As Vancouver businesses continue to close during construction of the Broadway Subway Line, Canada’s housing minister, a former provincial NDP MLA who previously demanded the B.C. government compensate businesses affected by Canada Line work, says he will look into the issue.
Fable Diner and SportChek are just two of the most recent businesses to shutter along Broadway near Main Street.
The local business improvement association has been pleading for financial support, including low-interest loans or tax breaks, but so far, the B.C. government refuses to budge on its ‘no compensation’ policy.
In 2007, as an opposition NDP MLA, Gregor Robertson demanded the BC Liberals provide compensation for Cambie businesses impacted by Canada line construction.
“First and foremost, we’ve seen with major infrastructure projects going back to the Canada Line, when I was the MLA in Vancouver Fairview, having a lot of impact on local businesses, the construction destruction can have real consequences and it certainly did back then,” Gregor Robertson said.
“I’ll certainly look into what has happened in terms of the impacts on the ground and flag that with my fellow, our colleagues MP (Taleeb) Noormohamed in Vancouver Granville, where most of the activity is taking place. We want to be sure small businesses can get through construction when it’s disruptive like that.”
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The federal government provides funding to business improvement associations in Toronto to support businesses affected by transit construction — by funding FedDev Ontario.
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Robertson says he’ll look into whether b-c businesses could receive similar support through Pacific Economic Development Canada.
Neil Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, said small business owners are resilient and innovative, but after six years of construction and closures, it is unclear how much more they can take.
Wyles said business owners are not asking for a handout from the provincial government; they are asking for a hand-up, which could come in the form of programs, low-interest or no-interest loans, or a tax break.
“Something just to help them get to the other side of this,” he added.
“Our government just has their heads buried in the sand.”
The B.C. government has always held fast to the decision that there will be no compensation for small business owners affected by the Broadway Subway construction.
Gregor will pay lip service to this issue, but won’t do diddly.
Typical politician.
Business Owners, walk into Eby’s office smoking a crack pipe. The NDP will welcome you with open arms a give you whatever you want
Six Years ? It only took 3 years to build the Golden Ears Bridge, a massive project.
Why has this not been completed yet ?
Gregor Robertson is an idiot! He has no clue.
I never seem to understand my me drugged mind
Do you honestly expect Liberals and NDP to support small business
Vancouver Sun July 29, 2013 online news archives says Robertson’s Vision Vancouver council proposed permanently closing a major section of swanky Point Grey Road to through car traffic. The goal was to build a seaside bike and pedestrian lane connecting Kitsilano to regular city bike routes. Critics—including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation criticized the project as a poor use of taxpayer funds. The initial construction and a subsequent 2016 expansion to widen the sidewalk by 1.2 meters cost $6.4 million. In July 2013, right as public debate over the bike lane reached a fever pitch, it was revealed that Robertson had purchased a new home in Kitsilano within one block of the proposed bike corridor.
Business in Vancouver archives online dated Sep 8, 2010 mentions Robertson acted similarly to former mayor Sam Sullivan when Robertson spent $28,875 of taxpayers’ money to revamp his personal website without putting the contract out to public tender.
This is the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure of Canada? No wonder Van city is hallowing out, who’s the scapegoat this time I wonder. Refund my taxes please.
Business owners aren’t usually supporters of the the NDP.
It ceases to amaze me how some citizens’ and the media keep gravitating back the the failed leadership for expert advise. They never seem to understand we’re not getting ahead..