Abbotsford News Friday, June 19, 2015
A25
myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
w w w . a b b o t s f o r d c h a m b e r . c o m Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:
New policy agenda set at 2015 Chamber AGM Conference The BC Chamber Annual General Meeting and Conference held in Prince George May 24 to 26 saw business leaders from across the province meet to set new policy agendas. Among those in attendance were Abbotsford Chamber president Josh Bach, vicepresident Kenda Allen, board member Mark Dana and executive director Allan Asaph. The BC Chamber of Commerce is asking the province for a more transparent approach to taxation in B.C., innovation in regional solid waste management, and community and local government policies on re-balancing municipalities
and regional districts, and for a provincial role in municipal restructuring, among others. “Tax burdens have been shifting away from a reliance on personal and corporate tax through a move by government to increased fees and more regressive consumption taxes. Businesses and individuals in B.C. are hit with a complex and confusing barrage of taxes, fees, offsets and credits which prevents a clear understanding of the true overall tax burden and erodes public trust. We are asking the provincial government to develop a full and comprehensive means of measuring the overall corporate and individual tax burden on a provincial and
municipal basis. If the overall tax burden was understood, the effectiveness of changes to tax measures and programs could be measured by changes in the overall tax burden,” Asaph said.
tourism initiative to increase revenue for local business; increased enforcement of tax and duty collection at border crossings to reduce business loss; and making tourism funding more secure.
border crossings. The federal government is also launching a major three-year campaign to increase U.S. tourism, providing an added incentive for increased visitor spending in Canada.
This year, delegates debated and voted on nearly 50 proposed policies. Those approved included: changes to the property purchase tax to make housing more affordable; promoting innovation in regional solid waste management; and a more transparent approach to taxation in B.C.
“The tourism industry needs the assurance of secured levels of funding to ensure effective long-term planning and to remain competitive. The provincial government needs to follow through on its commitment to the growth and continued strength of tourism in the province.”
“The federal government has clearly stated that it has no plans to create an exemption for day trips to the U.S. under 24 hours as it would disadvantage retailers in border communities and elsewhere in Canada,” says Asaph. “The reality is that Canadian Border Services officers use a criteria that allows them to routinely wave through day travellers without the collection of taxes owing. We have asked the federal government to provide sufficient resources to
Policies brought forward by the Abbotsford Chamber that were adopted by the B.C. Chamber included: a new
The Chamber is proposing a three-year pilot project to rebate the five per cent GST to travelers returning with goods to the U.S. through land
enable consistent collection of taxes and duties at all border crossings.” Overall, Asaph says it was a successful AGM for the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, as all three of their proposed resolutions were approved. “Since two of our resolutions involve federal legislation, we will be presenting them at the policy sessions of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Ottawa in October,” he says. “Going forward, we will be looking at all the approved resolutions to ensure that we focus our advocacy efforts on those issues of most importance to our local members.”
Individual Solutions from Independent Advisors What we offer our valued clients:
Todd Chretien
Linda Spletzer
Bote Miedema, CFP
604-851-4299
604-851-4294
604-851-4295
Financial Advisor
todd.chretien@raymondjames.ca
Financial Advisor
linda.spletzer@raymondjames.ca
Investments
Account Types
Financial Planning
GICs, Bonds & T-Bills
RRSPs, RRIFs, RESRs*, TFSAs Retirement planning
Stocks
Cash accounts
Education planning
Mutual Funds
Margin accounts
Estate planning
Corporate accounts
Life, disability & health Insurance
Financial Advisor
bote.miedema@raymondjames.ca
Securities offered through Raymond James Ltd., member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance Services offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., not a member of Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
®
A26 Abbotsford News Friday, June 19, 2015
myBusiness
Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:
E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
2015
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Kenda Allen
VICE PRESIDENT
Brandon Kelley TREASURER
Mark Dana
Hilary Beard
Sara Lawson
Parm Sidhu
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE In an earlier article, I wrote about the Chamber’s mission of representing our members through our key strategic objectives - Advocate, Benefit, and Connect. One way we Connect our members with each other and with our local businesses is through our annual Agriculture Bus Tour. It’s always a great event, and I encourage you join us on this tour.
Joshua Bach
DIRECTOR
abbotsfordchamber.com
As you know, the Agricultural Industry is very important to our economy in Abbotsford. Did you know that this industry creates over $1.8 billion (35%) of our local GDP, and generates over 11,300 jobs? Wow! This year’s tour is profiling four of our local and innovative agricultural operations: Rockweld Farm Ltd., Lepp Farm Market, Singletree Winery and Onnink’s Blueberry Farm. The Agriculture Committee of the Abbotsford Chamber works hard to represent the interests of the Agricultural Industry in our community. One recent example is our work on the draft Audible Bird Scare Device bylaw. Abbotsford City Council has now passed a bylaw addressing that issue.
Our Board work for the summer is ongoing. We are fine-tuning our Committees (hopefully concluding it this month), and then we can get them up and running. We are starting a new Policy Committee this year, and we will be looking for people to join it. In fact, we encourage our members to come to our various Committee meetings. Did you know that our members are welcome at all our Committee meetings? It’s true.
please send them to our Executive Director, at allan@abbotsfordchamber.com, with the subject line of “Rethinking Events”. Allan will then forward them on to me. As our Board and Committee work slows now for a couple of months, I wish you all another beautiful BC summer.
