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By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

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SOUND OFF: More support needed for struggling small businesses

Mar 23, 2023 | 9:42 AM

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE are suffering. A lack of workers, high inflation, rising operational costs and rampant vandalism are making it harder and harder for them to keep their doors open. This is bad for our economy and for our once-vibrant communities.

Many businesses have been challenged by the current labour shortage, and the most recent Labour Market Outlook shows that there will be a need for more than 1 million workers over the next decade, mostly due to retirements. B.C.’s entrepreneurs want to know that the NDP government has a plan to not only fill those positions, but to ensure those workers can afford to live here. With the costs of virtually everything going up — including housing, food, fuel and more — it’s no wonder many people are deciding it’s far too expensive to live in B.C. and moving elsewhere.

It’s also becoming too expensive to run a business in this province, and many small business owners are choosing to close shop, which is incredibly sad. The cost of goods, inflation, high interest rates, high rents, and 29 new and increased taxes from the NDP are becoming too much to bear — not to mention the added costs associated with an increased minimum wage and carbon tax, and more paid sick days for workers. It all adds up.

On top of all that, we have a public safety crisis on our streets that the NDP can’t seem to get a handle on. This is having unacceptable impacts on victims of crime, and business owners are among them. The costs associated with broken windows, graffiti and other types of property damage can be tremendous, particularly for those storefronts dealing with these incidents repeatedly. Some businesses also report that their staff and customers don’t feel safe as the neighbourhoods around them continue to deteriorate.

This is worrisome from a tourism perspective as well. If people don’t feel safe, they’re not going to want to visit. For tourism-dependent communities like those in my riding of Shuswap, this would be a huge blow to our local economy.

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It’s worth noting that the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) conducted a recent survey of 500 businesses in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George and Victoria. When asked about the impact of crime and vandalism and how long they can continue to operate under these conditions, 9 per cent of businesses advised less than one year; 17 per cent advised one year, and a further 22 per cent suggested two years.

Where is Premier David Eby in all of this? His inaction on public safety during his previous tenure as attorney general allowed this problem to spiral out of control. Now, as premier, he is presiding over the decline of our natural resource industries, which are a major contributor to our province’s economy — as well as creating an unfriendly business environment which is making it harder for our local establishments to stay afloat. He has no plan to grow the private sector, and no plan to improve affordability so people can live and work in B.C. comfortably.

All of this is happening on the backdrop of a looming recession. It doesn’t bode well for the future of our province, and it’s time for this NDP government to prioritize the success and well-being of British Columbians before more of them leave for a better, more affordable life elsewhere.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.