Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce calls on Provincial government to continue with supports for local business recovery

The Prince Rupert and District Chamber is reinforcing the need for continued assistance from the provincial government, releasing today an information release calling on the new government of Premier John Horgan to recommit to its work on COVID recovery measures for small and medium businesses.

As part of a correspondence today, Michelle Boomars-MacNeill, President of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce applauded the sentiments provided in the Speech from the Thorne, which paid tribute to the front line workers that have been in the forefront of the COVID response these last ten months.

“The gratitude conveyed by Lt.-Gov. Austin for front-line medical personnel, care workers and contact tracers is an expression which is echoed by our members and the North Coast community. Likewise, we commend the Government of BC for rapid development of an economic recovery plan that provides targeted support to sustain livelihoods in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis."

Towards the other themes of the Throne Speech from Monday, the Chamber President highlighted some of the positive notes along with a limited number of business recovery measures, specifically those directed towards the small business recovery grant and PST rebates. 

However, the Chamber’s directors have also urged the provincial government to amplify its efforts to assist those businesses most severely affected by the pandemic, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. 

The Chamber also takes note of  more specific information about promised “rewards” for companies which are adding staff, especially small- and medium-sized organizations, is vital to restoring confidence in the economies of BC’s rural communities.

“Many of our members have benefited from provincial programs designed to ease the unexpected impacts of COVID-19. But we believe the BC government has received a strong mandate precisely to lead more finely-focused initiatives. We will continue to push our leaders to ensure that the unique priorities of North Coast businesses are addressed. Only collaboration between all levels of government and economic development organizations like ours will lead to a resurgence of commercial activity and its diverse benefits.” -- Michelle Boomars-MacNeill, President of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce

Further notes on the work of the Prince Rupert business organization can be found on their website.

To learn more of some of the current initiatives in place from the Chamber see their Facebook page.

For more notes on the Commercial sector in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.