Business leaders from Cranbrook and across B.C. met in Prince George last week to set an aggressive new policy agenda for the BC Chamber of Commerce’s advocacy efforts.

The BC Chamber will be lobbying the province government, calling for a more transparent approach to taxation in B.C., and community and local government policies on rebalancing municipalities and regional districts, and for a provincial role in municipal restructuring, amongst others.

These policies were passed at the BC Chamber Annual General Meeting & Conference, the province’s foremost business gathering, held this year in Prince George May 24-26.

The grassroots policy-building forum brought together chambers from all corners of the province to vigorously debate and adopt new policies affecting business operations throughout the province. Policies that are adopted become part of the BC Chamber’s advocacy agenda. This year, delegates voted on nearly 50 proposed policies.

Policies voted into force include:

– Promoting Innovation in Regional Solid Waste Management;

– A More Transparent Approach to Taxation in B.C.;

– Rebalancing Municipalities and Regional Districts;

– Provincial Role in Municipal Restructuring;

– Making Tourism funding more secure.

Cranbrook Chamber President Dave Struthers was a delegate to the AGM. “The grassroots policy development process is second-to-none in British Columbia. This year in Prince George, business leaders from across B.C. came together to vote on policy recommendations from local chambers across the province advocating for business in BC.  It is a powerful and effective process,” he said.

BC Chamber President and CEO John Winter was attending his last AGM with retirement following in a few months.  Winter commented on the resolution titled A More Transparent Approach to Taxation in B.C.

“There is an erosion of public trust around taxation decisions; chambers recommend the provincial government commit to a provincial dialogue on tax in B.C. to determine what is the appropriate mix and type of taxes and levies need to pay for programs and services.”

The delegates passed a resolution calling for Rebalancing Municipalities and Regional Districts.

“Taxpayers deserve a more accountable and efficient regional governance system, B.C.’s Chambers believe the current Local Government Act is inadequate and recommends the provincial government modernize the Regional District Legislation,” Winter commented.

On Provincial Role on Municipal Restructuring Winter had to say: “There are areas in B.C. where urban municipalities share common boundaries; Chambers ask the provincial government to amend the Community Charter to include option for instigating municipal restructuring by order of the province where a clear benefit exists.”

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