A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has found that half of small business owners say crime has increased in their community, while only two per cent saw a decrease. However, a sampling of small business owners in Greater Sudbury, Ont., indicated they are not overly concerned about the trend. Downtown merchants report few major incidents Small businesses in downtown Sudbury told CTV News that they are ‘no stranger to crime,’ but it has not been a major problem for their stores. Gary Robicheau, the owner of Robi’s Legacy Furnishings, said he has been on Durham Street since 1988. “There’s always been, you know, crime of some sort happening, but it’s never interfered with my business,” he said. Robicheau said he does take steps to secure his business, such as having security cameras. Break-in becomes a learning experience for new shop Ajmerry Houssian is the co-owner of Noukify, a six-month-old store in Sudbury. “We are very lucky that we had our stall here or shop here in the proper downtown space, but it is very unfortunate that we went through that event, so one day we came like, and we saw like, someone broke our glass, one of our glass door glass,” Houssian said. She told CTV News that it was reported to the police and that it was a learning experience. The store now keeps the lights on overnight and has purchased CCTV cameras as a prevention measure. Houssian said the safety measures have added up on their electricity bill. National data shows growing pressure on businesses The CFIB could not provide any northern-specific data but called on national statistics, saying crime and safety issues are adding more pressure to small businesses, and they hope policymakers will make changes. “A lot of the time, these things take a toll out of their financial bottom line for small businesses, especially for smaller businesses, that don’t have the resources, let’s say a major grocer would,” said SeoRhin Yoo, a senior policy analyst with the CFIB. “For businesses in the long term, right now, Canada, we’re seeing an entrepreneurial drought, which just means that we’re seeing more business exits than we’re seeing openings. Crime and safety issues – this is just fuel that adds to the fire of all of this.” Downtown’s ‘new facelift’ offers hope Though some small crimes may be a concern for business owners, many of the owners who spoke to by CTV News said they love being a part of the downtown community and hope to see more small businesses take a chance on the location. “I think the downtown is getting a new facelift and a lot of positive things are happening,” said Robicheau, as he mentioned new people moving into his building. “Every city’s downtown is the heart. So, definitely downtown will be Sudbury’s heart because the city is taking on a lot of good projects downtown,” said Thsim Jaman, the other co-owner of Noukify. “We encourage other business owners (to open downtown), too. Definitely, because the last six months’ experience is very good for us.”
