Key Issue: Policy & Advocacy

The Cannabis sector is ready to put hundreds of unemployed retail employees back to work – quickly. They’re also well positioned to generate thousands of dollars in tax revenue if they could accept online orders and deliver to your door. Unfortunately, burdensome regulations mean cannabis retailers are struggling to find workers and being forced to […]

On July 20, 2020, the BC Chamber and 21 other BC business associations sent a letter to the Hon. Harry Bains, outlining the business community’s concerns with Bill 23, Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2020, which was tabled in the legislature on July 14.

The B.C. government is extending temporary layoffs provisions under COVID-19 to a maximum of 24 weeks after concerns were raised by business groups, notably the BC Chamber of Commerce Network. We issued this news release in partnership with several other BC business associations on June 22 and also advocated to the Premier directly on the importance of extending the layoff provision in […]

Hon. Minister James announced early this week that landlords who are eligible for CERCA but don’t apply will be prevented from evicting tenants for at least the next month. A joint letter to provincial/territorial governments from the BC Chamber of Commerce in late May, and BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin’s recent op-ed in the Vancouver Sun, called for more landlord participation […]

Sixty-seven chambers and boards of trade from across B.C. gathered online on May 22-23, to discuss and debate key policy issues at the BC Chamber of Commerce 68th Annual General Meeting & Conference. “Our grassroots policy development process drives our advocacy efforts each year. Like previous years, our network will prioritize advocacy in the year ahead […]

Like you, in the past month we’ve had to pivot quickly. Our full-time job has been to advocate on behalf of the thousands of local businesses like yours that have been impacted (and in many cases devastated by) the current economic downturn. 

Legislation Signals Beginning of a Long-term Journey Toward Meaningful Reconciliation Victoria, BC – October 24, 2019: BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin was in Victoria today to witness Minister Scott Fraser introducing new legislation that will create a framework for reconciliation for the BC Government. The government issued a second “business focused” news release after the initial announcement this morning, explaining that […]

Chamber delegation from BC gets key policies on federal agenda at national gathering  (SAINT JOHN), September 26, 2019— The BC Chamber and 16 regional BC chambers and boards of trade attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM last week, passing more policies than any other province. Of the 27 policies submitted by the BC network, 23 passed and will […]

Kamloops, May 26, 2018 – 54 resolutions have been passed after further passionate debate and discussion during the BC Chamber of Commerce’s AGM in Kamloops (May 24-26).  Passed policy resolutions of note include:  Progressive Housing Solutions to Address Workforce Challenges – submitted by Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade  Minimizing Undue Negative Impacts of […]

From electoral reform to the speculation tax and a competitive LNG industry — 20 resolutions pass at BC Chamber AGM    Kamloops, May 25, 2018 – More than 200 business and Chamber leaders debated, discussed, and passed 20 new business and economic policies today at the BC Chamber’s 66th Annual General Meeting in Kamloops.  Passed policy resolutions of note on day one include:  Minimizing Undue Negative […]