Advocating for You

We take great pride in the prominent role we play in policy development within the Chamber movement. Senior levels of government look to the Chamber community for leadership and innovation in a broad range of policy areas. We are very active in policy development municipally, provincially, and federally, and always represent the concerns and issues faced by the Tri-Cities’ business community. We are the voice of business in the Tri-Cities. Below are a number of issues the Tri-Cities Chamber has advocated on in the past.

2018

Electoral Reform Referendum

OUR POSITION
Chamber releases an Issue Notice with information on the Referendum. Read More
Chamber hosts panel discussion between pro-PR and pro-FPTP groups. Read More
Chamber issues statement on referendum results. Read More

Employer Health Tax

OUR POSITION
Chamber releases updated EHT Backgrounder. Read More
Chamber adds a recommendation to, and endorses, a BC Chamber policy resolution to scrap the EHT. The resolution also contains amendment recommendations if the EHT is not scrapped. Read More
Chamber hosts BC Minister of Finance Carole James. Read More

Commercial Property Tax Spikes

OUR POSITION
Chamber sends letter to our local MLA, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Selina Robinson, asking for assistance with commercial property tax spikes in the Austin Heights neighbourhood of Coquitlam.
The Chamber shares a package of recommendations with the B.C. Small Business Task Force (SBTF) under the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, which includes a recommendation to investigate the feasibility of split assessments for commercial properties. See here for SBTF engagement summary paper delivered to the Minister.
Chamber supports a BC Chamber resolution that offers recommendations do deal with commercial property tax spikes. Read More

Cannabis Industry in the Tri-Cities

OUR POSITION
Chamber hosts a Cannabis Panel as part of its 2018 Economic Summit. For event details, including speakers, click here. For Tri-City news coverage of the event, click here.

Employment Standards Act

OUR POSITION
Chamber hosts BC Minister of Labour Harry Bains for roundtable discussion. Read More.
Chamber sends letter submission sharing members’ concerns with changes to sick leave and statutory holiday laws.
Chamber hosts B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson and MLA for Coquitlam – Burke Mountain Joan Isaacs for a round table discussion. Read More.
Chamber shares a template letter that businesses can use to share their concerns with changes to sick leave and statutory holiday pay eligibility. The letter is shared widely around the province, including by the BC Chamber of Commerce. Read More.

Minimum Wage

OUR POSITION
The Chamber endorses a BC Chamber resolution calling for more stable and predictable minimum wage increases by pegging them Consumer Price Index. Read More

2015

Renewing Riverview

Renewing Riverview Sub-Committee Report

2014

Bailey Bridge

OUR POSITION
Chamber applauds TransLink for keeping New West trucking routes open. Read more
Chamber Policy Update: Bridges and Rivers. Read more
Chamber pleased with Province’s involvement in bailey bridge solution. Read more
Chamber pleased with arbitrator’s decision on bailey bridge. Read more

Bylaw 280

OUR POSITION
Bylaw 280 damaging to business in Metro Vancouver. Read more
Tri-Cities Chamber votes for reforms to local government, waste management and Property Transfer Tax. Read more

Evergreen Line

OUR POSITION
What the Evergreen Line Means for the Tri-Cities. Read more
Changing Tri-Cities. Read more
Chamber supports funding arrangement for Lincoln Station. Read more

Fraser River

OUR POSITION
Chamber supports report focused on economic importance and risks of Fraser River. Read more
Chamber Policy Update: Bridges and Rivers. Read more

Mayors Council Transportation Plan

OUR POSITION
Chamber applauds Mayors’ Council Regional Transportation Plan for Lower Mainland. Read more
Tri-Cities Chamber supports Better Transit & Transportation Coalition & Mayors Council referendum question. Read more

MMBC

OUR POSITION
Chambers Welcomes Changes to Recycling Regulations. Read more
Policy Alert: Your Business, Your Money. Recycling Regulations Could Cost You a Bundle. Read more

Transmountain Pipeline

OUR POSITION
BC Chamber responds to Kinder Morgan decision to suspend activity on Trans Mountain expansion project. Read more
Chamber welcomes Kinder Morgan President as keynote speaker. Read more