The Prince George Chamber of Commerce was in Kamloops last weekend for the 2018 BC Chamber Annual General Meeting and brought forward one resolution.
The resolution focused on amendments to the recent changes to limited dual agency representation in the real estate industry. The changes are most felt in northern and rural communities, says PG Chamber CEO Todd Corrigall.
“People who are looking to utilize the same realtor on deals if there is a relationship that is preexisting, what the superintendent was looking to do was phase those opportunities out,” he explains.
“In our consultations with the Northern BC Real Estate Board and the BC [Real Estate Association], it became very clear that these impacts would be felt not only by real estate professionals but also by buyers and sellers.”
The resolution includes a six month review period where a committee consisting of people with real estate experience and expertise would provide government with an assessment of proposed impacts, as well as considering other solutions to mitigate any concerns. This received majority consent at the AGM and will be actioned on behalf of Realtors across BC.
“We engaged with the Northern BC Real Estate Board as well as the BCREA, who brought this issue to us in the first place, and then what we did was we engaged with a number of our members who are real estate professionals to get a little more background and information and move that forward,” Corrigall says.
The PG Chamber also had a helping hand in passing three other resolutions. They were on:
- Engaging Business and Community on Electoral Reform;
- Minimizing Undue Negative Impacts of the Employer Health Tax; and
- Protecting Funding for Tourism Marketing Programs and Projects
“We noticed a tremendous amount of alignment amongst regional Chambers in BC this year – identifying new business crippling taxes and fees implemented through the Provincial Budget,” said Corrigall in a statement.
“We have a responsibility to ensure business has access to the discussions with Government at all levels, and these resolutions clearly reinforce our commitment to building a strong and vibrant business community in Prince George.”