Two B.C. Conservative MLAs are demanding action from the province after a series of arsons that have ravaged Prince George’s downtown core.
In a letter to NDP Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger, representatives have asked her to review the current bail system as well as schedule a meeting with local business leaders to discuss a clear plan of action, among other bullet points.
Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Kiel Giddens told Vista Radio that a different approach to crime is long overdue.
“We have had a government that has been too soft on crime, they have been indifferent to consequences, and the catch-and-release policies are not helping anyone. Businesses have called the fact that recently those who are linked to these arsons are let out right away. This is unacceptable.”
Giddens added that when business owners fall victim to an arson or major fire, they often face an uphill battle to get re-insured.
“Many of these businesses have told us that they have a hard time obtaining insurance in the downtown core entirely, and it’s a big reason why we have heard the downtown business association is considering asking the city to implement a State of Local Emergency.”
Prince George-North Cariboo MLA, Sheldon Clare, added that several failed policies and misspending from the governing NDP have gotten us to this point.
“With its foolish safe supply and fentanyl distributing activities, which are building a drug crisis and economic deprivation and building poverty, and it is pretty clear there is no plan to get out of it.”
“We need to look at compassionate involuntary care and making sure that people who are responsible for these situations are getting appropriately punished and treated, and that the province understands that it has created this crisis.”
“Declared or not, this is an emergency. We are seeing major buildings getting torched, we are seeing vandalism going after businesses again and again, and again. We are seeing a crisis in housing that is affecting people throughout our region, and it’s time to take some concrete action to make this better,” added Clare.
PG’s downtown business association is also asking local and provincial officials to declare a State of Local Emergency to deal with the matter.
Prince George-Valemount MLA Roslyn Bird also signed off on the recommendations.
A link to the letter can be found at the bottom.
Downtown Business Support Letter from MLAs Bird, Clare, and Giddens.docx
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