Securing Small Business Rebate

Program Timeline

• The program’s application portal will launch on November 22, 2023 and remain open until January 31, 2025. The portal will be linked on this page once it becomes available.
• Rebate applications are retroactive to January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024, and will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis.
• A rebate application, if successful, will be screened, reviewed, approved and paid in 35 business days, provided there is limited follow up with the applicant during the screening and review processes.
• Rebates will be issued to successful applicants via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) in the period December 2023-February 2025. For clarity:
  • Rebates in respect of the calendar year January 1, 2023-December 31, 2023, will be disbursed by March 31, 2024.
  • Rebates in respect of the calendar year January 1, 2024-December 31, 2024, will be disbursed by February 28, 2025.

Types of Rebates
The program offers two types of rebates and business may apply for both, if they choose. You may apply for a reparative rebate twice i.e. once for 2023 and once for 2024. You may apply for a preventative rebate only once i.e. in either 2023 or 2024.

1. Reparative Rebate

• Provides immediate relief to offset eligible reparative costs in respect of damage to eligible commercial property due to vandalism on or after January 1, 2023.
• Available as a one-time rebate of up to $2,000, per calendar year.
• Retroactive to January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.2.

2. Preventative Rebate

• Provides funding for eligible proactive/preventative measures to mitigate damage to eligible commercial property due to vandalism.
• Available as a one-time rebate of up to $1,000.
• Retroactive to January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for either rebate, businesses should be in good standing with the Province of British Columbia and should not have received an alternative, local rebate or grant to cover the same expense. "In good standing" is defined as: businesses should not be in arrears to the Province of BC for any taxes or other outstanding amounts.

1. Reparative Rebate
Application requirements

a. Applicants must have:

• A storefront in a B.C. community.
• Incurred property damage by vandalism on or after January 1, 2023.

b. Applicants must provide:

• Proof of damage, including:
  • Police file number associated with the incident; and
  • Photos of damage; and
  • Proof of insurance non-coverage or deductible amount if covered.
• Receipts from a registered business for completed repair work for damages incurred on or after January 1, 2023, clearly indicating equipment, supplies and labour costs.

Eligible reparative expenses

• Costs of repairing or replacing vandalized property not covered by insurance, including:
  • Window replacement
  • Lock replacement
  • Graffiti removal
  • Associated installation fees
  • Other
• Insurance deductibles to cover the cost of vandalized property including:
  • Window replacement
  • Lock replacement
  • Graffiti removal
  • Other

**Note: Expenses associated with theft or damaged inventory, supplies, equipment, and personal belongings inside the store are out of scope and do not qualify as eligible reparative expenses.

2. Preventative Rebate
Application requirements

a. Applicants must have:

• A storefront in a B.C. community.

b. Applicants must provide:

• Proof of damage caused by vandalism on or after January 1, 2023, to their business or a nearby business that demonstrates issues of vandalism in the community in which the business resides, such as:
  • Photos of damage; or
  • Police report, or
  • News article.
• Receipts from a registered business for completed preventative work clearly indicating equipment, supply, and labour costs.

Eligible preventative expenses

• Shatterproof glass or protective films
• Lock enhancements
• Impact protection attachment systems (for windows)
• Security gates or pull-down protection shutters
• Exterior lighting enhancement
• Cameras and recording/monitoring equipment
• Alarm and monitoring systems
• Anti-graffiti film, paints and/or coatings
• Installation fees associated with approved preventative updates
• Safety audits
• Other

**Note: Expenses associated with internal labour costs, cosmetic property enhancements, in-store equipment/furniture and items for non-business locations (i.e. residential/outside eligible areas), are out of scope and do not qualify as eligible preventative expenses.