Nearly half of Atlantic Canadian small businesses have been directly impacted by crime in the past year

More than eight in ten don’t believe their tax dollars are being effectively spent on community safety, finds new CFIB data

Halifax, October 24, 2024 – According to a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the share of Atlantic Canadian small businesses directly affected by crime and safety issues has doubled in the last year, jumping from nearly a quarter (23%) in 2023 to 48% in 2024.

“Small business owners should be able to close for the day and come back the next morning without worrying about their goods being stolen, windows being broken, or storefronts being defaced”, said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, CFIB’s Atlantic Vice President. 

Waste and litter, vandalism, and theft are the most common types of crime Atlantic Canadian small businesses experience. In the last three years, businesses have had to increase their crime-related expenses such as replacing stolen inventory or equipment and vandalism repairs. Crime and safety issues also take an emotional toll on small businesses, with two-thirds (67%) worrying about their personal safety and that of their staff and customers.

In addition, 56% of small firms do not consistently file crime-related insurance claims, with most saying they worry about driving their insurance premiums even higher, at a time when such costs are already skyrocketing.

Atlantic Canada’s small businesses say governments and law enforcement aren’t doing enough

Over half (55%) of business owners consistently file police reports, but only 30% are satisfied with police response times and services. Some business owners reported that the crimes they experienced, such as theft or vandalism, were “too small” for police to take action or that police wouldn’t come for hours or even days after being called in these cases.

To deal with safety concerns, half (50%) of small businesses adjusted their operations, such as shifting to appointment-only services, locking doors during business hours and/or leaving lights on overnight. Six in ten (64%) have invested in extra security measures such as surveillance cameras, window bars and security guards. 

A strong majority (81%) of business owners believe their tax dollars are not being used effectively to improve community safety, while 80% think that governments are failing to work together on these issues. To address these concerns and foster a sense of security, CFIB recommends that governments:

•    Address underlying issues contributing to crime, including affordable housing, mental health and addictions. 
•    Improve resources for small businesses including proactive funding for increased security, crime related repairs, and guidance, prevention and response strategies for business owners and their staff. 
•    Strengthen collaboration between all levels of government, non-profits, community organizations, and small businesses to develop evidence-based policies and programs to address crime and safety.

Governments should also improve safety in commercial areas and public spaces, develop an alternative approach to recidivism, and support diversity among insurance firms by reducing barriers to entry.

“Small businesses are bearing both the emotional and financial burden of increasing crime”, Gauthier concluded. “It’s time for all levels of government to step up, protect our communities, and ensure that every tax dollar spent makes a tangible difference in improving safety for small businesses and the people they serve.”

Read the full Broken Windows and Broken Trust: The Impact of Rising Crime on Small Business report.

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: 
Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB 
647-464-2814 
public.affairs@cfib.ca

About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region, including 10,200 in Atlantic Canada. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.