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.
2020
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
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
2013
Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business License
2005 – 2007
Preservation of Riverview Lands for Mental Health & Wellness
Fast-Tracking Foreign Credential Recognition
Revisions to Property Transfer Tax
Elimination of PST on Legal Services
If you would like more information on any of the above policies or our current advocacy efforts, please email Alex King, Public Policy Advisor at .