In response to the growing concerns of property / commercial crime affecting businesses in both rural and urban areas across the province, the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation has introduced the Securing Small Business Rebate Program. This BC government program allocates $10.5 million to help small businesses in covering costs related to property damage caused by vandalism, and costs associated with implementing preventive security measures.

Run by the BC Chamber of Commerce, the program is being rolled out to a network of 100 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, along with various industry partners like Business Improvement Areas to reach small business owners.  

The rebate program consists of two parts:

Reparative Rebate:

• • Provides immediate financial relief for eligible reparative costs incurred due to vandalism on or after January 1, 2023.
  • Businesses can receive a one-time rebate of up to $2,000 per calendar year.
  • Retroactively applicable from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.

Preventative Rebate:

• • Offers funding for proactive measures aimed at mitigating damage to commercial properties from vandalism.
  • Businesses can receive a one-time rebate of up to $1,000.
  • Retroactively applicable from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for either rebate, businesses must meet the following:

• Located in areas zoned for commercial, business, or light industry use in British Columbia.
• Have an exterior entrance serving as the primary access point for customers and clients.
• Possess a B.C. Registration or Incorporation Number.
• Maintain good standing with the Province of British Columbia.
• Employ fewer than 50 individuals at the time of the incident or preventive work.
• Have not received an alternative local rebate, grant, or insurance claim (excluding insurance deductibles) for the same expense.

Reparative expenses cover immediate repair costs, while preventive expenses encompass various security enhancements such as shatterproof glass, locks, security lighting, cameras, alarm systems, and anti-graffiti measures.

Here’s a list of eligible preventative expenses.

• Shatterproof glass or protective films
• Locks
• Impact protection attachment systems (for windows)
• Exterior and interior security lighting
• Cameras and recording/monitoring equipment
• Alarm and monitoring system equipment
• Anti-graffiti film, paints and/or coatings
• Installation fees associated with approved preventative updates
• Physical security audit of the exterior of the building
• Other (including, but not limited to, security gates, pull-down protection shutters and/or permanent fencing)

While this covers some improvements that can be made to building security it doesn’t include other important security components such as ongoing service fees for alarm systems. 

To reach out and further explain the program the BC government is holding a virtual information meeting on May, 7, 2024 11.00am-12.00pm. This webinar is designed to help small businesses prepare and submit a rebate application - register for the event.

If you’re a small business in BC looking to improve your building security or recovering from a break-in or act of vandalism, we recommend that you discuss your situation with one of our security specialists at Sonitrol. 

We can audit your premises and recommend a comprehensive security system that includes intrusion detection alarms, building access control & management, verified video surveillance and more. Upgrades you make to physical security such as windows or doors, building restoration from vandalism, additional fencing, lighting etc. may be eligible for the rebate program. Your Sonitrol rep can help you determine the best changes to make to improve your overall building security, and the best Sonitrol security system to install for the ongoing protection of your business.