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MEDIA RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2010 Victoria Chamber Champions Tourism Concerns at Provincial Level Victoria, BC — The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce successful lead five new policies to be supported by the BC Chamber delegates at the provincial annual general meeting held in Vancouver. Four of the policies directly addressed the concerns of the tourism industry in the changing economic environment. “Tourism is not only a major industry in Victoria, but throughout the Island and the province. We felt it was important that we take the lead in bringing a number of tourism concerns to the advocacy portfolio for the BC Chamber,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Victoria Chamber. Victoria’s policies addressed the need for stable and predictable funding for provincial and regional destination marketing organizations, the need to restructure the national visitor rebate program for tour organizers and individual travelers, and a provincially targeted approach to allow full input tax credits for larger tourism businesses who will have a portion of their ITCs disallowed for up to five years. Another policy called on the provincial and federal governments to support the extension to the Victoria International Airport runway, which will provide increased opportunities to both tourism and the IT industries of our region. “It is imperative to get our regional issues on the provincial advocacy agenda,” says David Marshall, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber. “We can and do advocate on these issues when we meet with the respective ministers and our own MLAs, but having the voice of the provincial chamber behind us is extremely helpful to our efforts and our local 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- Background: Full policies linked here. 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 2009 Business: Residential Tax Ratio 2009 Share of Municipal Tax Burden C Saanich 2.38:1 19% Colwood 3.58:1 21% Esquimalt 2.99:1 17% Highlands 3.70:1 8% Langford 3.16:1 41% Metchosin 4.42:1 3% N Saanich 6.80:1 25% Oak Bay 1.79:1 4% Saanich 3.82:1 19% Sidney 2.84:1 28% Sooke 3.29:1 15% Victoria 3.66:1 51% View Royal 4.0:1 26% Figures from Ministry of Community Services.
MEDIA RELEASE
May 26, 2010
Victoria Chamber Champions Tourism Concerns at Provincial Level
Victoria, BC — The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce successful lead five new policies to be supported by the BC Chamber delegates at the provincial annual general meeting held in Vancouver. Four of the policies directly addressed the concerns of the tourism industry in the changing economic environment.
“Tourism is not only a major industry in Victoria, but throughout the Island and the province. We felt it was important that we take the lead in bringing a number of tourism concerns to the advocacy portfolio for the BC Chamber,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Victoria Chamber.
Victoria’s policies addressed the need for stable and predictable funding for provincial and regional destination marketing organizations, the need to restructure the national visitor rebate program for tour organizers and individual travelers, and a provincially targeted approach to allow full input tax credits for larger tourism businesses who will have a portion of their ITCs disallowed for up to five years. Another policy called on the provincial and federal governments to support the extension to the Victoria International Airport runway, which will provide increased opportunities to both tourism and the IT industries of our region.
“It is imperative to get our regional issues on the provincial advocacy agenda,” says David Marshall, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber. “We can and do advocate on these issues when we meet with the respective ministers and our own MLAs, but having the voice of the provincial chamber behind us is extremely helpful to our efforts and our local 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-
Background: Full policies linked here.
For more information contact:
Shannon Renault Bruce Carter
Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org
Email: srenault@gvcc.org
2009 Business: Residential Tax Ratio
2009 Share of Municipal Tax Burden
C Saanich
2.38:1
19%
Colwood
3.58:1
21%
Esquimalt
2.99:1
17%
Highlands
3.70:1
8%
Langford
3.16:1
41%
Metchosin
4.42:1
3%
N Saanich
6.80:1
25%
Oak Bay
1.79:1
4%
Saanich
3.82:1
Sidney
2.84:1
28%
Sooke
3.29:1
15%
Victoria
3.66:1
51%
View Royal
4.0:1
26%
Figures from Ministry of Community Services.