Dear Editor:
RE: City of North Vancouver Bans New Currency Exchanges at Street Level
I am writing in response to the recent zoning bylaw passed by the City of North Vancouver, which restricts new money service businesses (MSBs) from opening in street-level storefronts.
The North Vancouver Chamber commends the strategic efforts of the city to build successful commercial streets that are vibrant and varied. Developing and implementing zoning policy is a challenging endeavor which we continue to support. But, in this case, we feel that singling out MSBs for specific restrictions may have unintended consequences.
There are many other business types (attractive or not) in the city that are also growing or shrinking in numbers for many different reasons, so to single one out does not seem fair.
Our organization represents and works with businesses of all sizes across our community to help them succeed. We believe that a level playing field is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities for existing and potential businesses, while also maintaining confidence in the community’s investment environment. We also believe in universal rules over ad-hoc rules for specific business types.
When businesses can rely on consistent policies, they are more likely to take the risks to make long-term investments, create jobs, and contribute to the overall economic growth of our community.
Patrick Stafford-Smith
CEO, North Vancouver Chamber
