Closing the Gap Between Non-Residential and Residential Property Taxes (2020)
The Chamber has long expressed concern regarding local governments charging non-residential property owners some multiple over residential taxpayers, a practice that is not based on any concrete rationale, e.g. aligned with consumption of municipal tax-supported services. This practice affects businesses’ ability to compete with other jurisdictions and remain viable, impacts that will only worsen as […]
Accelerating Development by Allowing for Optimum Timing of Payment of Development Cost Charges (2020)
In the Local Government Act under section 559 (4), local governments may, by bylaw, impose development cost charges (“DCC”) upon approval of subdivision, or a building permit. Specially the act states: 559 (1) A local government may, by bylaw, for the purpose described in subsection (2) or (3), impose development cost charges on every person […]
Revitalizing the Fraser River – Unlocking Its True Potential (2020)
The Fraser River is one of the most important water systems in British Columbia. It is currently being underutilized due to the lack of development of port cities along the banks of the Fraser River. There are many cities across Canada that have successfully revitalized their waterfront areas along major waterway systems such as Toronto[1] […]
Strata Insurance Premium Crisis (2020)
With insurance rates for condos and townhouses climbing 50 to 300 percent —and in one case nearly 800 percent—condo and townhouse owners in BC are worried they will not be able to continue to own their dwellings. This rate increase could impact up to 10,000 associations in the province, according to the Condominium Homeowners Association […]
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 […]
Encouraging and Supporting More Women on Corporate Boards (2020)
Canada as a whole, and BC in specific, continues to lag the rest of the developed world in terms of gender diversity in our corporate boardrooms.[1] In BC, while women now make up 49% of public boards, only 1 in 5 members of corporate boards are women.[2] The most recent review by the Canadian Securities […]
Leverage and Benefit From Private Sector Investment and Expertise in Renewable Energy Generation and Transmission (2020)
BC’s low-carbon economy is founded on the generation of clean, renewable electricity to power our transportation, homes, and industry. Policy to achieve the province’s climate goals and grow our low-carbon business advantage, however, currently stops at the point of appreciating our 97% clean electricity advantage, without recognizing how the private sector’s considerable investment in BC’s […]
Broadband & Connectivity in British Columbia (2020)
Rural and remote communities in British Columbia are impacted by a lack of connectivity both from a broadband and a cellular perspective. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this significant crack in our economic foundation. At the height of the crisis, many businesses scrambled to move their operations online to stay open. Enabling online business – whether […]
One-Time Land Release From the ALR to Enable Growth in Agri-Tourism (2020)
In the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, there is an urban/rural conflict centered around ALR lands. There is less of a problem in the lower mainland, where larger farming operations continue to consolidate, primarily outside urban limits. In Kelowna, for example, 40% of the land footprint within city limits is designated ALR. While this makes for […]
Committing to Vertical Growth – The Next Phase of Agricultural Production (2020)
Farming is an expensive career path. Youth are finding it more and more difficult in accessing funds to pursue farming even though their families have been farming for generations. Fewer farmers lead to food insecurity and raises the price of food with broader economic implications. Many regions across BC are facing land shortages. This issue […]