Sarnia council is asking the province to treat all businesses, large and small, equally during pandemic lockdowns.
Councillors unanimously endorsed a resolution from Bill Dennis in special session Tuesday morning.
It calls on the provincial government to ensure that any large businesses, like big box stores, can only sell essential products.
"If Ontario rules won't allow the little guys to sell their products, then the big guys shouldn't be allowed to either," said Dennis. "Provincial grant programs are certainly helpful, but the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses says, at the very least, one in seven small businesses won't make it. We simply need to do more."
Councillor Brian White thanked Dennis for following up on a similar proposal shared from the Municipality of Nairn and Hyman last month.
"I couldn't agree more that what we're looking for here and what we need is a level playing field," said White. "At the start of the pandemic, I worked with a number of small businesses to seek clarity from the province, either through our local MPP's office and I even worked directly with the premier, to seek some clarity and to seek some fairness for some of our local entrepreneurs."
White said it's prudent now to ask for clarity.
"As municipalities, although we have very limited powers through our jurisdiction, we do see the effects first-hand and it's very clear to us that these lopsided restrictions are affecting the people that we interact with day-to- day."
White is encouraging other municipalities to put pressure on the provincial government for clarity and fairness.
Councillor Margaret Bird said all local businesses should be considered essential.
"They offer a livelihood to the people that run those businesses, they create jobs and it keeps our local domestic economy healthy," said Bird. "To shut down any kind of a business, after what we've gone through in the past year, is economic suicide."
Residents are being asked to support local establishments offering takeout and curbside pickup, but several restaurants have already closed temporarily because it's not economically feasible right now.