At this year’s BC Chamber of Commerce AGM in May 2020, the Delta Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Vancouver and Surrey Boards of Trade, received the endorsement of  125 Chambers and Boards of Trade  representing 33,000 businesses across the province for our policy resolution entitled EXPEDITING THE GEORGE MASSEY CROSSING PROJECT. This resolution was adopted and as a result has become part of the BC Chamber’s advocacy agenda with the provincial government.
 
This was reflected in the recent province-wide and local media coverage of the BC Chamber’s advocacy on this issue, including the Delta Optimist.
 
The Delta Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge our Delta Business Community and our 500 members for enabling us to present policies that address critical issues affecting our economy and employment to our provincial and national governments. We value the opportunity to speak for our business community, deliver educational training and resources, extensive networking and promotional opportunities and access to affordable employee benefit plans.
 
Join with us and our provincial and national network of chambers and boards of trade, representing over 200,000 businesses across Canada and share your feedback on issues important to you and your business. The Delta Chamber of Commerce is a strong, effective Voice of Business for Delta and membership provides you the opportunity to amplify your perspective and make an impact!

On Thursday, January 23, 2020, the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) approved the Uber and Lyft applications to operate in the Lower Mainland and Whistler. While this approval covers operations across the Lower Mainland and in Whistler it will not immediately cover this entire area.

Lyft’s initial service area includes the Vancouver International Airport, the Pacific National Exhibition and the City of Vancouver core. Uber’s initial offering includes a core area surrounding Vancouver – including North Delta and Ladner, but excluding Tsawwassen, Tsawwassen First Nation, and the BC Ferries Tsawwassen terminal. Uber riders are currently able to be dropped off in these locations, however the app will not allow for pick-ups.

The City of Delta has an existing business licensing process in place for ride-hailing companies, like Lyft and Uber, with a base annual business license fee of $110 plus $25 per car; with a cap per company of $1,500, which is consistent with the business license fees paid by taxis that operate in Delta. In December 2019 Delta’s Mayor, George Harvie, explained in a press release on the topic that the City has “established a simple and reasonable business licensing system for ride-hailing to ensure that we are treating ride-hailing companies and taxis fairly while allowing our residents to access improved transportation services. We look forward to ride-hailing companies operating in Delta as soon as the Province allows them to.”

​On January 17th the provincial government announced that it plans to introduce interim legislation during the 2020 Spring Session which would give municipalities the ability to exempt a portion of the value of a select number of commercial properties from the full effects of property taxation; easing the tax burden for their tenants responsible for property taxes through their commercial leases.
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The current practice of assessing properties on their highest and best use for potential future redevelopment as designated in a municipality’s official community plan, versus their current use, and of assessing total potential future property at a business rate can create a challenging situation for independent property owners who do not have the available capital to re-develop their property to its highest and best use now; nor to wait out the often multi-year municipal development approval process.

Dear Members,
 
2019 was a growth year for your Chamber and I am grateful for the opportunities over this past year to meet many of you and learn about your businesses and how they contribute to the well-being of our community. I appreciate your trust and commitment to work with your Delta Chamber and help us grow a stronger business network and create positive changes for Delta.

According to a recent province-wide survey of 1,555 business leaders, conducted by the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the issue of commuting (defined as: “the ease by which workers can commute to your business”) was identified as a “big” or “very big” challenge in recruiting and retaining qualified employees for 71 percent of Delta businesses polled.
 
Additionally, “finding enough workers with the specific skill set you need” came in as a major concern for 49 percent of Delta businesses and “housing affordability” as a major concern for 60 percent of Delta respondents.