I’m disturbed by C-Tran’s heartlessness towards business owners. It’s unsettling that a government agency can indiscriminately ruin a legal Vancouver resident’s business. Then, when the business can no longer function as the type of business it was designed, officials have the audacity to tell them to apply for a change in business type.
C-Tran has gone against the people’s will many times. C-Tran wasted the sales tax increase. A large raise was given in 2015 to Jeff Hamm, C-Tran’s executive director. This raise wasn’t even in the explanation of why they wanted a tax increase. Another example is the Fourth Plain bus rapid transit, rejected in an advisory vote by the people, yet C-Tran is still installing it.
Now we read in a Dec. 19 story, “The Vine intervention: Downtown businesses frustrated by C-Tran construction project’s impact on bottom line,” that two legitimate businesses may have to close or apply for a change in business type.
I don’t believe C-Tran’s bullying should be tolerated. Businesses have gone through considerable amount of permits and fees to open the business of their choice. If C-Tran’s endeavors cause a legal business financial loss, C-Tran should be liable for the loss.
