Member Education on Policy Education
Understanding Policy and Its Impact on Businesses What is Policy? Policy refers to the principles, rules, and guidelines established by different levels of government to regulate various aspects of society, especially in politics, economics, and business. It shapes the environment in which businesses operate, influencing everything from zoning laws and tax regulations to employment standards and community development. Who Makes Policy? Policy in Canada is created and enforced by 4 different levels of government: municipal, regional, provincial, and federal. Each level has distinct responsibilities that affect businesses in New Westminster. The Four Levels of Government and Their Responsibilities Level of Government Scope Responsibilities Who to Contact Municipal Government (City of New Westminster) Governs a city, town, or district; responsible for local services and bylaws. · Parks · Parking · Libraries · Roadways · Local police · Local land use · Fire protection · Public transportation · Community water
Urgent Action Needed to Address Impacts of Trump Trade Tariffs
Dear Ministers Joly and Bailey, On behalf of the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown New West BIA, we are writing to express our grave concerns regarding the anticipated economic repercussions of the recently announced trade tariffs set to take effect on February 3, 2025. As business representatives from a community deeply integrated into the regional and national economy, we urge the federal and provincial governments to take decisive action to mitigate the disruptions these tariffs will cause and to work towards a stable and constructive trade relationship with the United States, Canada’s largest trading partner. The imposition of new tariffs by the United States will have immediate and significant impacts on our local and regional businesses, particularly in the areas of supply chain logistics, shipping costs, cross-border sales, hiring capacity, and overall inflationary pressures. Many businesses in New Westminster and the Lower Mainland rely on trade with
Letter for the Railway Strike
Earlier this week, Board Chair Rich Patterson and Vice Chair Karima Jivraj sent an advocacy letter to our PM regarding the railway disruptions. As the situation continues to escalate, we know that businesses in our community are feeling the impact. We pledge to continue advocating for New West businesses moving forward, and will always support you throughout these challenging times. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any concerns or are in need of support, as we work through these difficult times together. ChamberLetterRailStoppage
Consider Supporting Small Business to Meet Essential Needs (A Request from the New West Chamber)
Many people are stocking up on supplies and with good reason. While panic is not warranted, prudent preparation is. The economic impact of this pandemic will be painful for many people, but the small businesses who are just getting by may be the hardest hit. There will likely be a desire for many families to isolate themselves and this could have a disastrous effect on our local economy. Our request is that, if you need to shop, we ask you to consider supporting your local small business. Our community is better when it is full of thriving and vibrant small businesses. They are the ones who support your lacrosse or baseball team and the ones whose families go to local restaurants and shops. Please consider them in the coming weeks and months as the response to COVID-19 unfolds. Coming together as a community In times of uncertainty there is a