Witness Testimony

Zoey Jebb testified that she opened a wellness centre in Virden, Manitoba in 2019 after completing approximately nine months of renovations and investing roughly $60,000 in equipment. The business included a float pool, relaxation lounge, bodywork therapy services, workshops, and retail space. She obtained a $110,000 loan through the Business Development Bank of Canada and began phased operations late in 2019 with staff and practitioners in place.
In March 2020, following public health directives, the centre was required to close and was not permitted to reopen for several months under Manitoba regulations. She stated that many of the services offered, including bodywork therapy and use of the float pool and lounge, were prohibited. Because the business had only recently opened and did not meet minimum payroll thresholds, it did not qualify for certain government business relief programs. She testified that despite holding a federal loan and documented operating expenses, she was ineligible for support due to payroll criteria.
Ms. Jebb stated that she and her business partner eventually decided to file for bankruptcy due to mounting debt and inability to operate. Her partner declared bankruptcy, while she remained personally liable for the debt and was later sued by the Business Development Bank. She received CERB benefits personally, though they were temporarily suspended and later reinstated with assistance from her local MP’s office. She ultimately settled the debt by mortgaging her home, which she later placed for sale due to financial strain, describing the experience as a significant hardship.