New and Increased Provincial Taxes Impacting Business and Economic Growth (2020)
Over the past few years, the provincial government has increased existing taxes, or added new taxes, with little or no notification with the business community or the general public. This is causing serious harm to business competitiveness, as well as reducing economic growth and productivity due to less dollars going back into the economy as […]
Increasing Accountability, Transparency and Local Control of the Spec Tax (2020)
In 2018, the BC Budget introduced the speculation tax as one of several measures aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis in BC. Two years later the tax[1] has been fully introduced but is only applicable to a select number of communities, marking a departure from previous tax policies which traditionally treated all British Columbians […]
Improving Capital Raising Exemptions for BC Co-Operatives (2020)
There is an opportunity to increase the retention and circulation of British Columbians’ hard-earned money in our own province that will lead to meaningful job creation, increased provincial tax revenues, increased local wealth and economic resiliency. Co-operatives are democratic corporations with considerable investor protections and director accountability mechanisms built into the legislation under which they […]
Competitive Tax Environment For Credit Unions (2020)
When the federal government moved to eliminate the extended small business tax credit benefit for credit unions in 2013, the Province of British Columbia showed good sense by not mirroring this harmful change in provincial tax law. Our provincial government has since insulated BC credit unions from the full impact of the federal change in […]
Manufacturing – A Skilled Workforce (2020)
In the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) Industry 2030 report, 35% of respondents to a Management Issues Survey indicated that attracting or retaining skilled labour was one of their three most pressing challenges[1] and topped the list of possible responses. Further, the CME reported that close to 60% of businesses anticipate skilled labour shortages in […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Responds to Budget 2020
Overall, Budget 2020 lacks a clearly defined competitiveness strategy that would ultimately support affordability measures long-term VICTORIA, BC, February 20, 2020–The Provincial government unveiled a balanced budget today with affordability at its core—but the business community is left wondering about the absence of a clear ‘competitiveness strategy’ in the budget—and the impact this will have […]
Budget 2019 leaves business concerns on the sidelines
Budget 2019 leaves business concerns on the sidelines Scarce attention to tax competitiveness a major concern: BC Chamber VANCOUVER – March 19, 2019 – Today’s federal budget fell short of addressing the fundamental issues affecting BC business. And, while there were some small wins in the budget, it failed to address key issues like global tax competitiveness, reduced business confidence, and a slumping […]
Val Litwin: Speculation Tax is hurting the 99% in B.C., not just the 1%
The path to affordable housing won’t be paved by the Speculation Tax. Read Val Litwin’s take in the Province.
News Release: BC Chamber of Commerce responds to Budget 2018
Key investments in housing and childcare – but business bracing for massive tax hike Key Word Downgraded in Budget: Innovation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Victoria, February 20, 2018 – Today’s provincial budget reflects a social agenda with meaningful investments in both housing attainability and childcare – two areas of deep interest to the BC Chamber network […]
BC Chamber of Commerce on the BC Government’s plan to increase minimum wage
Vancouver, February 8, 2018 – The BC Chamber of Commerce calls on the provincial government to maintain certainty and predictability as minimum wage set to rise to by 2021. “Predictability and certainty are what’s on our members’ minds,” said Val Litwin, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “While front-loading the minimum wage […]