PRESIDENT’S REPORT –
OCTOBER 2017

Let me start with expressing what an honor it was to represent the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce at this year’s Canadian Chamber AGM in Fredericton, New Brunswick alongside our Vice President, Paul van Koll, and our Executive Director, Colleen Clark. We had several tasks to perform while we were in Fredericton, one of them being making sure that your voice is heard at the Federal level by taking forward policies that affect how you do business here in Langley. The second was being one of 5 finalists in the Chamber Video Competition which received 70+ entries. 

We are proud to announce that we won bronze in the Chamber Video Competition. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce won the gold with an amazing presentation and membership program. We are very proud of our team at the Chamber for working hard on your behalf. This is not the only award our office has achieved this month. We also won the BC Chamber Executives Marketing and Communications award for a Chamber of 500+ members. This is judged by members of the media from around BC and is a fantastic achievement for our team. 

We are also very proud to say that all 5 of the policies that we co-sponsored were passed by the delegates at this year’s AGM with the most controversial being “Stop the Harmful Tax Changes on Private Corporations.” This policy was brought forward as a late resolution by over 27 Chambers across the country and was passed by 98.8% of the voting delegates. Never before have this many Chambers supported a late resolution with this much enthusiasm. 

As most of you are aware, October 2nd marks the end of the consultation period for the Federal Government’s tax changes. We have never heard such an up roar on one particular issue. While the official consultation may be over, our fight will not end. In fact, we’re keeping the pressure on. Write your letters, send in your emails, and now join in our video campaign to make sure your voice is heard.  

We are asking our members to shoot a short video explaining how these changes will affect your business, employees, family, and your community. Tag us in the video or send it to us directly! Together we can make our voice heard in Ottawa! I look forward to hearing from our members on this tax issue. Let’s not give up. We must make sure that business is heard. #ProtectGrowth

October is Small Business Month in Canada and the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating on our various social media networks as well as bringing you several educational and networking opportunities. With sessions on Board Governance, how to Amplify your Business with Video, Member Benefits 101, Business After Hours at BDO, U40 Lunch and Learn, and our Business Excellence Awards. In addition to those opportunities we are also bringing in Global Affairs Canada and the Women’s Enterprise Centre to speak at our October Dinner Meeting to educate our members regarding some of the amazing resources available to assist small businesses grow!

Jack Nicholson,
President