Tri-Cities Chamber advocates for key priorities to help local businesses in 2024 federal budget

(TRI-CITIES) February 21, 2024 — The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is clearly outlining its priorities for the upcoming 2024 Federal Budget for local Members of Parliament.

"The Tri-Cities Chamber urges our locally elected MPs to work toward a budget that will support business, particularly SMEs, that are the backbone of our economy," said Leslie Courchesne, CEO of the Tri-Cities Chamber. "As we continue to face economic challenges and uncertainties, Ottawa must create the conditions for businesses to thrive, and communities to flourish."

The key issues highlighted by the Chamber for Canada's Budget 2024 include:

1. Ease the burden of doing business through:
   • Accelerating regulatory modernization
   • Reducing interprovincial trade barriers
   • No new taxes
   • Targeted support for struggling SMEs
2. Housing availability, affordability, and homelessness
3. Invest in the Tri-Cities and Metro Vancouver's urgent transit expansion needs, as outlined in the Access for Everyone plan
4. Reinstate the Canada Digital Adoption Program "Boost your Business Technology" grants that were suddenly and unexpectedly cancelled a year earlier than planned
5. Ensure reliable supply chains through:
   • Committing to long-term investment through a Canada Trade Infrastrurcture Plan
   • Expand abilities to head off preventable threats to supply chains
6. Attract, develop and retain talent by:
   • Aligning skills-based immigration programs with regional labour needs
   • Enhanced upskilling and reskilling
   • Expediting foreign qualification recognition.

Many of these priorities align with those of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, of which the Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member.

Courchesne met with MP McKinnon at the Tri-Cities Chamber office in Coquitlam on February 21. Read the Chamber's letter to MP McKinnon here and letter to MP Bonita Zarrillo here. The 2024 Federal Budget is expected to be released by early April.

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Since 1971, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has been the largest business association serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, now representing 1,300+ organizations from every sector. The Chamber works to foster economic development, provide connections and benefits, and influence public policy at all levels of government to ensure strong business and strong communities. The Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.

For more information, contact:

Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
ceo@tricitieschamber.com
604.468.6870