Dear Editor,
It is beyond disappointing that despite multiple attempts to raise concerns about the Pattullo Bridge replacement project’s impact on local businesses, there has been no action from the premier or the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. Their last communication assured me that a response was forthcoming, yet two months later, nothing has changed or communicated to our business community.
This is not the first time I have raised this issue—it is simply the latest in a long series of ignored requests. During the election, the premier promised to reset the government’s relationship with the business community, but the ongoing silence proves that those commitments were empty words.
What’s most frustrating is that the government has been through this before. The disruptions caused by the Cambie Corridor construction and the ongoing Broadway project were clear examples of how poor planning and lack of business support can devastate local economies. Have no lessons been learned? Infrastructure projects cannot come at the cost of small businesses.
This isn’t just about offering token incentives after the damage is done—it’s about real collaboration and transparency from the start. Businesses need a seat at the table, not just vague assurances. The government should be actively working with us to implement meaningful solutions, such as tax breaks, subsidies, and media campaigns to drive customers back to affected areas.
Right now, traffic congestion in Sapperton and downtown New Westminster is a disaster. Customers are avoiding the area, access is limited, and businesses are suffering. If this government truly values small businesses, it must act—before more of them are forced to close their doors permanently.
- Alejandro Diaz, owner of El Santo in New Westminster
