Small businesses are the backbone of cities like Williams Lake and a crucial piece of our provincial economy.
Yet these businesses are facing unprecedented challenges as they continue to feel the effects of the pandemic, along with increased inflation and a blizzard of new taxes and costs introduced by the NDP government over the last seven years.
However, the concern I hear most when talking to business owners in the Cariboo is the rise of crime seen across the province. The increase in break-ins, broken windows, and other property crimes is taking a toll on businesses in our community.
The rise in crime did not magically happen overnight. It is a direct result of NDP Premier David Eby’s soft-on-crime policies that are harming communities and putting public safety in jeopardy.
As Attorney General for five years, David Eby created a catch-and-release justice system that has continuously let repeat violent offenders back onto our streets.
You can see the results in our downtown cores, with businesses forced to install fencing and other security measures just to deter theft and vandalism, criminals looting stores with no repercussions, and some shops even closing their doors.
After a push from the business community and our BC United caucus, the NDP introduced the Securing Small Business Rebate Program to help businesses affected by the rise in theft and vandalism.
However, in a fashion that has become all too familiar to British Columbians, the program rolled out was too little, too late, with too much red tape.
Three months in, the Securing Small Business Rebate Program has distributed a mere $71,000 of the $10.5 million set aside.
At this rate, only three per cent of the funds will be distributed by the Jan 31st deadline, and it would take 37 years for the entire $10.5 million to be given to small businesses.
This is wrong. Small businesses shouldn’t be forced to bear the costs of a broken catch-and-criminal justice system.
It’s time for David Eby to cut the red tape and get affected businesses the support they rightfully deserve.
Lorne Doerkson is the MLA for the Cariboo Chilcotin
