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…
Categorized Under Industry and International Trade
Today, the Surrey Board of Trade wrote to the Honourable Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to express concerns about the proposal to remove the 50 points awarded to permanent residence applicants through a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for certain job tiers.“The Minister indicated that he is considering removing…
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…
The Surrey Board of Trade welcomes the Government of Canada’s announcement of the Canadian Trade Gateway for Nuclear Development, a strategic initiative to bolster Canadian trade, investment, and job creation in the Indo-Pacific region. This forward-looking plan positions Canada as a leader in nuclear innovation while unlocking new economic opportunities for businesses nationwide."Canada’s nuclear…
The Surrey Board of Trade applauds the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon for announcing funding initiatives to address Arctic security and infrastructure gaps, as detailed in their recent joint statement. This critical investment demonstrates a much-needed focus on Canada's Arctic, a region integral to national security and economic development."The Arctic is…
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…
SURREY BOARD OF TRADE PLEASED WITH CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO END PORT STRIKE, RESUME OPERATIONSAfter nearly two years of stalled negotiations between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Ship and Dock Foreman, Local 514 (ILWU Local 514), the Canadian government has stepped in to resolve the…
The Surrey Board of Trade welcomes the Government of Canada’s decision to re-establish the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations, recognizing this as an essential step to addressing ongoing trade challenges and supporting Canadian businesses reliant on a strong and stable economic partnership with the United States. This decision is consistent with a Surrey Board of…
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…
