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MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Amalgamation and Regional Services Top Chamber 2015 Priorities January 29, 2015 – Victoria, BC – malgamation and regional services top The Chamber’s 2015 policy priority areas. Not surprising, considering the overall support for amalgamation was 75 per cent in favour on the recent non-binding referendum questions. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce board of directors approved six policy priority areas for this year at the January 27th board meeting. With the provincial government about to embark on an amalgamation study in the Capital region it is essential to have the business community involved. Amalgamation, and more recently regional services, have been long-time priorities for The Chamber. Improving efficiencies as well as long-term vision and planning are vital to the economic prosperity of our region. “Our community has areas in which efficiencies and effective decision making have been difficult. For example, sewage treatment and continued transportation issues throughout the region aren’t being resolved,” said Bruce Carter, CEO of The Chamber. “We understand that amalgamation may not directly address the specific problems we see as a business community. We are open to solutions that will directly address areas of concern, which are mostly with services or issues that are regional in nature. We want to be part of the conversation going forward.” Other Chamber priority areas for 2015 include transportation, labour supply and retention, municipal financial accountability, and local economic development. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, with approximately 1,400 members, is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region and has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. -30- Additional information: 2015 Chamber Priority Areas Article: Understanding Regional Districts Article: Consolidating Regional Strengths For more information contact: Janet Crocker Policy and Communications Manager Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Email: jcrocker@victoriachamber.ca Phone: (250) 360-3476 Bruce Carter CEO Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Email:: bcarter@victoriachamber.ca Phone: (250)360-3470
MEDIA RELEASE
January 29, 2015 – Victoria, BC – malgamation and regional services top The Chamber’s 2015 policy priority areas. Not surprising, considering the overall support for amalgamation was 75 per cent in favour on the recent non-binding referendum questions. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce board of directors approved six policy priority areas for this year at the January 27th board meeting. With the provincial government about to embark on an amalgamation study in the Capital region it is essential to have the business community involved. Amalgamation, and more recently regional services, have been long-time priorities for The Chamber. Improving efficiencies as well as long-term vision and planning are vital to the economic prosperity of our region. “Our community has areas in which efficiencies and effective decision making have been difficult. For example, sewage treatment and continued transportation issues throughout the region aren’t being resolved,” said Bruce Carter, CEO of The Chamber. “We understand that amalgamation may not directly address the specific problems we see as a business community. We are open to solutions that will directly address areas of concern, which are mostly with services or issues that are regional in nature. We want to be part of the conversation going forward.” Other Chamber priority areas for 2015 include transportation, labour supply and retention, municipal financial accountability, and local economic development. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, with approximately 1,400 members, is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region and has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
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