A12 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018
RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
BusinessReport Business R I C H M O N D
C H A M B E R
O F
C O M M E R C E
M O N T H L Y
N E W S L E T T E R
SUITE 202 - SOUTH TOWER, 5811 COONEY, RICHMOND. BC. V6X 3M1 | T. 604.278.2822 | F. 604.278.2972 | richmondchamber.ca
Richmond business community reacts to delay in George Massey project
Upcoming Events
T
he Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena released the independent review of the George Massey corridor project on Monday, Dec. 17, and announced that a final decision for the corridor wouldn’t be made until the end of 2020. The Richmond business community is expressing its disappointment with the delay, with some businesses contemplating their future in Richmond. “We have been strong supporters of moving this development forward since 2016, based on very clear feedback we received from our members,” said Barbara Tinson, chair of Richmond Chamber of Commerce. “There are people losing hours of their lives waiting in traffic on Hwy 99 every day. That’s time away from their kids, from their families. Richmond is a net importer of jobs and a lot of these workers are coming from the more affordable housing south of the Fraser. Employers in Richmond are losing good people, because the commute just isn’t worth it anymore.” Tinson continued, “We had hoped that Minister Trevena would have decided on a solution, based on this review, which emphasized the urgency of im-
Networking Breakfast at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Wilson School of Design 7:00 am – 9:00 am General Admission $42 (+ GST), Chamber Members $26 (+ GST)
Jan. 24, 2019
proving this crossing. Instead, we are offered more study and more delays. And we fear that whatever is finally built will be at or near capacity when it opens.” The Province has stated in a press release that it will reopen community consultation in 2019, an undertaking the previous project team conducted from 2012-2013. However, the chamber said two of the options highlighted by the province, a six- or eight-lane bridge, will likely return peak hours’ congestion to levels similar to today by 2045. Clint Mahlman, president and chief operating officer of London
Drugs, shared that the company is now forced to consider relocation of their head office and distribution centre, which represents more than jobs in Richmond. “We are very disappointed the provincial government has delayed decisions on resolving the movement of goods and people around the George Massey crossing,” said Mahlman. “With this announcement, we have no choice but to consider all options for locating our head office and distribution centre. “As one of Richmond and BC’s largest employers and businesses, this is frustrating and disappointing to be put in this position once
again after years of providing feedback and ideas to the City of Richmond and to the provincial governments in the past.” In an interview with CBC News Vancouver, Connor Williams of the Ashton Service Group shared the band-aid solution his company is using until permanent improvements are made. “We have a job that’s on the other side of the tunnel and, depending on which way the counterflow is going, I’ll have to grab an employee from inside the office and we’ll drive in the HOV lane, just to get through to the other side.”
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce • Published Monthly
We have your profitable advantage
Computer Security Inc.
• Avoid escalating health care costs • Be proactive rather than reactive
Cyber Security & Professional Investigations
Specializing In
PRESIDENT LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR LICENSED SECURITY CONSULTANT (604) 230-8114 amuleta.com info@amuleta.com
Business after 5 with Vancity Richmond Centre Community Branch #100-5900 No 3 Road Please join us for a “members only” networking experience 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm
The province has announced the the previously proposed 10-lane bridge will not go ahead.
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce has been “Proudly serving our community since 1925.” In partnership with local media the Chamber produces the Business Report once per month. The statements and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publication’s intent is to keep Chamber members, and prospective members, informed on important information, events, and educational items. The Richmond Chamber of Commerce is located at Suite 202 - North Tower - 5811 Cooney Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 3M1. For more information and to reserve tickets for the events, please call 604-278-2811, email rcc@richmondchamber.ca, or see us online at: richmondchamber.ca .
DALE JACKAMAN
Jan. 9, 2019
Licensed Professional Investigators Licensed Security Consultants Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (bug sweeps) Intellectual property protection Incident response IT with a security focus Risk assessment and evaluation Executive cyber protection Specialized search and seizures
• Customized Employee Benefits • Group Retirement Programs • Health Spending Accounts
CALL THE EXPERTS TODAY!
604-270-1142
Check us out - www.dupuislangen.com
Feb. 13, 2019 2019 Chinese New Year Banquet Dinner Continental Seafood Restaurant Tickets: TBA
Feb. 28, 2019
Chamber Partners: -Vancouver Airport Authority -Port of Vancouver -Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance -Scotiabank -Kwantlen Polythechnic University -WorkSafe BC
Mayor Malcolm Brodie’s Annual Luncheon
Executive Vancouver Airport Hotel Tickets: TBA Registration 11:30 am 1:30pm
Canada’s #1 Plan
for Employee Benefits
Chambers Plan Employee Benefits
See why 30,000 business owners selected this plan! chamberplan.ca
Email: info@dupuislangen.com Regulated under the Security and Services Act of British Columbia
Proudly Serving Richmond - 30 years!
iglfin@shawcable.com • 1-888-818-2942 • 604-607-7353