better hours for customers.

Minister of Business Delivery Todd McCarthy said anyone who loses their job due to closures can apply to the new locations.

"But, not one size fits all.  When existing locations were due to expire, that created an opportunity to look at possibly expanding the retail partnership model, which our government did."

Jeff Burch added Klaudia Savona was a long time supporter of the PC party, but is no longer.

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