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BC Chamber marks key wins for business


The BC Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the B.C. government for tabling a fifth consecutive balanced budget. The budget shows a continued commitment to fiscal discipline with an on-going focus to completely pay down the provincial operating debt by 2020.

Over the last year, the BC Chamber has been working to move the dial on several key issues for B.C.'s business community – and our advocacy work, done in partnership with regional chambers and boards of trade, has paid off on a number of key fronts, including the recent provincial budget. 

Here are a few highlights:
 
Public Finance & Taxation
  • The government proposed eliminating the Medical Service Premium – a policy that the BC Chamber network voted into force in 2016. This was also a central feature of our recommendations to the Commission on Tax Competitiveness and to the Select Standing Committee.
  • The government endorsed the Tax Commission’s recommendation for a broad public consultation and engagement with the public on changes to the outdated and uncompetitive PST.
 
Housing Affordability
  • The provincial government increased the property transfer tax threshold from $475,000 to $500,000 – which, while not as high as our recommendation, shows that the government is committed to improving housing affordability for British Columbians.
  • The Federal government reduced anti-dumping duties on U.S. drywall imports being used in Western Canada – an initiative the BC Chamber supported local chambers in advocating for.
 Healthy Communities
  • A one-year pause in the phase-out of the small business exemption for credit unions – which is a significant, albeit temporary, win for rural communities in BC where oftentimes the only financial institution investing in local businesses and entrepreneurs is a credit union.
  • The province invested $20 million for 2,000 new childcare spaces – which is in line with our 2016 policy.
 
Resource Development
  • The budget included another extension to the Mining Flow-Through Share tax credit measures – which will help encourage investment into the industry.

2017 BC Provincial Election Survey

The BC Chamber of Commerce is committed to driving insights to our partners, government and each other.

In pursuit of this goal, we are seeking to know what’s on B.C.'s mind for the upcoming 2017 Provincial Election.

We want to ensure that we capture a pan-provincial outlook, and your help is integral to achieving this goal!

The survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete. We appreciate your time in helping the BC Chamber get business done in our province.

Click here to access the survey.

BC Chamber AGM & Conference


Registration is now open for the 2017 BC Chamber AGM & Conference.

REGISTER NOW
to take advantage of early bird pricing - Click here.

This year's theme is Growing the People that Power BC
 

When: Thursday, May 25 to Saturday, May 27

Where: Victoria Conference Centre

For updates on the AGM please refer to our website.

BC Chamber welcomes ride sharing decision as Province endeavors to modernize taxi industry

 

The BC Chamber applauds the provincial government for today’s announcement that ride sharing services, like Uber and Lyft, will be coming to B.C. in time for the holidays this year.

Read our full press release here

Read about our position on the News 1130 website

Hear from our Director of Policy Development Dan Baxter on CFAX-1070

Planting a ‘seed’ to grow our economy

 

A couple of weeks ago, BC Hydro announced a new idea that caught our attention at the BC Chamber of Commerce. It’s an idea that will create jobs and power businesses in downtown Vancouver.
 
BC Hydro is calling the idea ‘seed’. It’s an innovative approach to meeting the future energy needs of downtown Vancouver, while maintaining the city’s reputation as one of the greenest, most livable places in the world.

Read the full article here.

BC Chamber - In the News

 

Survey says tourism will dominate economy

Fernie Chamber of Commerce executive director Patty Vadnais said this is good news for Fernie. “[BC Chamber of Commerce] does a great job of marketing the province to the world,” she said. “And that makes our job easier.”

READ MORE
Copyright © 2016 BC Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
1201 - 750 W. Pender St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 2T8

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