Today, the Surrey Board of Trade’s Policy & Research Manager, Jasroop Gosal, was in Ottawa at the 2024 Federal Budget Lock-Up to hear the pre-briefing and presentation of the Federal Budget and Three-Year Fiscal Plan.
“The Surrey Board of Trade is pleased to hear about several investments that will enhance productivity, benefit business, and alleviate some costs on businesses such as permitting and regulatory approval process improvements, defence, artificial intelligence, clean technology, energy incentives, and housing,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “We are disappointed that BC transportation and specific infrastructure projects were not mentioned. We hope that a significant amount of the money allocated to the Regional Economic Development Agencies will be provided to PacfiCan, which can fund projects in Surrey. We are also disappointed that no Surrey-specific projects were mentioned in this budget, except for the previously announced $95 million to the City of Surrey for the Housing Accelerator Fund. Surrey is going to be the largest city in British Columbia and is starved of infrastructure and transportation investments.”
This year, we indicated 10 priorities that the Federal Government should focus on:
- A comprehensive tax review to save government and business money so that productivity can increase.
- Ensure reliable supply chains through Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan investments to prevent threats to supply chains locally and
globally, and guarantee support and funding of port infrastructure. - A national pharmacare plan to save business money.
- Investments to support a more robust manufacturing industry sector.
- A plan to reduce the budget deficit and conduct stakeholder engagements when the Monetary Policy Framework is renewed in 2026.
- Accelerate the Permanent Federal Transit Fund so it begins in Q3 of 2024.
- Permitting and regulatory approval process improvements.
- Harmonization of tax reporting mechanisms with Provincial governments and to allow for information to be shared between agencies at
all orders of government. - Demands for expertise in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and Canadian businesses are well-placed to lead in high-growth sectors, but to maintain this competitive edge, we must capitalize on our advantages in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital health.
- Workforce development investments tying industry needs to curriculum development for private and public post-secondary institutions.
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