B.C. business advocates call for safer working environments

Small, independent businesses across B.C. are asking for a safer work environment for their front-line staff this Labour Day.

The Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) says the majority of its members — 77 per cent — have reported increased fear and anxiety because of crime, vandalism, and street disorder.

BIABC president Jeff Bray, a Victoria business-owner, says the government needs to do more to address mental health, addictions, and housing issues.

“The level of exhaustion among businesses and their staff is really at a crisis point. And so I do think that government needs to recognize that the approach that we’ve taken — while with all the best of intentions — is having a significant negative impact on the broader community, and I would argue, not being particularly helpful to the population we’re trying to help in the first place,” said Bray.

Bray explains he doesn’t want to victimize those with mental health and addiction issues. Instead, he says the BIABC is focused on advocating for harm reduction.

“What we’re calling for is significant investments in detox and treatment on demand, that for the small percentage of people from whom community based services aren’t working, the government needs to consider involuntary care, and for the chronic repeat nonviolent offenders,” he said.

He’s asking federal and provincial governments to consider “involuntary care” for the people for whom community-based services aren’t working, and to amend the systems for the release of repeat, non-violent offenders. 

“Those two small groups account for a significant majority of the disruption. If we were able to manage those two populations better, you’d see an immediate and beneficial impact in the community,” Bray claims.

Members of the public, Bray says, can support local businesses by shopping locally.

“Notwithstanding raising these issues, we still have great entrepreneurs, great businesses. Small business is the largest sector of employment in this province. So we urge British Columbians this long weekend to continue to support your local, independent, and small and medium-sized businesses. Because at the end of the day, that makes our economy and our community stronger,” he said.