The owner of a North Delta optical store is wondering about a new program that started last fall intended to help small businesses with the costs of vandalism.
About half a year ago, someone broke the glass in the door to Doug’s Eyecare Optical on 88th Avenue, resulting in a $550 repair bill.
Then about a month ago, someone used a claw hammer and smashed out about 20 chunks of glass out of the same window engraving a gang’s letters into the glass.
Store owner Doug Gibbs had heard of B.C.’s Securing Small Business Rebate Program announced last fall through which businesses could apply for up to $2,000 to help cover the cost of vandalism repairs. He decided to apply for help with the latest incident.
Gibbs was in the midst of filing an application for the rebate online, via the BC Chamber of Commerce website, when he learned that the rebate application required him to first file a claim with his own insurance company.
“You claim it, your insurance will go through the roof. And if I’m doing that, then why am I claiming through the government?” he said. “That’s a joke of a government move, I think.”
The second incident of vandalism cost him $250, which he just paid-up front, saying it’s not worth making a claim.
He questions the whole point of the program.
Jobs and Economic Development Minister Brenda Bailey announced the program in July.
The program is administered through the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, a total of 437 applications for vandalism rebates have been filed and 105 rebates have been paid, for a total of $105,633.
But changes may be coming to the program.
Bailey has heard from business and the B.C. Chamber about their concerns and also met with the Small Business Roundtable.
The grant has similar criteria to local grants provided across B.C., “but it’s clear changes are needed so this works better for businesses,” said a statement from the ministry.
“We are listening and will be taking action on these issues that are being raised. Our priority is to work quickly to ensure the $10.5 million can offset the costs some businesses are facing due to vandalism.
“We are working to get this money back in the pockets of our hard-working small business owners.”
Businesses can also apply for another $1,000 to help with vandalism prevention costs.
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce said it’s asking businesses to keep copies of their rebate applications to show how it impedes access to the program and is advocating for business regarding non-insured coverage or claims not made because of insurance costs.
