Business leaders from across B.C. have passed policies calling for local government reform, changes to energy policy, a new take on Property Transfer Tax and better oversight of product stewardship (recycling) organizations such as Multi Material BC.

These policies were passed at the BC Chamber Annual General Meeting & Conference, the province’s foremost business gathering, held this year in Richmond May 23-24. This unique grassroots policy-building forum brought together approximately 200 Chamber delegates from across B.C. to vote on new business/economic policies.

This year, delegates voted in 39 policies; these adopted policies now become part of the BC Chamber’s advocacy agenda.

Policies adopted:

·         B.C. Municipal Property Tax Policy – Fairer Taxation for Business

·         Review of Regional Governance Model in Urban Areas

·         Rejecting Bylaw 280 to Allow for Private Sector Solutions

·         Removing Uncertainty from Community Amenity Contributions

·         Optimizing Clean Energy Act for Economy and Environmental Policy Direction

·         Reconciling Natural Gas plans vs Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction policy

·         The Importance to the Economy of Expanded Oil Pipeline Infrastructure

·         Property Transfer Tax Reform; Affordable Housing is Good for the Economy

·         Ensuring Affordable Product Stewardship Programs