ARTICLE
MEDIA RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2010 Chamber Supports Borrowing for Replacing Blue Bridge Victoria, BC — The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is stating its support to replace the Johnson Street Bridge and further, supports the borrowing of the funds that will be proposed to the public through a referendum this fall. “The immediate decision for the City is whether to replace or refurbish the bridge, and for business replacing the bridge is clearly the best option,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Chamber. “The prospect of closing the bridge for up to a year to do the work of refurbishment is untenable at best. There will be significant business loss on both sides of the bridge as well as to businesses west of the Bay Street Bridge whose access will be blocked with a year of traffic congestion. Potentially those losses will never be recouped and indeed they could lead to business closure. That of course means tax loss to the city, and increased taxes to residents.” The Chamber also notes that, given the state of the City’s reserves, it is imperative to support the funding referendum for the amount needed to replace the bridge. “That figure is $56 million, though the City may bring the required amount down between now and the fall through pursuing more grants and finding internal savings,” continues Carter. “However, let’s be clear. The bridge has to be replaced one way or the other. If not through borrowing, it will happen through tax increases which have currently been cited in the neighborhood of 14%. That size of increase is absolutely unacceptable and will be a great financial burden to both residents and businesses.” The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has approximately 1500 members and is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region. The Greater Victoria Chamber has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. -30- For more information contact: Shannon Renault Bruce Carter Manager Policy Development & Communications Chief Executive Officer Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org Email: srenault@gvcc.org
MEDIA RELEASE
August 5, 2010
Chamber Supports Borrowing for Replacing Blue Bridge
Victoria, BC — The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is stating its support to replace the Johnson Street Bridge and further, supports the borrowing of the funds that will be proposed to the public through a referendum this fall.
“The immediate decision for the City is whether to replace or refurbish the bridge, and for business replacing the bridge is clearly the best option,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Chamber. “The prospect of closing the bridge for up to a year to do the work of refurbishment is untenable at best. There will be significant business loss on both sides of the bridge as well as to businesses west of the Bay Street Bridge whose access will be blocked with a year of traffic congestion. Potentially those losses will never be recouped and indeed they could lead to business closure. That of course means tax loss to the city, and increased taxes to residents.”
The Chamber also notes that, given the state of the City’s reserves, it is imperative to support the funding referendum for the amount needed to replace the bridge. “That figure is $56 million, though the City may bring the required amount down between now and the fall through pursuing more grants and finding internal savings,” continues Carter. “However, let’s be clear. The bridge has to be replaced one way or the other. If not through borrowing, it will happen through tax increases which have currently been cited in the neighborhood of 14%. That size of increase is absolutely unacceptable and will be a great financial burden to both residents and businesses.”
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has approximately 1500 members and is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region. The Greater Victoria Chamber has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
-30-
For more information contact:
Shannon Renault Bruce Carter
Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org
Email: srenault@gvcc.org