Councillors Amy Lubik and Callan Morrison are calling on the Province to ease the financial strain on small businesses by piloting commercial-rent controls and expanding support programs. The core of the motion, which comes up for discussion on May 27, proposes that the City send a letter to provincial ministries and advocate for two key measures:
Temporary Commercial Rent Cap: Requesting the Province to pilot a program that would temporarily regulate commercial rent increases through a rent cap, aiming to ensure business sustainability during economic instability and potential recession.
Expanded WorkBC Programs: Advocating for WorkBC programs, currently supporting the development of new businesses, to be extended to offer continued operational support to existing small businesses.
The motion argues that soaring lease costs are “driving out small businesses and destabilizing local economies,” while inflation and post-pandemic pressures intensify the problem. The motion states that local governments can help through zoning or development tools, but the Province has greater power to lessen economic pressures on small businesses.
“Municipal leaders across British Columbia are joining together to demand commercial rent relief, sounding the alarm on soaring lease costs that are driving out small businesses and destabilizing local economies. We are also asking for more business support for our local small businesses, which are the social and economic backbones of our community,” they write.
Lubik and Morrison cite Port Moody’s 2022 economic development study, noting that commercial space is scarce and expensive—“comparable to Yaletown”—and often subject to demolition clauses. At the 2024 Golden Spike Awards, a “pulse check” of 83 businesses, 69 of which lease their premises, identified rent, inflation and the cost of goods as top concerns, they write.
Both also point to previous advocacy work. Port Moody sought assistance for businesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and supported a split-class tax model at the 2019 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.
The motion highlights differences between existing WorkBC services for start-ups and continuing businesses. While new ventures receive planning advice and funding connections, established firms can access workforce development and training grants. The councillors argue that both groups “need to have access to the same services, education, training, and grants to pivot successfully.”
will poco put s cap on commercial realty taxes, if they cap the tents. it wotks both ways