Major public construction projects are impacting British Columbians across the province, whether its road rebuilds, transit expansions, or utility work, they can drag on for months or even years. Small businesses in particular are affected, making it harder for customers to get to your door and forcing you to absorb losses you had no way of avoiding.
The Broadway Subway project in Vancouver is a perfect example. Businesses along the corridor have already endured more than five years of disruption, and now they’re facing another two-year delay, including a full four-month road closure in early 2026. For many independent business owners, it’s pushing margins to the breaking point. CFIB has heard directly from members along Broadway who are working extra jobs, dipping into savings, or putting their homes on the line just to keep staff paid and the lights on. Others are having hard conversations about whether they can stay open at all.
CFIB has been calling for better construction support for years. Our national report Hard Hats and Hard Times shows nearly 70% of small firms hit by local construction lose revenue, on average about 22%, and they face roughly $10,000 in extra costs like cleaning and repairs. Projects often disrupt them for more than 500 days. Broadway is one of the clearest examples of this pattern.
Now, in Vancouver, we’re working with the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association (MPBIA) to push for direct financial support, shared small business data that highlights the impact of prolonged construction, and helped amplify business owners’ voices at town halls and in the media.
On December 11, 2025, we joined MPBIA in sending a joint open letter to the Province calling for real, practical help: support based on business size and proven losses, fast delivery with simple paperwork, and a provincial construction mitigation model that starts with Broadway but can be applied to any major project in B.C.
And while Broadway may be in the spotlight, the problem is province-wide. Small businesses everywhere face blocked streets, confused customers, and long-term stress during major construction projects. Governments need to recognize the real costs and provide meaningful support so healthy businesses can survive through construction phases.
If your business is impacted by public construction, or if you want to make sure your voice is heard on issues like this, join CFIB today.