News release: GVBOT brings region’s priorities to BC Chamber AGM in Victoria
Key policy resolution on the governance of Canada’s ports and airports is adopted provincially
For Immediate Release
May 28, 2017
VANCOUVER, B.C. — This year, all five resolutions submitted or supported by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade were adopted at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM in Victoria.
Each of the resolutions addressed pressing issues facing our region’s business community. One of the most high-profile resolutions — co-submitted with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce — calls on the federal government to maintain the current governance model for Canada’s ports and airports, given that they are economic drivers for our national economy and crucial pieces of transportation infrastructure.
Another resolution adopted with near-unanimous support was entitled “Removing Uncertainty from Community Amenity Contributions.” This resolution provides developers with greater certainty and reflects the findings in our April 2017 report, Unlocking Supply: Housing Affordability and the Missing Middle.
The Board of Trade also supported resolutions dealing with issues such as property taxes, mental health and addictions, and the modernization of regional districts. Resolutions adopted during the AGM process become a part of the BC Chamber’s advocacy agenda to the Provincial Government.
“The BC Chamber brings together more than 60 chambers of commerce and boards of trade from across the province to discuss and debate the issues that are most important to our respective memberships,” said Iain Black, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
“We were very pleased to receive overwhelming support for the issues that we identified as vital to our Members, and were proud to collaborate and support several other chambers from around British Columbia, including the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Greater Westside Board of Trade, and more.”
Resolutions submitted or supported by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade in 2017 include:
- Port and Major Airport Share Capitalization (Co-submitted by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Greater Vancouver Board of Trade)
- Removing Uncertainty from Community Amenity Contributions (Submitted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade)
- Closing the Gap Between Non-Residential and Residential Property Taxes (Submitted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
- Supporting B.C.’s Growing Economy: Modernization of Regional Districts (Submitted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
- Safe Communities and Strong Economic – Mental Health and Addictions in B.C. (Submitted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce)
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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:
Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Pacific Canada’s leading business association, engaging members to impact public policy at all levels of government and to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.’s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development through four unique Signature Programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events programs in the country, providing a platform for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.’s business leaders.
Media contact:
Greg Hoekstra
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com