“These numbers confirm what business owners tell me every day. People are exhausted, uncertain, and losing faith that the government even cares if they survive.”
– Gavin Dew, Critic for Small Business and Innovation and Kelowna-Mission MLA
Kelowna, B.C.: Conservative Critic for Small Business and Innovation Gavin Dew says small business owners across British Columbia are losing hope under the NDP government’s failed economic management, as new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) (link) shows confidence plunging again, remaining the lowest in Canada.
“Small business is the backbone of our communities, but under David Eby’s NDP, they have been pushed to the breaking point,” said Dew. “Confidence is collapsing, public safety is shattered, and youth unemployment keeps climbing. These numbers confirm what business owners tell me every day. People are exhausted, uncertain, and losing faith that the government even cares if they survive.”
According to the latest CFIB Business Barometer (October 2025), B.C.’s short-term business confidence fell to 46.9, below the 50 threshold and at rock bottom compared to other provinces. Costs for insurance, taxes, and wages remain among the top concerns. The ongoing BCGEU strike impacts have worsened supply issues for the hospitality and service industries, and the government has refused to help.
“The Canadian dream of building something from nothing is slipping away,” said Dew. “That dream is what built this province, but small business owners are being squeezed out by red tape, crime, and government indifference. When small businesses cannot survive, communities lose jobs, youth opportunities, and hope.”
The Conservative Official Opposition is calling for immediate measures to restore confidence and protect small businesses, including:
- Temporary private liquor access for restaurants and pubs affected by the BCGEU strike.
- Regulatory relief to reduce costs and barriers to hiring.
- Action on public safety to protect downtown businesses from vandalism and violence.
“Small business owners do not want handouts,” Dew added. “They want a fair chance to succeed. Instead, this government keeps raising costs, piling on red tape, and turning a blind eye to crime. B.C. cannot afford another year of this economic chaos. Conservatives will fight to rebuild confidence, restore safety, and create conditions where small businesses — and the people behind them — can thrive again.”
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Media Contact:
Ryan Painter
Communications
Ryan.Painter@leg.bc.ca
