Vernon policies adopted

Photo: Contributed

Two policies supported by the Greater Vernon Chamber were passed this weekend while chambers from across the province debated provincial policy.

The polices were passed at the Annual General Meeting and policy session over the weekend in Kamloops.

Policies passed included pressing the pause button on B.C.’s proposed Speculation Tax, minimizing the undue negative impacts of the Employer Health Tax and protecting funding for local tourism marketing, and projects.

“The message we are sending is for the government to push the pause button on potentially damaging policy,” said Markus Schrott, Chamber president. “In regards to the changes announced this spring to the MRDT, the Chambers have long advocated for the tourism funding, and that funding should not be used for anything other than its originally intended purpose."

“An MSP task force was created in 2017 to make recommendation for the Employer Health Tax and the Provincial government went against the task forces recommendations," said Dione Chambers, general manager of the Vernon Chamber. "This included the timing of the rollout to avoid double dipping. With the passing of this policy, we are hoping the government will reconsider its proposed changes to the Employer Health Tax.”

The BC Chamber Of Commerce AGM and Conference is the largest annual business policy forum in the province.

This year, 52 policies were up for debate at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM.

A complete list of all policies will be available at online once final edits are completed by the provincial organization.