Greens pledge to fast-track support for small businesses

Furstenau slams Horgan for election call during campaign stop at Horseshoe Bay

B.C. Green party Leader Sonia Furstenau stopped in West Vancouver on Tuesday, where she pledged to fast-track support for small businesses and the local tourism industry as the pandemic continues.

“We need to stay nimble and attuned to the way that the pandemic is changing behaviour, and that's where government needs to direct its attention,” she said at a Tuesday morning event hosted by West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidate Jeremy Valeriote.

Furstenau also criticized B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan for calling a snap election, when time spent on the campaign would otherwise be spent dealing with both the COVID-19 pandemic and the overdose crisis in B.C.

“Where we could be right now is in the legislature, working together as we did throughout all of 2020 — until this election was called — to ensure that people are getting the help they need during these emergencies. Instead, the former minister of health is on the campaign trail, asking for votes and money,” said Furstenau.

“I'm committed to working hard every day across party lines, as we have done, to make sure that we're doing everything we can to keep people safe, businesses and our economy whole, and to build back better once we get to the other side of this pandemic.”

Tuesday's campaign stop was held at the Troller Ale House in West Vancouver, one of countless small businesses that continue to struggle during the pandemic.

The waterfront pub, owned by Chris Greenfield, is located a stone's throw from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, with ferry passengers accounting for a large percentage of the pub's business. But with tourism drying up during the pandemic, in combination with physical distancing orders, Greenfield's pub is also treading water.

“I spoke with Chris (Greenfield) the owner about how that impact has been for him, and certainly during the early months, it was very devastating. He's been able to recover, however, but while his expenses have remained the same, his revenue is down 30 per cent,” Furstenau said. “This is why our party's position is that we would be helping business owners like Chris with their rent 25 per cent, to ensure they do make it through the winter and they can come out and be an absolutely essential part of our communities and the economy on the other side of this.”

Furstenau also promised her party would accelerate funding for the struggling tourism sector.

She noted the snap election had potentially jeopardized funding for organizations like rescue group Avalanche Canada, at a time when record numbers of British Columbians are exploring the outdoors and sticking close to home.

“That's why under our plan, we are proposing fast-tracking grants for tourism operators, including not-for-profits, to ensure they have the resources to get through the winter,” she said.