Advocacy

The Delta Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of business in Delta at all levels of government. Through associations with the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce we can ensure the voices of our Members and the community at large are heard.

Should you have questions about any of our advocacy issues please contact Lydia Elder, our Manager of Policy Development, Government & Stakeholder Relations, and/or Garry Shearer, our Executive Director.

key advocacy issues

TRANSPORTATION & infrastructure

George Massey Crossing

The Delta Chamber of Commerce has been actively advocating for a solution to the George Massey Tunnel replacement project for a number of years. A replacement crossing is a critical project that should be prioritized and built expeditiously. The technology chosen for the crossing should deliver the most value for taxpayers' money and the choice should be based on a rigorous business case which demonstrates cost certainty, expeditious implementation (including that of the environmental assessment process,) have the least possible impact on the Fraser River construction risk.

Infrastructure Planning & Asset Management

The Investing in Canada plan is the Government of Canada’s comprehensive, long-term plan for infrastructure investments. It offers long-term, sustained funding to enable planning and prioritization by all orders of government with funding for investments, from housing, to public transit, community centres, and federal highways. Provincial projects, however, are announced & planned separately from the work of municipalities, through two-year service plans; whereas regions such as Metro Vancouver and services like Translink are currently planning ahead to 2050, and regional member municipalities are required to sign off on these long-term plans and to submit their own updated Regional Context Statements every five years.

taxation & business sustainability

Highest & Best Use Property Taxation

Many businesses are facing very high property tax bills because BC Assessment is basing their property’s value on the “highest and best use”– not on what the land is currently used for but on its future redevelopment potential.

As a result, some businesses (whether property owners themselves or through triple-net leases) have faced soaring property tax bills simply because the property they are located on has quickly increased in value. This process of property assessment has created a scenario where businesses are faced with significantly higher property tax bills despite there being no change in the current business use or redevelopment to the property, sometimes to the point of the taxes being too onerous and cost-prohibitive to continue.

South Delta Business Sustainability Strategy & Delta Business Sustainability Working Group

The Delta Chamber of Commerce has been an active participant in the South Delta Business Sustainability Working Group since it was initiated by Council in 2014 and engaged area business organizations. Since that time, the Chamber has been actively engaging in the ongoing Working Group (recently expanded to include all of Delta) alongside the Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association, Ladner Business Association, Tourism Delta, and City of Delta in the work of collaborating for the betterment of business in Delta.

health & wellness IN THE WORKPLACE

The ideal workplace is a physically & mentally safe and healthy one in which employers and employees feel respected and safe, are productive, and have the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability. Outside of their workplaces, they also ideally have access to affordable and appropriate choices in housing; the ability to access the reliable, convenient, and timely public transit & active transportation options; appropriate childcare and senior services to support their families; opportunities to be engaged in their community in ways which are meaningful to them.

Through these, employers and employees have the opportunities and supports to be fully engaged in their workplaces and therefore to be advance the economic growth and development of their workplaces, their communities, and themselves. By advocating for health & wellness in the workplace, and for Healthy Built Environment here in Delta, we also advocate for the success and well-being of our economy and our community as a whole.

Community: The Delta Chamber of Commerce is an active participant in the Delta Healthier Communities Partnership Initiative.

Housing: In a recent province-wide survey, the Delta Chamber of Commerce recently identified the lack of affordable and appropriate housing options for employees as a "big" or "very big" challenge to 60% member business in being able to recruit & retain the skilled workers they need to be successful. As such we advocate across all levels of government for additional diverse and affordable infill/higher density residential development projects. We participated in Phase 1 of the City of Delta's Housing Action Plan and support the City's work in moving through Phase 2.

Public Transit & Active Transportation: As part of our advocacy to improve transportation, we work to see increased access to public transit and active transportation options; especially in areas which do not currently have these options available right now such as Annacis Island and Tilbury Industrial Parks. Increasing public transit and active transportation options is good for the environment, reduces congestion on the roads, and is beneficial for physical and mental health for workers.

Mental Health: Canadian Mental Health Association resources on mental health in the workplace

Substance Misuse:

Province of BC resources on addictions, alcohol and other substances
Fraser Health resources on substance use problems
Opioid Overdose: Community Action Table - this team is available to come to your workplace where they will provide free overdose awareness and response training, including naloxone training
Alcohol & Cannabis
- Delta Police: resources on cannabis and
- WorkSafe BC released a list of resources for businesses regarding policies and procedures, strategies and more regarding the 2018 legalisation of cannabis in Canada:
- WorkSafeBC substance use & impairment in the workplace (including alcohol & cannabis)

Links for more information:

skills, training & mentoring

We are Skills Training

As B.C. grapples with a skills shortage, the province's economic future hinges on attracting & training up a workforce that can meet our growing labour needs. Our economic growth is dependent on the availability of a skilled workforce. B.C. business & industry can become, and remain, competitive only by the continued investment in, and maintenance of, the highest standard of human capital. In a recent province-wide survey, the Delta Chamber of Commerce recently identified not enough people being available with the required skills set for the job as a "big" or "very big" challenge for 49% of member business. By partnering with government, educators & trainers, the Delta Chamber desires to see our employers have the skilled workforce needed to compete in the 21st century.

Women in Business

The Delta Chamber of Commerce supports gender equity in business and organizational leadership. We continue to invest in growing and developing women in leadership; on our board, in our staff team, and throughout our membership. As Board Chair Yvonne Anderson recently said for International Women's Day 2020, “As the owner of a Delta business I have utilized the Chamber for employee benefits, education of my team and advocacy when we needed things like high speed internet in our business park. I want to encourage women to take the plunge and start a business! It is an amazing journey and your Chamber will help!”

More resources for women in business:

success stories

Supporting the Marine Terminal Industry - Ports Property Tax Act (PPTA) Review
The Delta Chamber of Commerce advocated for broader stakeholder inclusion in the review process of port operations in communities where they are located, like Delta. The collective efforts of the Chamber and others working together for a common goal resulted in the opportunity for respectful dialogue between members of the marine community and the Province. The ultimate result of that the review now allow municipalities to have taxation flexibility within a framework that is acceptable for all parties, as well as amendments to the Port Land Valuation Regulation under the BC Assessment Act.

Improved High-Speed Internet Access Annacis Island & Tilbury Industrial Park
The Delta Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City of Delta negotiated an agreement with Telus to bring fibre optics into Delta business parks.

Annacis Island Traffic Issues
The Delta Chamber of Commerce worked with the City of Delta and Delta Police Department to make both short term and long-term changes to the traffic on Annacis Island to improve difficult traffics issues on the island.