Small businesses are the heart of B.C.’s communities. They create jobs, keep money circulating locally, and give neighborhoods their unique character. But lately, many small business owners have been feeling squeezed. Rising property taxes are making it harder to stay afloat, and our new report, Bureaucracy Over Basics, shows why.
The problem? Regional districts are spending more money than ever, often faster than population growth or inflation, but small businesses aren’t seeing better services in return. In fact, most small business owners don’t feel they’re getting good value for their taxes. Only 12% say they do. Over half say they rarely or never interact with their regional district, and 53% feel their district isn’t responsive to their needs.
Administrative costs, money spent running the district rather than providing actual services, are growing fast. In some districts, like Capital and Sunshine Coast, administrative costs have doubled in just five years. And with the Auditor General for Local Government shut down in 2021, there’s less oversight to make sure districts are spending responsibly. Many board members are indirectly appointed rather than directly elected, which makes accountability even harder.
The good news? Some districts are getting it right. Places like Nanaimo and North Okanagan have kept administrative spending under control while still delivering services efficiently. It shows that responsible, smart spending is possible, other districts just need to follow their lead.
That’s why we're speaking up for small businesses. We’re calling on regional districts to:
- Keep spending in line with population growth and inflation so taxes stay fair and predictable
- Make small business needs a priority with faster licensing and more efficient services
- Focus on core services instead of growing bureaucracy
- Be transparent about where tax dollars are going
- Bring back proper oversight, like a funded Auditor General, when needed
Small business owners are juggling debt, inflation, and rising costs. They shouldn’t have to carry the weight of bloated government spending on top of that. We’re pushing for smarter, more accountable regional district spending, so small businesses can thrive and continue building the communities we all rely on.
If advocacy like this could make a real difference for your business, becoming a CFIB member is the way to get involved. Membership gives you a voice in shaping policies, staying informed on issues that affect you, and supporting efforts that make running a small business easier across B.C.
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