SOLBERG: Crime impacts make business owners feel abandoned

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By now, we’ve likely all heard stories about the impact rising crime is having on small local businesses.

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Incidences of theft, vandalism, loitering, acts of violence, etc. are unfortunately becoming all too common, and this is taking a huge toll — financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally on business owners across the province.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has been closely following this issue over the past two years, and while all provinces have seen an increase in the share of businesses impacted by crime, the situation is particularly concerning in Manitoba.

In 2023, 54% of Manitoba small businesses indicated they had been directly or indirectly impacted by crime and community safety issues. This number has jumped to 67% in just one year.

Businesses that have been impacted by crime report experiencing thefts and shoplifting (75%), and vandalism/breaking and entering (71%), with 61% also dealing with waste and litter (i.e., drug paraphernalia, etc.), and loitering (54%).

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One-third of business owners report they have been harassed at their shop, or their employees and clientele have been harassed. It is therefore not surprising that the majority (76%) of Manitoba small business owners say they are growing increasingly worried about their personal safety and the safety of their staff and customers.

Worse yet, small businesses say they feel let down by their governments and local law enforcement in response to rising crime.

CFIB consistently hears from frustrated small business owners who call their local police to report incidents of theft or vandalism, and despite their cumulative damage, their reports are dismissed, or nothing is done to help resolve the issue.

Some say they are targeted by the same individuals repeatedly because there are no repercussions. In fact, more than half of Manitoba small business owners say they won’t even bother to file a police report when they experience community safety issues because they don’t believe it will make a difference.

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When they do call, slow police response times often leave owners and staff to handle dangerous situations — such as dealing with intoxicated or violent individuals — on their own.

Many have been forced to take matters into their own hands and invest in stronger security measures, like cameras or security personnel. In some cases, businesses have had to change their operations to be by appointment only, or they now keep their doors locked during business hours.

But these actions come with a serious price tag. Over the past three years, Manitoba small businesses reported spending a median of $5,000 to cover losses from theft, security investments, and repairs from vandalism or break-ins. And this does not even account for losses in productivity, sales and business opportunities because of crime and security measures that may make their premises less accessible. Small businesses have limited ability to absorb these additional costs after dealing with years of pandemic losses and faced with current inflationary pressures.

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Yet, financial losses are only one piece of the puzzle. For many business owners, repeated incidents of theft, vandalism, or harassment are leading to heightened anxiety and a growing sense of frustration with a system they feel is failing them.

We recognize these challenges don’t have easy solutions, and appreciate some of the efforts we have seen so far from local governments such as increased investments in policing and a provincial security rebate program for Manitoba small businesses and families.

While the $300 security rebate was not used by the majority of our members (87% indicated they did not apply), programs like this show the province is at least starting to recognize that crime and safety challenges are a significant problem for small businesses.

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But more must be done. Eight in ten business owners say they don’t believe the taxes they pay are translating into any meaningful community safety improvements.

To help resolve this, we need true collaboration between all levels of government, law enforcement, and community stakeholders. In addition, small businesses want governments to invest in better up-keep and maintenance of public spaces to help deter crime; improve approaches to recidivism (including reevaluating bail rules and connecting repeat offenders to mental health and addictions services) and set service standards around police response times.

We need to get serious about tackling these issues in order to ensure our communities are vibrant and safe and to help create an environment where our local small businesses can thrive.

— Brianna Solberg, CFIB Director of Provincial Affairs for the Prairies and Northern Canada

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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