VANCOUVER — Small companies all through British Columbia will quickly have entry to new funding to help elevated prices on account of crime and vandalism.
Beginning in fall 2023, the brand new $10.5 million Securing Small Enterprise Rebate Program might be accessible on an software foundation and retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023. Companies will be capable of apply for as a lot as $2,000 per enterprise for the price of repairs on account of vandalism, and as much as $1,000 for vandalism prevention. Prevention measures eligible for funding embody safety cameras or gates. The prices of damaged glass and graffiti cleansing are eligible beneath the vandalism repairs standards.
Details about how companies can apply for funding is predicted to be made accessible within the fall and communicated by way of native chambers of commerce, boards of commerce and business-improvement areas to make sure enterprise homeowners can get funding as quickly as potential.
“Small companies are the spine of our province and it’s very important we work collectively to maintain our financial system robust,” says Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Financial Growth and Innovation. “We perceive the frustration of enterprise homeowners taking over the price of vandalism on their very own. We’re taking motion to help companies with new funding to offer aid to cowl these prices, and ensure we’ve a thriving enterprise neighborhood.”
“As a enterprise proprietor, I perceive that the problems that face downtowns in Vancouver and in the remainder of our province are complicated,” says Carol Lee, proprietor, Chinatown BBQ. “We all know there’s work being executed to handle the foundation causes of crime, however offering new funding to assist cowl the prices of vandalism will go a good distance for companies like mine so we will maintain serving our communities.”
“Not too long ago, companies of every type have seen a rise in prices to restore injury brought on by vandalism ― a lot of it as a result of complicated points that communities throughout the province are dealing with,” says Fiona Famulak, president and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce. “Many enterprise homeowners have invested in preventative measures to guard their belongings and preserve a secure setting for workers and prospects. The BC Chamber of Commerce welcomes [this] announcement to ascertain a program to assist offset the prices companies face because of property crime.”
Moreover, WorkSafe BC lately introduced preliminary premium charges for 2024. Whereas base charges throughout all industries haven’t modified, the premium fee for the restaurant classification has dropped by 6.3 per cent, from 0.95 to 0.89. Whereas the lower just isn’t large, it’s a big enchancment over the 2023 restaurant classification premium improve and will present some labour-cost aid for eating places.
Nevertheless, particular person eating places should see their charges go up because the period of claims has been steadily rising, and the prices for an employer additionally relies on their very own expertise score. Employers’ efforts in sustaining a secure office and holding claims low is a large think about holding particular person enterprise premium prices low. Eating places Canada continues to work with WorkSafe BC in driving restaurant premium charges down and holding staff secure.