BILL M222 – 2023
PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESS FROM CRIME
AND VANDALISM REVIEW ACT

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Definition

1 In this Act, "small business" means a corporation that has no more than 49 employees.

Review

2 (1) The minister must, by appointing a person in accordance with subsection (2), initiate a review of

(a) the impacts of crime and vandalism on small businesses, and

(b) the feasibility of funding mechanisms to provide relief for impacts of crime and vandalism for small businesses, including

(i) a fund for security upgrades purchased by a small business, and

(ii) a fund to rebate the cost of repairs for damages sustained by small businesses caused by criminal acts on or near the premises of the small business,

by October 1, 2023.

(2) An appointment under subsection (1) must require the person appointed to

(a) carry out the review in accordance with terms of reference, if any, specified in writing by the minister, and

(b) submit to the minister a report that sets out

(i) the findings of the review, and

(ii) the recommendations, if any, of the person appointed on how to improve the effectiveness of the Act and the regulations.

(3) The minister must lay a report under subsection (2) (b) before the Legislative Assembly as soon as practicable and, promptly after doing so, must publish the report.

Repeal

3 This Act is repealed on December 31, 2023.

Commencement

4 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Note

This Bill requires the minister to initiate a review of the impacts of crime and vandalism on small businesses and the feasibility of funding mechanisms to provide relief for these impacts. The minister must initiate the review, by appointing a person, by October 1, 2023. This Bill includes a sunset clause, providing for the repeal of the Act on December 31, 2023.