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MEDIA RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2010 Chamber Brings Home Two Policy Victories from National AGM Victoria, BC – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has supported the call of the Greater Victoria Chamber to restructure the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP) to increase tourism competiveness in Canada. The policy points how the FCTIP, which replaces the former GST rebate program for travelers, is too cumbersome and restrictive and how it negatively impacts on the Canadian tourism. The Chamber has called for the elimination of the excessive administrative burden for tourism operators and the reintroduction of GST/HST rebates for individual travelers. “Tourism is an industry that is sensitive to even small factors that affect its competitiveness,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber. “Tourism has been buffeted by so many challenges beyond the control of themselves or the government. We have put significant focus into trying to push forward on policies that are within our control that are can improve the business environment for the industry.” Representatives from Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade representing business communities across Canada convened in Gatineau, Quebec over the weekend to vote on policy resolutions submitted by members of the Canadian Chamber network. A two-thirds majority of voting members of the CCC is required for resolutions to pass. The Victoria Chamber also co-sponsored a resolution brought forward by the Burnaby Board of Trade calling on the federal government to develop a national housing strategy to deal with homelessness. The policy, which was an update of the Victoria policy brought to the CCC in 2007, was also supported by delegates. . 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. Background -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
September 28, 2010
Chamber Brings Home Two Policy Victories from National AGM
Victoria, BC – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has supported the call of the Greater Victoria Chamber to restructure the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP) to increase tourism competiveness in Canada.
The policy points how the FCTIP, which replaces the former GST rebate program for travelers, is too cumbersome and restrictive and how it negatively impacts on the Canadian tourism. The Chamber has called for the elimination of the excessive administrative burden for tourism operators and the reintroduction of GST/HST rebates for individual travelers.
“Tourism is an industry that is sensitive to even small factors that affect its competitiveness,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber. “Tourism has been buffeted by so many challenges beyond the control of themselves or the government. We have put significant focus into trying to push forward on policies that are within our control that are can improve the business environment for the industry.”
Representatives from Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade representing business communities across Canada convened in Gatineau, Quebec over the weekend to vote on policy resolutions submitted by members of the Canadian Chamber network. A two-thirds majority of voting members of the CCC is required for resolutions to pass.
The Victoria Chamber also co-sponsored a resolution brought forward by the Burnaby Board of Trade calling on the federal government to develop a national housing strategy to deal with homelessness. The policy, which was an update of the Victoria policy brought to the CCC in 2007, was also supported by delegates. .
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.
Background
-30-
For more information contact:
Shannon Renault Bruce Carter
Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org
Email: srenault@gvcc.org