JUNE 2015
Mission Chamber of Commerce
connect • influence • prosper
B.C.’s Chambers vote for a Transparent Approach to Taxation in B.C., Innovation in Regional Solid Waste Management, and for Provincial Role in Municipal Restructuring Business leaders from across B.C. met in Prince George to set an aggressive new policy agenda for the BC Chamber of Commerce’s advocacy efforts to the Province calling for a more transparent approach to taxation in B.C., innovation in regional solid waste management; 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. Representatives from Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) included Kristin Parsons, MRCC Executive Director and David Sawatzky, MRCC Board Director and Govt. Affairs Committee Chair. This unique grassroots policybuilding forum brought together chambers from all corners of the province 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
vote on policy recommendations from local chambers across the province advocating for business in B.C.”
innovation and investment by private enterprise.” On A More Transparent Approach to Taxation in B.C.: “There is an erosion of public trust around taxation decisions, C h a m b e r s 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
•A More Transparent Approach to Taxation in B.C. • Rebalancing Municipalities and Regional Districts • Provincial Role in Municipal Restructuring.
MRCC Executive Director, Kristin Parsons and Government Affairs Committee Chair David Sawatzky, show off their voting cards at the
•M a k i n g policy sessions they attended at the recent BC Chamber AGM. T o u r i s m funding more secure On Promoting Innovation on services.” On Rebalancing Municipalities Quotes from John Winter, Solid Waste Management: and Regional Districts: president and CEO, BC Chamber of “There is a potential conflict Commerce: “Taxpayers deserve a more of interest, Chambers are asking On the BC Chamber policy accountable and efficient regional regional governments to structure process: governance system, B.C.’s or restructure waste management Chambers believe the current “Our grassroots policydevelopment process is second-to- policies in a manner that reduces “Local Government Act” is none in British Columbia. This year expenditures on publicly-owned inadequate and recommends the in Prince George, business leaders facilities when in direct competition provincial government modernize from across B.C. came together to with private industry – to promote the Regional District Legislation.”
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municipalities
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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” On Securing Tourism Funding: “Tourism industry needs the assurance of secured levels of
funding to ensure effective long
term planning, and to remain competitive.” “The BC Chamber is the largest
and most broadly-based business
organization in the province. Representing
more
than
125
Chambers of Commerce and 36,000
businesses of every size, sector and
region of the province, the BC
Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business in BC.” The Mission Regional Chamber
of Commerce is a proud member of the BC Chamber of Commerce!
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604-820-1112
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On Provincial Role on Municipal
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Located inside Swing Optical
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604-557-9972
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