The Surrey Board of Trade welcomes the measures in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement aimed at spurring innovation and investment. However, concerns remain about Canada’s economic competitiveness and the lack of measures to address the growing federal deficit, which risks long-term economic stability.“Surrey businesses are feeling the pressure of an underperforming economy and a…
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The Surrey Board of Trade is calling for urgent government action to address the escalating issue of copper theft, which is causing significant disruptions to telecommunications services, businesses, and public safety across Canada.“Copper theft is more than an economic crime; it is a public safety crisis,” said Jasroop Gosal, Interim Spokesperson for the Surrey…
Metro Vancouver’s recent decision to review its services and seek cost efficiencies as part of its 2026 budget process represents a critical opportunity to balance affordability and infrastructure needs in one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions. The Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) welcomes this proactive approach, recognizing its potential to strengthen fiscal responsibility while ensuring that…
Surrey, BC – The Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) is raising alarms about British Columbia’s 2023 GDP growth being disproportionately driven by government spending, according to the recently released GDP highlights report from the BC Government.“Economic growth anchored on government expenditure is not sustainable in the long term,” said Jasroop Gosal, Interim Spokesperson for…
US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on all imports from Canada threatens to disrupt the robust economic relationship between the two countries, with severe implications for Surrey’s business community. Surrey, home to the most manufacturers in BC and a significant number of import-export reliant companies, could see increased costs, reduced competitiveness, and potential job…
Metro Vancouver is gaining momentum as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada, with strong employment growth across the region’s foreign multinational enterprises (FMEs). To harness this momentum, the Surrey Board of Trade calls on the Government of Canada to prioritize funding for the Metro Vancouver region, with Surrey poised to play…
The Surrey Board of Trade advocates for red tape reduction for businesses. Red tape is excessive bureaucracy, routines, rules and complexity at all levels of government which causes delays or unreasonable costs to businesses. Filing forms and applying for licenses are parts of doing business, however, the Surrey Board of Trade wants to ensure that…
The Federal Government announced its new 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.“The Surrey Board of Trade is disappointed in this plan,” said Jasroop Gosal, Interim Spokesperson for the Surrey Board of Trade. “Our local businesses rely on the international community. The recent decline in unemployment rates can be attributed to high interest rates, which limit businesses'…
The Surrey Board of Trade is proud to announce that both of its policy submissions have been approved by the delegates at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting and Convention in Halifax, NS, held from October 17-19, 2024. The Convention gathered representatives from the 430 chambers of commerce across the country, representing a…
The Surrey business community is experiencing unprecedented growth, but energy demand is surpassing supply. To support further economic expansion, immediate steps must be taken to fast-track renewable energy projects and streamline processes across all levels of government.In April 2024, BC Hydro launched a competitive call for 3,000 gigawatt hours (GWh/y) of clean electricity. Proposals…
