The Prince George Chamber of Commerce was apart of a virtual meeting yesterday (Monday) with the Finance Committee who handles the 2021 BC Budget deliberations.
The local chamber brought forward a policy recommendation they had made at the BC Chamber AGM calling for enhancements to rural and remote broadband internet.
CEO, Todd Corrigall spoke with MyPGNow.com.
“We know the province will be looking for shovel-ready infrastructure to help people get back to work and then to stimulate the economy and so, one of the major one recommendations we are asking for is that these last-mile projects and shovel-ready projects start to move forward.”
Corrigall adds they sent a letter to the BC Government last week, which was also signed by a league of 15 chambers from across the province asking them to reconsider the minimum wage increase that took effect Monday.
It went up nearly a dollar to $14.60 an hour, a hike that is being viewed as a burden for businesses.
“As we look at some of the new challenges and this is a conversation that’s been ongoing is how is the provincial government going to assist businesses who need to bare the cost of these enhanced measures like plexiglass, hand sanitizer stations, and half-capacity.”
“It’s just another burden for businesses to face right now and we know that money won’t necessarily be re-entering the economy it will just be leaving businesses and that makes it more challenging for them to keep people employed,” added Corrigall.
“We know that historically there have been significant overpayments to WorkSafe BC and what we are asking for is that money should filter back out to the businesses so they can utilize those overpayments to now protect themselves, their teams, communities, and families.”
The City of Prince George is meeting with the Finance Committee today.