Businesses That Received Pandemic Relief Typically Small and Heavily Indebted: Federal Report

A pedestrian walks past a vacant storefront as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact small businesses in Montreal on Nov. 23, 2020. The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz

Businesses that borrowed from a federal relief program during the pandemic tended to be small and heavily indebted, says a report by the Department of Industry.

Losses under the program are estimated to be in the billions.