January 2018 Inside this issue: Chamber Mid-Year Review New Members Events Review Member Spotlight 5 Minutes for Business Recommended Reading
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
President’s Message
I
cannot believe another Glance and income sharing were at the top is already out! It has surprised of the list of concerns. However, in a me by how quickly my term as recent article I read, I was happy to president has gone by. I was recently see that the small business tax rate recalling the advice given to me by will be lowered from 10.5% to 9% by past Chamber Presidents’ who had January of 2019. It was also warned me that no matter how hard announced that the federal I will try to schedule my time and government have retracted the predict my year, it will not go as changes to the lifetime capital gains planned. How true those words have exemption as they said, “they heard been. If anyone would have asked Canadians loud and clear.” me last year if I would be focusing on and discussing an extreme federal I am very proud as I truly believe that proposed business tax change that the Chamber of Commerce was one could affect of those voices our local that the Federal ... the federal businesses, government government have Climate Control heard loud and taxes and the clear. Our local retracted the changes most Brandon to the lifetime capital controversial, Chamber was gains exemption as the legalization among the of marijuana, I hundreds of they said, “they would have other Chambers heard Canadians loud thought they that came and clear.” were silly. together using social media to There were extreme reactions when create the #ProtectGrowth the proposed tax increases were campaign. For this campaign, many announced this past July. Discussions local and surrounding businesses on tax rates, capital gains exemption, created videos stating their concerns
Tami-Rae Rourke Chamber President
about the proposed taxes, and how it would negatively affect them. We are a strong voice when we all come together and stand united. This is what your membership allows for; a stronger voice. Another focus was the legalization of Marijuana that will take affect across Canada on July 1, 2018. The largest voiced concern was from employers and how to accommodate these concerns. Our Chamber held a very informative breakfast in November where a panel of three experts discussed the creating as well as implementing of policy standards and practices for businesses, which are both lawful and practical. The Brandon Chamber is very sensitive to our members concerns and this (Continued on page 6)