A community-driven petition launched by Surrey, British Columbia business leader Srikanth Mogulala is rallying attention across Canada as small businesses continue to battle rising costs and shrinking margins. Filed as House of Commons e-petition e-7609, the campaign is calling on the federal government to step in and give struggling small businesses the support they need to survive.
Srikanth Mogulala is the Managing Director of Heritage Carpets and Flooring Ltd., a flooring company based in the Fraser Valley (with operations serving the Surrey–Abbotsford region). He is also President of the Canadian Folk Art and Culture Exchange Society (C-FACE Society), a multicultural organization that promotes diversity, cultural exchange, and community unity through events. A longtime community leader in Surrey, Mogulala has been recognized for his work in both business and cultural initiatives, including formal recognition of C-FACE Society’s contributions in the B.C. Legislature.
The petition is formally sponsored by Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Surrey–Newton (Liberal Caucus, British Columbia), who is endorsing the call for stronger federal support for small businesses.
At the heart of the petition is a clear message: Canada’s small businesses are under pressure, and many are running out of room to breathe. The petition states that small businesses represent more than 98% of all businesses in Canada, employ millions of Canadians, generate billions of dollars in economic activity, and form the backbone of communities across the country. Yet many otherwise viable businesses are facing temporary financial hardship due to inflation, high interest rates, rising commercial rents, increased operating costs, taxes, insurance, utilities, supplier costs, and reduced consumer spending.
The petition also highlights a critical barrier: many of these businesses are unable to qualify for financing through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) or traditional financial institutions because of strict lending criteria and declining revenue. It argues that temporary hardship does not mean a business has failed.
To address this, the petition specifically calls on the Government of Canada to:
- Establish a Canadian Small Business Recovery Program that provides eligible small businesses with repayable, low-interest financial assistance through a dedicated government-approved operating account. Funds would be used only for approved operating expenses, including commercial rent, payroll, taxes, insurance, utilities, supplier payments, loan obligations, and other essential business expenses. Where appropriate, payments would be made directly to landlords, government agencies, lenders, utility providers, insurers, and suppliers to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of public funds.
- Implement this program in consultation with Canada’s small business community to protect jobs, maintain tax revenues, reduce business failures, strengthen local economies, and secure Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.
The petition was started by Surrey business leader Srikanth Mogulala and is available in English. Signatures are now being accepted and will remain open until November 24, 2026.
The campaign is still in its early stages, but the issue it raises is already striking a chord with small business owners across the country.
For supporters, the campaign offers a simple way to act: sign, share, and amplify the call for stronger, accountable support for Canadian small businesses. For communities across the country, it is a reminder that small businesses are not just part of the economy — they are part of everyday life.
If the petition gains wider traction, it could become a louder national conversation about how Canada supports the businesses that keep its communities running.
Source: House of Commons e-petition e-7609
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
