Vancouver ranks best among B.C. cities for small business costs
A Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey shows Vancouver's property tax freeze cut local government cost concerns by 13 percent.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vancouver ranks as the best city in B.C. when it comes to how much city hall costs burden small businesses, according to a new Canadian Federation of Independent Business report.
The CFIB surveyed businesses across the province and found that 49 percent of Vancouver businesses reported local government costs as a primary concern—a 13 percent drop compared to 2022. Vancouver was the only local government to see a decline in cost concerns since civic elections last held in 2022.
The improvement is partly attributed to Vancouver's "Zero Means Zero" property tax freeze passed recently. By contrast, Victoria fared worst, with 77 percent of businesses identifying city hall costs as a problem.
Across B.C., 62 percent of businesses identified local government costs as a top issue, ranking behind total tax burden (81 percent) and government debt and deficit (63 percent). CFIB director Ryan Mitton called the trend a sign of a "spending problem, not a revenue problem" at city halls across the province.
