BC Conservative candidate John Coupar proposes tax relief for businesses along Broadway subway line

John Coupar, the BC Conservative candidate for Vancouver-Little Mountain, is pledging to bring relief to businesses impacted by the construction of Vancouver’s Broadway Subway Line.

“For four years, businesses along Broadway have been dealing with construction that has impacted their bottom line,” said John Coupar. “The NDP have ignored this issue for too long. After several delays and no three-year completion date, it is time to bring relief to these businesses.”

BC Conservative government will provide a tax break for businesses on Broadway experiencing a decline in sales due to the subway construction, he added. Businesses located on Broadway Avenue between Commercial Drive and Arbutus Street will be eligible for a 15% tax reduction until the completion of the Broadway subway extension–currently set to open in 2027.

“Building transit is important, but our small and medium-sized businesses shouldn’t have to suffer to get that done,” says John Rustad. “By the time this project is done, these businesses will have had seven years of decreased sales due to this construction. David Eby and the radical NDP may think it is ok to ask them to suck that up, but I sure don’t. We will bring them relief now when they need it most.”

Coupar noted that since construction began, many businesses have experienced significant declines in sales, with many having to move locations in hopes of staying afloat.

“Customers have had difficulty getting to businesses along Broadway due to the construction, which isn’t going to end anytime soon. Some businesses have seen half their normal customer volume, which is just too much for them ,” says Neil Wyles, head of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area. “This relief from John Rustad and the Conservative Party of British Columbia will give these businesses the real tax relief they need to hold on until the subway extension is complete.