The capital city has announced two initiatives to help local businesses following the recent State of Emergency.

Businesses were prevented from opening for about eight days in an attempt to keep traffic off congested roads, and to allow city crews to clear and widen streets following the major blizzard on January 17.

The city is extending the January 31 payment deadline for commercial business taxes to February 28. The deadline for filing vacancy allowance claims is also being extended.

Claims for the third and fourth quarters of 2019, normally due on January 31, will now be accepted up to and including February 14.