BC Chamber Caucus Brings Issues to Canadian Chamber: 9/26/2019
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BC Chamber Caucus Brings Key Election Issues to Canadian Chamber AGM
Delegation from BC puts key policies on federal agenda at national gathering of business leaders
(SAINT JOHN), September 26, 2019— The BC Chamber and 16 regional BC chambers and boards of trade attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM last week, passing more policies than any other province.
Of the 27 policies submitted by the BC network, 23 passed and will become part of the Canadian Chamber’s Policy and Positions Manual for 2019/2020—which drives the national associations’ advocacy efforts with the federal government.
The BC delegation passed key policies in the following areas, with the stated recommendations to the federal government:
Rental Housing (submitted by the Kelowna Chamber):
- Drive investment in new rental housing stock by providing accelerated capital cost allowance on new rental properties.
- Amend the Income Tax Act to encourage private investment in rental housing.
- Remove the GST for new rental housing
Childcare (co-sponsored by the Surrey Board of Trade):
- Enhance childcare quality, and address the sector’s recruitment and retention crisis
Gender diversity on boards (submitted by the Burnaby Board of Trade):
- Require Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System to consider gender diversity for all board vacancies.
- Amend the Canada Business Corporations Act to require public companies to consider gender diversity for all board vacancies.
New softwood lumber agreement (submitted by the BC Chamber of Commerce)
- Help with tariffs by offering the industry WTO compliant loan guarantees to help maintain credit and borrow against cash deposits
- Expedite World Trade Organization and NAFTA appeals as needed
- Leverage recent favourable NAFTA rulings to push for a new Softwood Lumber Agreement with the United States.
Align the Species at Risk Act to Respond to Regional Conservation Needs (co-sponsored by Salmon Arm and Sicamous Chambers)
- Drive an alternative, multi-species approach that considers variability between regions.
- Engage with Indigenous communities and stakeholders to develop and implement Section 11 Conservation Agreements.
Leaders from more than 300 chambers of commerce across Canada submitted and voted on 76 proposals to improve Canada’s business environment.
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About
The BC Chamber is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in the province. Representing more than 125 Chambers of Commerce and 36,000 businesses of every size, sector and region of the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce is “To Know What’s on BC’s Mind.”
The BC caucus at the Canadian Chamber AGM included representation from the following regional BC chambers/boards of trade:
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce; BC Chamber of Commerce; Burnaby Board of Trade; Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce; Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce; Delta Chamber of Commerce; Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce; Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce; Greater Vancouver Board of Trade; Kamloops Chamber of Commerce; Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce; Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce; Richmond Chamber of Commerce; Surrey Board of Trade; Terrace & District Chamber of Commerce; Whistler Chamber of Commerce.
Contact:
Alexandra Skinner
Director of Communications, BC Chamber of Commerce
askinner@bcchamber.org
604 209-4399 |
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