The Christmas season usually translates into increased sales and traffic for Manitoba businesses.

But instead of feeling optimistic about the shopping season, many businesses are worried about upcoming tax hikes along with costs for wages, fuel and energy, and insurance.

And 49 per cent of small businesses indicate that a shortage of skilled labour is still their number one challenge.

SeoRhin Yoo, a policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, shares other factors that are impacting business optimism.

“Small businesses are worried about the cost of doing business. Nearly 20% of Manitoba small businesses are currently at risk of closure and according to our survey results, 75% are with pandemic related debt that’s averaging over $100,000 while half are still making below normal sales.”

Yoo says that small firms need help from all levels of government, who should pause tax hikes and provide more time for them to repay CEBA loans.

For more on the small business climate in Manitoba, catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.