Advocacy

The BC Chamber of Commerce has released its 2024-2025 Policies & Positions Manual, for use as an advocacy playbook by its member Chambers and Boards of Trade across the province, including the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. The document contains 41 policy resolutions approved at the provincial association’s Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Kelowna in May, attended by Tri-Cities Chamber Board Vice Chair Jennifer McKinnon and CEO Leslie Courchesne.

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has joined more than 115 chambers of commerce, boards of trade, and associations across Canada to express deep concern over a potential work stoppage at our country’s major railways.

The Tri-Cities Chamber calls for a swift solution to the funding challenges at TransLink, as detailed in a report issued yesterday. “We need a solution right now, before the unthinkable cuts outlined in this report become a nightmarish reality,” said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber.

Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Board Vice Chair Jennifer McKinnon and CEO Leslie Courchesne joined representatives from chambers and boards of trade across the province for the BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and Conference, May 28 to 30.

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce hosted its Economic Summit last week in Coquitlam, with 100 business and community leaders in attendance posing questions to the guest speakers.

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.”