“When businesses have been hit so often that they’re not even filing police reports anymore, that’s a dangerous loss of confidence in the justice system.”

Gavin Dew, Conservative MLA for Kelowna-Mission, Official Opposition Critic for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation and AI

KELOWNA, BC: Fewer than four in ten small businesses in British Columbia say they always file a police report after becoming the victim of a crime, such as shoplifting or vandalism, accord to a survey released today by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

60 per cent of business owners also reported that they are concerned about their personal safety, and the safety of staff and customers, due to crime and community safety issues.

“David Eby’s reckless hard drug decriminalization experiment has shattered public safety and driven small business to the brink,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Conservative Official Opposition Critic for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation and AI. “When businesses have been hit so often that they’re not even filing police reports anymore, that’s a dangerous loss of confidence in the justice system.”

According to the CFIB, small businesses say they often do not report incidents because they do not expect a timely response or meaningful follow-up. Small businesses also report growing concerns about staff being harassed or threatened while at work or closing up at night.

“Small businesses say they are losing faith in our justice system here in B.C.,” said Dew. “It’s time for David Eby and the NDP to own up to the chaos they’ve created,restore safety on our streets, and rebuild business confidence.”

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
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