Your involvement with our Chamber and our various Committees will ensure that we understand the local business issues affecting each of us. This will allow us to better advocate on behalf of our business sector. One of the things your Board would like to see this year is a review of the type of events that our Chamber hosts each year. This can lead to a re-thinking whether there is a better way to present speakers, and to make connections for our members. If you have some ideas in this regard, I’d ask that you
DIRECTOR
NEW BUSINESSES:
David Sheach DIRECTOR
Brad Friesen DIRECTOR
Stu McIntosh DIRECTOR
Dave Miller DIRECTOR
Mark Warkentin DIRECTOR
Melinda Friesen DIRECTOR
2015
CHAMBER
TEAM MEMBERS
The Abbotsford Chamber would like to welcome the following businesses: Becoming a member of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce provides substantial benefits to generate more business and reach the heart of your community. • • • • • • • • • •
Silver River Contracting ........................................604-864-7373 Van City – Abbotsford Community Branch .......604-877-7340 First Advantage Financial Inc. .............................778-387-5091 Early Start Autism Therapy Ltd. ..........................778-908-1092 Central Heights Church ........................................604-852-1001 Gallery 7 Theatre Group .......................................604-504-5940 ByteLock IT Solutions............................................604-746-2983 Young Living Essential Oils ..................................304-308-5606 The Honda Way ......................................................604-857-1430 Confetti Creative Celebrations ............................604-531-4242
UPCOMING
CHAMBER EVENTS Allan Asaph
La Vonne Bandsma
allan@abbotsfordchamber.com
Lavonne@ abbotsfordchamber.com
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OFFICE MANAGER
BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS DATE: Thursday, June 25 LOCATION: Business Development Bank of Canada’s NEW Abbotsford Branch TIME:
4:30pm-7:00pm
28TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT DATE: Friday, September 11 Carole Jorgensen
EVENT COORDINATOR
Carole@ abbotsfordchamber.com
Duncan D’Mello
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REP.
Duncan@ abbotsfordchamber.com
LOCATION: Ledgeview Golf & Country Club TIME:
11:00am – 9:00pm
Onnink’s Blueberry Farm.
Glass is beautiful.
Anyway you look at it! • Unique Giftware • Custom Pieces • Studio Tours • Supplies • Classes
30273 Canary Court • 604-615-6902 ellen@glasshive.ca • www.glasshive.ca
Abbotsford News Friday, June 19, 2015
myBusiness E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y
Plastic Works Adding Value to Plastics
abbotsfordchamber.com
Friendly Staff and Service for your plastic needs! Fabrication
Adhesives
Sheet Plastics Bottles/Caps
Come out for a great day of golf and networking fun! Sponsored by Abbotsford Centre, Aldergrove Credit Union, Berryhill Foods Inc., Grant Thornton LLP, John B. Hambley Inc., Kingston Flooring, Manning Elliott LLP, North American Telecommunications, Odlum Brown Limited, Prospera Credit Union, ServiceMaster Restore Fraser Valley, Star 98.3/Country 107.1, The Cooperators Insurance. The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s 28th Annual Golf Tournament is a fantastic opportunity for your business to be a part of Abbotsford’s premier golf tournament. This year’s tournament will take place on Friday, September 11th at Ledgeview Golf & Country Club and is a terrific way to meet the men and women of our business community. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, shared power carts, BBQ lunch sponsored by
Abbotsford Hospice Society, buffet dinner, oncourse contests, activities, prizes and awards.
Fiberglass Epoxy
Flexible Vinyl
Velcro
Totes
Utility Plastics
CNC Routing
Displays
Engineering
Laser Cutting
Rod and Tube
604-850-9616
Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm #102 30468 Great Northern Ave. • plasticworks.ca
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS! Selling, buying or leasing a vehicle?
• Texas Scramble
We know you are busy, so let the experts help find what you are looking for.
• KP and LD Contests • Silent Auction • Raffle Prizes • Hole In One Prizes including a car from Abbotsford Chrysler and $5,000 from Gaudet Tougas Wealth ManagementRaymond James Ltd. Interested in showcasing your business on the course? We have a variety of sponsorship opportunities for the golf tournament that will allow you to connect with our golfers. Contact the Chamber office at (604) 859-9651 or events@abbotsfordchamber.com for more information.
Wayne & Jimmy are ready to find you a vehicle that will be perfect for your lifestyle. wnelson@murraygmabbotsford.com
jnguyen@murraygmabbotsford.com
Wayne
Jimm Jimmy
IN THE FRASER VALLEY AUTO MALL TOLL FREE
1-888-220-1853
Welcome to the family!
Tucker
OVER 30 STORES IN CANADA
murraygmabbotsford.com
HOME OF THE AJAC TRUCK OF THE YEAR!
ALL NEW AWARD WINNING 2015 FORD F-150
THE #1 SELLING TRUCK JUST GOT BETTER! 0% LEASES OR 1.99% FINANCING FOR A LIMITED TIME
VOTED ABBOTSFORD’S FAVOURITE NEW CAR DEALER 7 YEARS RUNNING! DL#31215
T H E F R A S E R VA L L E Y ’ S O N LY F O R D S U P E R S T O R E ! ABBOTSFORD
A27
604.856.9000 www.msaford.com 604.853.2293 MISSION
Highway 1 - Mt Lehman Exit - Fraser Valley Auto Mall MON - THURS • 8:30am - 8pm | FRI & SAT • 8:30am - 6pm | SUNDAY • CLOSED
A CHAMBERS PLAN CAN HELP YOU KEEP AND ATTRACT
THE BEST EMPLOYEES Today, employees expect group insurance benefits. By providing your employees with affordable, flexible insurance options, unbeatable guarantees, and value-added benefits, you can attract and keep the best employees. Join more than 25,000 Canadian companies enjoying the Plan’s financial strength, stable rates, and personal attention.