BIABC - Beyond Safety, Vandalism and Property Crime

Business Improvement Areas of BC (BIABC) is in discussions with the Province to establish a fund to address the financial impacts of vandalism and property crime on small business. At the same time, we are being asked to provide additional ideas on how the government could support small businesses in BC. To engage in the most meaningful dialogue, we request your assistance in determining the most urgent issues and possible solutions. Please take a few minutes to complete this quick survey by July 14, 2023. Thank you in advance for your participation.

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* 1. Not including community safety, vandalism and property crime, what are the top three challenges facing your business that are within the provincial realm? (please rank in order of significance, with 1 being the most significant)

Property taxes

N/A

Labour issues: shortages and training; attraction and retention, etc.

N/A

Wage issues: minimum wage; 5 days paid sick leave, Employer Health Tax, etc.

N/A

PST payments

N/A

Red Tape

N/A

Inflationary pressures

N/A

Accessibility and transit issues

N/A

Lack of local infrastructure: roads, sidewalks, etc.

N/A

Other

N/A

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* 2. If other, please specify and / or provide additional comments:

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* 3. Given your answers above, what are the top three things the Provincial government could do to address the challenges? (please rank in order of significance, with 1 being the most significant)

More financial support: tax credits, rebates, incentives, subsidies, etc.

N/A

Increase the Employer Health Tax exemption threshold from $500,000

N/A

Reduce the school tax portion of the property tax bill

N/A

Raise the small business tax rate income threshold

N/A

Subsidized training opportunities

N/A

Harmonize the taxes, PST-free month

N/A

Shift the cost burden of paid sick days

N/A

Other

N/A

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* 4. If other, please specify and / or provide additional comments:

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* 5. At the federal level, did your business take out one or more Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans?

Yes (if yes, please go to question 6)

No (if no, go to question 9)

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* 6. If yes, have you repaid the loan(s)?

Yes (if yes, please go to question 9)

No (if no, please go to the next question)

Partially

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* 7. If no, how difficult will it be for you to make the full repayment by the December 31, 2023 deadline to receive the partial loan forgiveness?

Impossible

Very Difficult

Difficult

Somewhat easy

Easy, it will be repaid

BIABC - Beyond Safety, Vandalism and Property Crime

Question Title

* 1. Not including community safety, vandalism and property crime, what are the top three challenges facing your business that are within the provincial realm? (please rank in order of significance, with 1 being the most significant)

Question Title

* 2. If other, please specify and / or provide additional comments:

Question Title

* 3. Given your answers above, what are the top three things the Provincial government could do to address the challenges? (please rank in order of significance, with 1 being the most significant)

Question Title

* 4. If other, please specify and / or provide additional comments:

Question Title

* 5. At the federal level, did your business take out one or more Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans?

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* 6. If yes, have you repaid the loan(s)?

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* 7. If no, how difficult will it be for you to make the full repayment by the December 31, 2023 deadline to receive the partial loan forgiveness?

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* 8. Please feel free to comment on your answer in #7.

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* 9. Is there anything else you would like to share with BIABC?

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* 10. Please enter the first three digits of your postal code. This will allow us to provide community-specific information to your BIA.