Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman called for province-wide support for small businesses, blaming the NDP provincial government for crime impacting local entrepreneurs.
Banman, a BC United MLA whose riding includes much of Aldergrove, said that violence, crime, and vandalism were 鈥減laguing鈥� small businesses and communities, and blamed the NDP for a soft on crime approach.
He pointed to a Business Improvement Area of BC (BIABC) survey of 500 small businesses that found that almost half indicated they would be forced to shut down with the next couple of years due to the impact of crime and vandalism.
Banman鈥檚 proposed grant program would go to small businesses to fund vandalism repairs and security upgrades.
BC United has been slamming the BC NDP for months on crime issues, including vandalism and violence on transit.
During previous exchanges in the B.C. Legislature, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has pointed to promised federal bail legislation 鈥� as the province does not control bail rules 鈥� and to measures announced earlier this spring to create 12 regional hubs to target repeat offenders.
He has also placed the blame on the BC United, formerly the BC Liberal Party, for making cuts to health care and mental health care during their 16 years in office.
READ ALSO: Question period heats up in public safety debate following number of stabbings in B.C.
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