Small businesses in British Columbia are feeling the pressure from rising crime and public disorder across the province. In 2024, 57% of small businesses reported being directly affected by crime, up significantly from previous years. On top of that, the average firm impacted by crime has spent $5,000 over three years on security, repairs, and losses. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. It doesn’t include lost time, sales, or the stress of trying to keep staff and customers safe.
Our members are doing what they can. They’re investing in cameras, changing how they operate, and even working with neighbouring businesses to keep their communities safe. But here’s the problem: 68% of crime incidents go unreported, often because reporting feels too slow, too complicated, or unlikely to make a difference. From vandalism and theft to waste and public disorder, business owners are left to manage challenges that go far beyond running their shops.
Programs like the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (C-STEP) are a step in the right direction, but confidence among small business owners is low. Across the province, only less than three in ten of businesses, depending on the region, believe it will make a real difference, with particularly low confidence in Interior, Rural, and Northern B.C. That’s why CFIB is calling for clearer communication and regular updates so owners can see how C-STEP is tackling shoplifting, vandalism, and repeat offenders, as well as encouraging people to feel their voice is heard in protecting their communities.
Small businesses can’t carry this burden alone. We’re urging governments to tackle the root causes of crime, from housing and mental health to addiction, while providing direct support through funding, training, and vandalism relief. Collaboration between police, community organizations, and business owners is essential, along with safer public spaces and faster, more reliable law enforcement.
Crime is more than an inconvenience, it’s an economic headwind. Safer streets don’t just protect businesses, they strengthen communities. Governments need to step up, listen to business owners, and invest in making streets safer, cleaner, and more welcoming for everyone.
Join CFIB today to make sure your small business has a voice, access to resources, and the support needed to grow while keeping your staff, customers, and community safe.