BC Election - October 19, 2024

(Updated October 30, 2024)

NDP Forms Majority Government

Nine days after the final day of voting, the election was finally called in favour of an NDP majority government, with the smallest of margins - BC NDP - 47; BC Conservatives - 44 and BC Greens - 2. During the election, BIABC solicited platform responses from each party to critical questions of concern to our members. The questions and party responses are available below.

With the election decided, BIABC will focus on holding the government and the opposition to their responses. As a beginning, the following media release was distributed on October 30, 2024.

CRITICAL ISSUES OF PUBLIC SAFETY & COST OF DOING BUSINESS
DEMAND URGENT RESPONSE FROM NEW NDP GOVERNMENT

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2024

Vancouver, BC – Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) are calling on the newly elected NDP Government to move with urgency to address a number of critical issues impacting public safety and the viability of small and medium-sized businesses across the province.

“BIABC would like to congratulate David Eby on his election victory and acknowledge all candidates for their contribution to the democratic process ,” said BIABC Past-President Teri Smith. “Following the conclusion of a hard-fought campaign, there is unfortunately no time for a victory celebration. Businesses and residents need the government to step up immediately and start doing the hard work to address the pressing issues impacting the health and vitality of communities across the province.”

BIABC represents hundreds of thousands of retail, service and office employees in more than 70 business districts across the province. A recent survey of businesses informed several areas of our advocacy that includes a humane response to the complex issues of mental health, addictions and homelessness. A comprehensive plan is also required for youth and adults with a range of targeted and meaningful investments, as well as policy decisions to create a specific pathway to access on-demand, wrap around services, and sustained, intensive treatment.

Specific to the cost of doing business, members support a review of the current five-day mandatory sick leave policy, improved delivery and increased access and awareness of the Securing Small Business Rebate Program – and the creation of a stand-alone Small Business Ministry to give voice to the largest private sector employer in the province, BC’s small businesses.

Of great concern is the feedback from respondents indicating that if conditions don’t change, 39% don’t believe they can continue operating successfully past 2 years  - while 52% suggest they will only be able to continue for four years.

In response to the BIABC questionnaire sent to all parties during the election campaign, the NDP made commitments to:

• Open new secure treatment facilities, fast-tracking the development of Foundry Centres for Youth and their families to access critical mental health, addiction, and physical and sexual health services;
• Expanding specialized treatment beds across the province with both mental health and substance use disorders;
• Keep repeat violent and gang offenders off the streets by pushing Ottawa for stronger bail and sentencing conditions, and
• Appoint a single Minister with bottom line accountability for small businesses.

“Over the course of the provincial election campaign, party leaders and candidates staked out many positions and promises. Small and medium-sized businesses raised their collective voice about significant issues that are placing an emotional and financial toll on them, and circumstances which in many cases, have become unbearable. As a result, our hope is that the incoming government will choose to treat its election commitments as a bare minimum and go well beyond those pledges, because British Columbians deserve better,” concluded Smith.

Party Responses to BIABC Questions

BIABC sought responses from the three main political parties to key questions of importance to members and their businesses. The questions were developed in response to a survey undertaken in June of 2024. The parties were given until October 4 to provide their reponses. Below are the responses as received. 

BC New Democratic Party
 

Conservative Party of BC
 

Green Party of BC

Will be posted if received.

Questions for Parties and Candidates

A survey of small and medium-sized businesses across BC underlines how current issues are placing a financial and emotional burden on shop owners and their front-line staff – requiring the urgent attention and actionof the next provincial government. To that end, Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) will be challenging major political parties and their candidates to make commitments that will support the short and long-term viability of the province’s small business sector.  A survey of small and medium-sized businesses across BC underlines how current issues are placing a financial and emotional burden on shop owners and their front-line staff – and require the urgent attention of the next provincial government. To that end, Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) will be challenging major political parties and their candidates to make commitments that will support the short and long-term viability of the province’s small business sector.  

Community Safety:

1. Do you support targeted investments to improve community safety, including the implementation of a comprehensive policy framework and required investments that shifts the focus from just harm reduction to include prevention, treatment and enforcement? Explain how you plan to address these complex issues.
   (Understanding that longer-term solutions to the complex issues of mental health, addictions and housing will take time to materialize, there must be an urgent and extensive investment in policy and actions to create safer streets in our business districts and neighbourhoods. This needs to include a commitment to community policing implemented with the engagement and support of community members.)

2. What specific plans, policies and targeted investments will you undertake to address the significant challenges associated with mental health, addictions and housing? Again, please be specific.
   (BIABC is advocating for a humane response to the present situation, which includes a comprehensive plan for youth and adults with a range of targeted and meaningful investments, and policy decisions - to create a specific pathway to access on-demand, wrap around services, and sustained/intensive treatment, regardless of where one lives in the province. A key aspect of that plan must ensure an uninterrupted spectrum of care based on individual needs and a robust recruitment strategy to staff the various facilities.)

3. How will you achieve concrete results with the federal government to address the significant issue of chronic violent and non-violent offenders? 
   (Businesses are struggling under the weight of repeated thefts and vandalism, often by persons with multiple convictions for similar crimes. BIABC acknowledges the work of the province in addressing some elements of this issue with their federal counterparts, such as the creation of Dedicated Enforcement Hubs. However, more must be done to advance the long-standing concerns of the small business community and the general public with respect to repeated theft, vandalism and other non-violent offenses.)
   
    

The Cost of Doing Business:

4. Do you support a review of the five-day mandatory sick leave policy, and reducing the financial impact on small and medium-sized business owners and operators?
   (This policy was established in response to the pandemic and applies to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act, including part-time, temporary, and casual. While there is a positive economic and social benefit, it is one of several employer-related costs that have increased in recent years - and puts the onus on a business owner to pay the employee taking sick leave along with the employee backfilling that position. BIABC is advocating for a review, in consultation with the business community - on options such as a rebate, subsidy or other mechanism that reduces the financial liability for businesses without placing an administrative burden on them. An amended policy would also provide 5 sick days in total, rather than 5 days per employer (full time/ part time – 30+hours).)
    

Government Support:

5. Do you support the improved delivery, increased access and awareness of the Securing Small Business Rebate Program. And will you extend the program beyond its current end-date of January 2025? 
   (BIABC was a strong advocate for the creation of a fund to help offset costs being incurred by businesses and for preventative measures because of rampant property crime and vandalism. We believe the program can serve a valuable purpose but has fallen short of expectations because of the cumbersome application process and the lack of awareness.)

6. Will you create a dedicated/stand-alone ministry of Small Business?
   (BC’s small and medium size businesses are the largest private sector employer in the province, and they need a voice. Small businesses are the lifeblood of every community and critical to vitality of downtown business districts and neighbourhoods. A dedicated ministry would help government better understand the health of the sector and respond to its specific and nuanced challenges.)