Business owners in Vancouver are expressing frustration over a planned road closure that could threaten their livelihoods. The closure of Broadway between Main Street and Quebec Street for up to four months is causing concern among local businesses, with fears that the construction work could have a severe impact on their sales and operations.
At a public town hall meeting hosted by the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association (MPBIA), owners like Ron MacGillivray of Fable Diner shared their struggles, citing a significant drop in customer traffic and sales over the past three years due to ongoing construction in the area.
Tara Shayegan of Uphoria Yoga echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for financial support from the provincial government to help businesses survive the challenges brought on by the road closure.
Ryan Mitton of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses called on the government to provide compensation to affected businesses, pointing out that it is only fair for the government to address the negative impacts of a project it initiated.
However, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth rejected the idea of compensation, stating that such measures have not been customary for infrastructure projects in the province.
The MPBIA highlighted the closure’s toll on local businesses, noting that more than 80 storefronts along Broadway have closed since the start of SkyTrain construction in 2020, resulting in job losses and financial setbacks for many.
Neil Wyles, MPBIA executive director, criticized the lack of government assistance and drew parallels to a previous case involving businesses affected by the construction of the Canada Line, which led to a legal battle for compensation.
As concerns grow among business owners, the question remains: Will the B.C. government step in to support those impacted by the construction?