VICTORIA — The Liberals’ reckless hydro rate hike will force small business owners in greater Victoria to either soak up the increase or make families pay even more for hydro by rolling the hike into the price of goods and services, say the New Democrats.

“Small businesses rely on stability, but the Liberal government is instead hitting them with hydro rate hikes, said New Democrat small business critic Lana Popham. “The Clark Liberals are clearly not listening to the real concerns of small businesses, which are the backbone of not only the economy but of communities.

“The Liberal government is out of touch with the everyday shop owners of this province. Small businesses shouldn’t have to pay the price for Liberal mismanagement of B.C. Hydro.”

The next rate hike – 9 per cent – comes into effect April 1. It will be followed by a 6-per-cent hike in 2015.

Popham said this hydro rate hike for small businesses was likely another ill-conceived Liberal surprise, and it’s doubtful they brought forth any helpful solutions for owners ahead of time at the small business roundtable.

She said the rate hike is just the latest Liberal assault on the bottom lines of Vancouver Island small businesses already reeling from ferry fare hikes that have put a damper on tourist traffic to coastal communities.

“To top it all off, the day before the next round of rate hikes come into effect, the Live Smart program expires,” said Popham, the MLA for Saanich South. “It was a program that helped small businesses to be energy-efficient and save money. Refusing to support it, along with these rate hikes, will be a double wallop for small businesses.”

Frederick Roesner, owner of Eclectic Hair Studio, said, “This rate hike is incredibly tough on my business. I’m left with the uncomfortable choice of passing on the increased cost to my customers – which is never good business – or absorbing it into my bottom line.”