Freedom Flyer January 1987 Cover

Freedom Flyer 9

the official newsletter of the
Freedom Party of Ontario

January 1987




Article electronically reproduced from:

The Hamilton Spectator

Article date unknown


Merchants meet anti-BIA group

Photo caption: Marc Emery, left, talks with Sid Schlifer, owner of Barrs Luggage and Accessories.
Marc Emery and Sid Schlifer

By SHELLY EASTON
The Spectator

THE PAMPHLET says business improvement areas are hazardous to business people's financial health.

And some merchants along James Street North couldn't agree more.

The issue of whether a business improvement area is beneficial or a tax drain has been simmering in the James Street North area all year. Now a provincial political party has taken up the cause, denouncing BIAs as another form of government interference in private business.

Two members of the Freedom Party spent yesterday afternoon distributing pamphlets and talking to about 200 James Street North merchants about their business improvement area, known as Jamesville.

Marc Emery explained his party, created three years ago in London, is opposed to business improvement areas because they infringe on the rights of individual businessmen.

He said the groups become a threat to merchants' independence and financial stability.

"BIA taxes are out of control," said Mr. Emery, citing as an example a London business where BIA taxes increased $280 in five years.

A member of a London BIA for six years, the 27-year-old bookshop owner said the BIA idea was laudable but unworkable.

He said once a retail area is designated, merchants must pay special taxes for area improvements over which they have little say and can't avoid.

Merchants cannot abolish a business improvement area and are forced to be members, Mr. Emery said.

"We believe that people should be able to choose the associations they belong to," he added.

Party members plan to canvass other Hamilton BIAs in January and Mr. Emery said a Freedom Party candidate will probably run in the next provincial election.

Sid Schlifer, owner of Barrs Luggage and Accessories, told Mr. Emery he considers the Jamesville BIA ineffective.

"We're forced to be part of it," said Mr. Schlifer, who has operated for 10 years on James Street. "Nothing is fixed up here."

Sidewalk improvements have proven a safety hazard and the lack of lighting does not entice shoppers after dark, he said.

Ron Boyko, a vociferous opponent of the James Street BIA, said the Freedom Party's platform echoes his concerns.

"Everything they had in their pamphlet, we've been harping on," said Mr. Boyko, owner of Mike's Drycleaning, adding he would consider voting for a Freedom Party candidate.

Jamesville BIA president Doug Robbins said the party's literature should be examined and if true legislation should be changed.

"It's interesting but it's not going to cause us any serious problems at this time. If (the allegations) are true, we need reform."




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