BC Chamber of Commerce Unveils Its Election Priorities
By Contributor
With the provincial election officially underway, the BC Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the top ten policy priorities its members believe are critical for the next Government of British Columbia to action to help create a healthy business environment. The policies reflect the daily challenges local businesses face and what they need – a reduced cost of doing business, improved community safety and housing supply, and improved infrastructure – and provide practical and meaningful solutions.
“As voters consider their choices in the next election, it is important for political parties to understand the priorities of the business community and articulate how they will address the issues that are of highest concern.” said Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “We are calling on the next provincial government to bring renewed focused to these issues and to facilitate economic growth and create opportunities for British Columbians.”
The BC Chamber of Commerce’s top ten priorities for the next provincial government are:
- Supporting Housing and Population Growth with Consistent, Structured Infrastructure Funding for Municipalities (2024)
- Continuing to Improve the Employer Health Tax (2024)
- New and Increased Provincial Taxes Hurting Business and Economic Growth, Introduction of Clear Taxation and Implementation Policy (2023).
- Amending Paid Sick Leave in BC (2022)
- Addressing the Costs Businesses Face Due to Crime and the Consequences of Illicit Drug Decriminalization (2023)
- Progressive Housing Solutions to Address Workforce Challenges (2022)
- Expanding Foreign Professional Credential Recognition to Address our Labour Shortages and Support Economic Growth (2023)
- Broadband & Connectivity in British Columbia (2023)
- Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (2024)
- Building and Investing in Northern Highway Infrastructure – Ensuring Safe Roadways for All British Columbians (2022)
The priority list was informed by the input from local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, who selected the ten policies from over 150 active policies contained in the BC Chamber of Commerce’s Policies and Positions Manuals from 2022, 2023 and 2024. Each year proposed policy resolutions are presented and debated at the provincial association’s AGM and conference – resolutions that receive two-thirds support from members become policies of the BC Chamber of Commerce for three years.
“Local chambers of commerce and boards of trade are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of our small- and medium-sized businesses, which are the backbone of the provincial economy, and to champion the policies that will provide the greatest impact to their members and communities,” said Famulak.
As part of its pre-election activities, the BC Chamber of Commerce also recently released two public opinion surveys that provide insight into the electorate’s sentiments on economic issues. The results support the BC Chamber of Commerce’s call for the next provincial government to take bold, assertive and focused steps to create long-term economic growth and investment stability in British Columbia. Full results are available for the August survey and the September survey.
Key survey findings include:
- More than 60 per cent of British Columbians believe a strong economy ensures the provincial government can make investments in public services.
- Only 14 per cent of British Columbians believe business opportunities have improved in the province in the last five years. And almost half believe businesses are moving to expand their operations elsewhere as a result of rapid regulatory change in BC.
- Seven in ten employers believe that the cost of doing business in BC is higher than in neighboring provinces.
- 83 per cent of British Columbians believe that government plays a role in helping local business success, with tax reduction seen as the most effective measure to improve success.
- 77 per cent of British Columbians agree increasing production in the agriculture and agri-food sector will result in the creation of local jobs outside of the sector, with 65 per cent or more agreeing that the same would occur with an increase in production in the Forestry, Mining, and Natural Gas sectors.
We know British Columbians understand the link between a thriving economy and the government’s ability to fund the public services we all rely on. And they believe that governments play a role in ensuring business success,” said Famulak. “While we recognize progress has been made in some areas, many challenges remain and require urgent attention.”
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