FORSETH – New program to help small businesses hit by crime falls short

I FEEL CERTAIN that there will be sighs of relief, and gratitude extended towards our provincial government once the small business community becomes aware of the largesse soon to be extended towards them.

YES, that was sarcasm!

I speak of the new $10.5-million Securing Small Business Rebate Program which becomes available on Nov. 22.

According to Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, “Small businesses are the foundation of B.C.’s economy, and we are taking action to maintain a thriving business community.”

She continued, “Supporting small businesses with this rebate helps provide some relief for the costs they’ve taken on through no fault of their own.”

The securing Small Business Rebate Programs will apparently assist businesses in the costs they’ve been incurring due to repeated vandalism of their premises. For some, it’s been in the TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars as windows and doors are repeatedly smashed by the same small number of repeat offenders.

Those repeat offenders — due to what continues to be a ‘catch and release’ program — are turned back out on the street, in many cases within hours of being arrested, so that they can go back out and do it all over again.

And how much funding will B.C. businesses be able to apply for, to help recover the costs from vandalism?

Get ready for it …..  as much as $2,000 per business for the cost of repairs due to vandalism.

I’m going to bet that will barely cover the cost of replacing one smashed window.

If, as the government says, the Securing Small Business Rebate Program is an example of the province’s ongoing support for small business, all I can say is thank goodness I’m not a small business owner.

Small business owners across the provinces have been repeatedly subjected to shoplifters stealing tens of thousand of dollars in merchandise … tens of thousands of dollars in damages due to vandalism … the repeated costs to remove graffiti … the mentally ill and addicted loitering on their premises discouraging shoppers – and occasionally using their doorsteps as a bathroom … PLUS … ever increasing taxes.

AND AGAINST THAT they can apply for up to $2,000 in compensation – big whoop!

IF the B.C. government wants to get serious about supporting small businesses, then it’s time repeat offenders are kept in jail without bail, and when they head to court, given jail time that is commensurate with the costs incurred due to their criminal actions.

It’s also time to ensure the mentally ill have somewhere safe to stay where they can be cared for with respect and dignity, and those who are addicted can receive immediate treatment should they choose to do so – if not, then fine, they can do jail time!

Premier Eby’s NDP government claims they are continuing to build on their work to create safe and healthy communities.  If this is one example of how they are going about it, they have failed dismally!

In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth.

Now it’s your turn … what do you think about this new program for BC’s small businesses?

Alan Forseth is a Kamloops resident. For 40 years he has been active, in a number of capacities, in local, provincial and federal politics, including running as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election. He more recently was involved in the BC Liberal leadership campaign.