Latest news with #businesscommunity
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Business group 'cautiously optimistic' over $5M B.C. public safety program
British Columbia has launched a new $5 million public safety program aimed at reducing robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and other non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas. Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said the program is a "direct result" of feedback from police and the business community across the province. "We heard loud and clear what they wanted," Yung told Friday's news conference in Vancouver. "Street-level crime such as theft, robbery [are] undermining businesses and making it sometimes untenable for them to be around." Yung said the initiative will help police address repeat offenders, building on the work of the "highly successful" Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement program, which is aimed at stopping those who commit violent crimes. WATCH | Retailers call for crackdown on street crime: Retailers call on government to address public safety crisis 2 years ago Duration 2:02 In Vancouver, he said the specialized investigation program contributed to a 27-per-cent decrease in violent crimes in the Hastings Crossing area of the Downtown Eastside and a 45-per-cent drop in violent assaults involving weapons in the Gastown neighbourhood. The minister said the B.C. RCMP is administering the new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement program and police departments across the province may apply for funding by submitting proposals for reducing non-violent street crime. The province has allocated up to $5 million to launch the initiative, though Yung said the money is "a start." The B.C. government will continue to support policing while waiting for results from the program before deciding the next steps, he said. "But that doesn't preclude other investments the province is making in terms of housing, in terms of health care, mental health, drug addiction treatment, poverty reduction and other social service agencies that we're funding," he said. "We can't just arrest our way out of crime ... We have to look at the undercurrents of what [is] causing this to happen." B.C. public safety officials are also "watching carefully" as the federal government considers bail reform to address repeat offending, Yung added. "We are looking forward to seeing what concrete changes are coming from the new government," he said. A statement from the province said the program will provide police with "enhanced tools, technology and investigative resources to curb property crimes." It will also support police as they develop co-ordinated operational plans that involve businesses, outreach teams and social services, the statement said. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat told the news conference the new program is "a step forward" and another tool for police to use in combatting street-level crime by repeat offenders that is "eroding a sense of safety" in communities across B.C. She said police departments may seek funding to increase patrols in areas with high levels of retail theft or to address drug trafficking in downtown areas. Mehat said the initiative supports a "combined response" to crime, including connecting people in crisis with supports. Bryan Tepper, the B.C. Conservative MLA for Surrey-Panorama and Opposition critic for community safety and integrated services, said he welcomed the extra funding for police, as a former Mountie himself. However, he questioned whether more funding for police alone would help address street crime, saying that more funding should have gone toward a court system that is struggling to process the high volume of cases coming its way. "They're not sentencing people to anything that is going to deter in the future, or that's going to help people with their ... drugs and addiction and mental health issues," he told CBC News, calling for bail reform to deal with repeat offenders. Retailers welcome program The general manager of loss prevention with London Drugs, Tony Hunt, also took part in the announcement, saying crime was "driving fear into families and workers" and threatening the viability of jobs and entire neighbourhoods. "Retail and service workers who make up the backbone of our country's labour force are facing aggressive behaviour, organized retail crime, and both violent and non-violent repeat offenders," he said. Retailers are "spending more than ever before" on security, he added. Hunt said he welcomed the province's new safety initiative as a "meaningful step forward" in supporting local efforts to reduce crime and build community safety. Kalith Nanayakkara, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that an average small business spent $5,000 over the last three years to deal with vandalism and street crime. "Last year, 57 per cent of small businesses in B.C. were impacted by crime in some way," he told CBC News.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
PM Sharif tells business leaders private sector key to economy ahead of June 10 budget
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in driving economic development, asserting that a robust public-private partnership was essential for the country's emergence as a strong global economy. Sharif made these remarks during a meeting with presidents of chambers of commerce from across the nation, coinciding with the government's announcement to present the next federal budget on June 10. The government has consistently stressed the need for the private sector to lead in strengthening the national economy, assuring it of state support. Sharif reiterated this stance, highlighting the necessity of collaboration between the government and private enterprises in the country. 'There is a need to mobilize the private sector to achieve economic self-reliance,' the Prime Minister's Office quoted him as saying during the meeting. 'Protecting the rights of the Pakistani business community and providing them with a conducive environment for profitable business are among the top priorities of the government,' he continued. Sharif also pledged to reduce the cost of doing business in Pakistan, noting that measures were being implemented to facilitate access to loans and reduce electricity prices. Addressing tax compliance, he emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward tax evasion. Pakistan has historically one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the region. The government has tried to addressed the situation by reforming its tax collection body through increased automation to improve collection and compliance. The official statement said the delegation of business leaders commended the government's economic policies, citing gradual improvements in the national economy and business environment. They also presented budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. Pakistan is scheduled to release a comprehensive economic survey for the outgoing fiscal year on June 9, only a day ahead of the budget preparation.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Small businesses worry about looming Canada Post strike
Only months after a 32-day Canada Post strike, many local businesses are worried about the impact of another work stoppage. CTV's Katelyn Wilson reports.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
36% growth in value of certificates of origin issued by Ajman Chamber during Q1 2025
The Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry recorded a 36% growth in the value of certificates of origin issued during the first quarter of 2025, with a total value reaching AED1.89 billion, compared to AED1.39 billion during the same period in 2024. The number of certificates issued was 11,698. Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser Al Nuaimi, Director of the Members Affairs Department at the Ajman Chamber, confirmed that this growth reflects the strength of the industrial and trade sectors in the emirate. He described it as a clear indicator of the continuous growth in export activities and economic performance. He attributed these results to the support of the wise leadership and the integration between the entities involved in the economic sector, in addition to the fruitful cooperation between the public and private sectors, which enhances Ajman's position as a vital economic hub at both the national and regional levels. He also affirmed the chamber's commitment to developing its service system by adopting the latest technological systems and providing innovative solutions that meet the aspirations of the business community. This goes hand in hand with ongoing cooperation with government entities to streamline procedures, stimulate local exports, and boost their competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Times
Resetting our relationship with the EU should be a no-brainer
Tomorrow, the government will fire the starting gun on the development of a new relationship with the European Union, with UK and EU leaders meeting for their first formal summit since Brexit. It cannot come soon enough. It's no secret that the business community was seriously sceptical about Brexit. Businesses thrive when they have open access to markets and as few trade barriers as possible. The form of Brexit we currently live with — however you cut it — is the opposite of that. It has made it harder for us to trade with our largest, closest and most important partner. A chocolate manufacturer recently told me they can get their products into the US in two days, but France can take up to two
