Affordable housing has topped the agenda for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce as it sets its priorities for 2017.
The chamber has a list of seven priorities for its advocacy work in the next year, with affordable housing, climate change and labour supply top of mind.
“Our annual priorities are based on ongoing collaboration with our stakeholders and members,” said chamber chairman Al Hasham. “This focus will support our work advocating for a regional operating environment that supports local businesses.”
The chamber’s mandate is to inform the business community and identify issues of concern to member businesses. It also works to make sure the business voice is heard at all levels of government.
On the affordable housing front, the chamber intends to advocate for investment from all levels of government to stimulate housing and rental inventories, while pushing for an increased supply of affordable housing for people with moderate incomes.
The chamber is also pushing the idea economic prosperity goes hand-in-hand with environmental sustainability, and will work on business-friendly solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promoting ways businesses can lead through innovation.
The labour supply has been an issue for years, and the chamber is hoping it can push for efficient immigration processes and domestic mobility programs to allow employers to compete for talent.
The chamber’s list also includes the local economy, the governance and service delivery of local governments, the regulatory environment and transportation.
Transportation has been on the list for years with the chamber hoping to see improvement in transportation infrastructure like the Belleville Street Terminal and the affordability of B.C. Ferries.
The chamber intends to advocate for regional approaches to transportation, such as a transportation commission and a transparent approach to infrastructure planning.
