Advocacy

Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland unveiled the 2024 Federal Budget yesterday in Ottawa.

“We know this budget comes at a time of highly complex challenges for Canada, but we are increasingly concerned with the rising national debt and what that will mean for our local businesses and communities in the years ahead,” said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. “Increasing the tax burden on business to fuel government spending will hinder the economic growth that our country so desperately needs.”

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce hosted a roundtable discussion focused on the BC economy, housing, trade, manufacturing, supply chains, regulatory challenges and related issues. The BC Minister of State for Trade Jagrup Brar, and Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Fin Donnelly heard concerns and fielded questions, before visiting several Tri-Cities businesses with Chamber CEO Leslie Courchesne.

In today’s increasingly complex and challenging economic landscape, it’s more important than ever for businesses to have a strong network of support and resources. That’s where local chambers of commerce and boards of trade come in. We serve as powerful allies for businesses of all sizes, providing invaluable advocacy, benefits and opportunities for growth and success.

The provincial government unveiled the 2024 BC Budget today in Victoria.

“The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see the BC Budget include some tangible cost-savings for businesses, including a cut to the Employer Health Tax that we have long been advocating for,” said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber. “We also welcome the much needed investments in health care, housing, and education. But the rise in the province’s budgeted and planned deficit over the next three years is simply staggering.”

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 Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is urging a swift end to the labour dispute that has halted bus and SeaBus service across the region.

“Our local businesses have suffered far too many disruptions and challenges over the past few years, and this transit strike is yet another brutal blow to our local economy,” said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has released its ‘What We Heard’ findings for its Inclusive Growth Dialogue collaborations with the Tri-Cities and Guelph Chambers of Commerce earlier this fall.

Last week, the federal government released its Fall Economic Statement. While there were some positive announcements for business, an extension to the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayment deadline was not one of them.

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is urging local businesses and community members to sign the online petition urging the federal government to extend the partial loan forgiveness deadline for CEBA (Canadian Emergency Business Account) small business loans.

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce applauds the BC Government’s vandalism rebate program to help small businesses with the costs of repairing broken glass, removing graffiti, and vandalism prevention measures. Starting November 22, businesses will be able to apply for up to $5,000 from the $10.5 million fund.