Social problems have become a major issue for businesses in the central core which are represented by Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc.

DMCI executive director Patrick Richard told Moncton Council that things such as drug problems and homelessness are top of mind.

“There’s a few different groups of business owners that are mobilizing at the moment and trying to see what they can do and how they can work in collaboration with the different levels of government,” said Richard.

Councillor Shawn Crossman, a member of the DMCI board of directors, is urging council to help DMCI address ongoing issues and noted that priorities are important.

“Downtown businesses are really concerned about theft, homelessness, drug abuse, open air drug use, more than they are concerned about a garbage can that’s half full that may be getting close to full.”

Richard appeared before city council this week seeking approval for the 2023 Special Business Improvement Levy of $929,049 which forms a significant portion of DMCI’s annual operating budget.

DMCI has four full-time employees and Richard also noted two workers have been hired through Harvest House to help clean up the downtown area.

Moncton Council will consider the DMCI budget levy at the December 5 regular public meeting.