“The NDP’s incompetence has turned our downtown areas into zones of despair, where businesses suffer and communities are left to pick up the pieces. This isn’t just about losing a few stores—this is about the slow destruction of the backbone of our economy.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
August 28, Vancouver, BC: John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, delivered a scathing critique of Premier David Eby and the BC NDP for their disastrous handling of the business environment in British Columbia. The recent closures of long-standing businesses like Dressew Supply in Vancouver and Greggs Furniture & Upholstery in Victoria are clear indicators that the NDP’s policies are driving small businesses to the brink.
These closures are not just about losing beloved local shops—they are symptoms of a much larger problem. High taxes, burdensome regulations, and unchecked crime have created an environment where small businesses can no longer thrive. Dressew Supply, a staple in Vancouver for over 60 years, cited the “difficult business climate”, “increased costs”, and “the vandalism, graffiti, crime and our neighbourhood falling apart around us” as major factors in their closure, while being sure to specify that, “these issues are not limited to our neighbourhood or city (Vancouver)”.
Similarly, Greggs Furniture & Upholstery in Victoria pointed to downtown chaos and rising crime as the final straw, “what’s tipped the balance right now is the street chaos around the store that we're having to deal with on a daily basis” said owner David Screech. Jeff Bray, head of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, stated that Greggs’ closure after 70 years is “a huge loss for the community,” and acknowledged the increasingly difficult environment for small businesses. Screech says the province hasn’t done enough to address public safety issues. He wants to see involuntary care expanded for those in need and more advocacy from the province for tougher bail laws.
“The NDP has turned British Columbia into a hostile territory for small businesses,” said John Rustad. “When iconic businesses like Dressew Supply and Greggs Furniture & Upholstery are forced to close, it’s clear that the NDP’s policies are tearing apart the very fabric of our communities. David Eby and his government have allowed chaos and crime to run rampant while failing to create a business environment where entrepreneurs can succeed.”
Rustad continued, “The NDP’s incompetence has turned our downtown areas into zones of despair, where businesses suffer and communities are left to pick up the pieces. This isn’t just about losing a few stores—this is about the slow destruction of the backbone of our economy.”
The Conservative Party of British Columbia is committed to reversing this trend and restoring a healthy business environment. Rustad emphasized that under Conservative leadership, the province will see a return to common-sense policies that support economic growth, reduce crime, and empower small businesses to thrive.
“It’s time for real leadership that understands the importance of small businesses and is ready to take bold action to restore order and prosperity,” Rustad concluded. “The NDP has failed British Columbia. The Conservative Party is ready to lead the change that our province so desperately needs.”
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