The number of Alberta businesses who say they’ve been affected by crime and safety issues increased 30 percentage points over the past year, a new report says.
The data, results from a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), show the share of Alberta small businesses affected by these issues went from 24 per cent in 2023 to 54 per cent in 2024 — an increase of 30 percentage points.
The data comes as various levels of government attempt to tackle the issue of social disorder, primarily in downtown cores in Canadian cities such as Calgary.
Vandalism, theft, waste and litter were the most common type of crime Alberta businesses experience.
Businesses have meanwhile spent a median of $5,750 for expenses related to replacing stolen inventory or equipment and vandalism repairs. (It did not say how much businesses would typically pay in earlier years for the same expenses.)
“For small businesses, it’s devastating when they are hit by crime over and over again,” said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB senior policy analyst and report co-author.
More to come…
— With files from Bill Kaufmann