Labour/Labour Relations

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

After a meeting with Minister Bains (previously recorded lobbying activity), he agreed to work with his colleagues to raise the maximum amount a person on disability benefits is able to make in a given year through employment.

Target Contacts

Advanced Education

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented its policy on enhancing the skills of workers in the labor pool within BC. The ask was to work with the Federal government in creating an assessment framework for a future skills centre. The government staff reported that they are and will continue to work on the recommendations made by the Surrey Board of Trade.

Target Contacts

Agriculture

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented a policy paper on reforming the property tax structure as it relates to agricultural land. There are many taking advantage of the tax break but not using the land to farm.

Target Contacts

Arts and Culture

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented their policy paper asking for the government to enhance arts education in the pre-k, k-12, and post-secondary schooling institutions. The request was made at a roundtable discussion with many staff of various Ministers.

Target Contacts

Children and Families

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

We presented a policy requesting for higher levels of investment in childcare facilities. Additionally, it was asked to provide public money to private corporations to have childcare facilities at the place of work.

Target Contacts

Emergency Preparedness

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented on a policy paper that they wrote on the lack of planning for forest fires and floods. The ask was to work more closely with the federal and local governments to ensure that municipalities have the funding available to implement disaster mitigation programs.

Target Contacts

Environment

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented to the government on a plastic policy that requires greater involvement of the businesses that would be the most affected: restaurants. The request was to develop a program that involved restaurants and relevant stakeholders in the process of phasing out plastics and banning dirty styrofoam.

Target Contacts

Finances and Budgets

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented to the government on the need for a PST rebate on production inputs. Manufacturers should not have to pay PST on all inputs as it detracts from innovation, expansion, and reinvestment. The government indicated that they are open to the potential and will research it more. There is another policy that the Surrey Board of Trade presented to the ED on WorkSafe BC overfunding.

Target Contacts

Housing

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade presented to government to improve the housing situation. Recommendations included increasing the housing supply by providing incentives to the developers and builders. Additionally, working with municipalities to ensure that developers of low-income or purpose-built rental housing are treated differently from for-profit companies.

Target Contacts

Justice and Law Enforcement

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The SBOT asked for the government to work with the Federal Government in enhancing supports and providing housing for rehabilitating criminals.

Target Contacts

Labour/Labour Relations

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

After a meeting with Minister Bains (previously recorded lobbying activity), he agreed to work with his colleagues to raise the maximum amount a person on disability benefits is able to make in a given year through employment.

Target Contacts

Transportation

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The SBOT asked the government to ensure ridesharing has no barriers when operating in municipalities, and that there are synchronized business licensing processes across BC.

Target Contacts

Agriculture

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade asked that PST products not be charged to farmers modernizing farm equipment. Additionally, improve the incentives provided to farmers. Ensure that secondary homes can be built on farms for families if the children want to take over the farm (succession planning).

Target Contacts

Children and Families

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade provided the Liberal caucus with information on the need for more childcare spaces. The Liberal's plan is to shift the subsidy levels.

Target Contacts

Emergency Preparedness

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade met with the official opposition caucus of BC, the BC Liberal government. At these meetings, many issues were discussed. One issue was related to public safety and Surrey's plans to transition from the RCMP to a municipal police force. It was asked that the opposition caucus prevent any current plan from going through as it is not well researched by the implementers, nor is it a viable strategy for the policy goals it hopes to achieve. An additional policy was mentioned to the same target contacts and Peter Milobar, which was in regard to floods and emergency management. The Surrey Board of Trade articulated that the city of Surrey will be overrun by individuals from other municipalities in the event of a large scale flood, earthquake, or other emergencies/disasters. There is no infrastructure in Surrey, nor is there a plan in place that cohesively instructs citizens on what to do, who to listen to, and what procedures to follow. The request was for military, RCMP, municipal police forces, and provincial and federal emergency ministries to collaborate to provide funding to the City of Surrey The last policy discussed as it relates to public safety was regarding the prolific offenders. It was asked that a new model be introduced to ensure that individuals get the help they need.

Target Contacts

Environment

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade recommended that a comprehensive plastics elimination plan be put in place with extensive stakeholder (business) consultations. The government should ensure that any plan should provide businesses with incentives to switch from plastic to alternatives. The government should simplify and expedite the CleanBC refund programs in place for businesses. It was also asked that the carbon tax be revenue neutral and eliminate it from being applied to low-income individuals. The Surrey Board of Trade also recommended that the opposition prevent Minister Heyman from further delaying the pipeline project.

Target Contacts

Finances and Budgets

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade asked that the BC government ensure that red tape is minimized, and that recession planning to be taken seriously. The critics advised they will be acting on our recommendations.

Target Contacts

Freedom of Information

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

We asked that boards of trade and chambers of commerce be excluded from reporting each and every instance of lobbying. The MLAs will be reviewing the process.

Target Contacts

Housing

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade asked that the speculation tax be ended and that the province work with the federal government to ensure that there are incentives for the building of new homes. Additionally, it was asked to ensure that pressure is applied to municipalities to ensure that not-for-profit builders are taxed and charged differently from for-profit builders.

Target Contacts

Insurance

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade requested that ICBC release their market information so that the private sector can adequately compete in the optional insurance aspect. The MLA is consulting with ICBC to see if that will happen. They will also create a review committee of experts to review ICBC to determine whether insurance can be fixed.

Target Contacts

Labour/Labour Relations

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade provided information on the skills shortage Surrey is experiencing and asked government officials to bring up the fact that there is no job plan in place that will adequately address this shortage.

Target Contacts

Poverty

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade discussed the poverty reduction plan and the fact that a job plan is missing. The Liberals will be continuing to criticize the plan.

Target Contacts

Taxation and Finance

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade asked that the government exempt PST on production inputs so that companies can reinvest in their company to promote growth. Additionally, the Surrey Board of Trade recommended that the EHT refund be increased to businesses that have been hit with the MSP and EHT. It was also recommended that the government exempt EHT from business owners with multiple businesses.

Target Contacts

Transportation

Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy or decision

The Surrey Board of Trade met with many official BC government critics. The topic discussed was around the transportation infrastructure investment earmarked for Surrey. It was asked that the plan that will be provided by the mayors' council to be scrutinized for how well it serves the needs of Surrey. The total costs will be changed and the new plan does not meet the level of benefits that would have been received under the old plan. It was also asked that the critics pressure municipalities to ensure there is affordable housing at transit hubs. It was also asked that the government prevent municipalities from any further interference in bringing ride-hailing to cities.

Target Contacts