Mission, Advocacy, and the Role of the Surrey Board of Trade
Since the mid-1500s, the role of boards of trade has been to further the interests of businesses through advocacy and actions that support the business community. This means that boards of trade do not always see eye-to-eye on all issues with their stakeholders, including different levels of government. Boards of trade are bound to achieve their missions, which for the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) is that “a business climate conducive to the success of its members and wider community” exists in Surrey. Included in this mission is the following end to achieve: “Government decision-makers are provided with information on current and emerging issues and how their decisions impact business.” The Surrey Board of Trade, and its CEO, Anita Huberman, are bound by policy and ethics to work hard to achieve this mission successfully. This means that, at times, the SBOT may take policy positions that put the organization at odds with other stakeholders, such as board of trades of other cities, private business associations, and government agencies. This is not a bad thing - decision-makers can come to informed conclusions when different points of view are heard and relevant information is shared. Two issues that the SBOT has advocated for on behalf of our members will help illustrate this point: Universal Pharmacare and Light Rapid Transit.
Universal Pharmacare: The SBOT has taken a position at odds with the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce with our stance in support of a universal single-payer national pharmacare plan. The provincial and national chamber bodies support a “fill the gaps” approach to pharmacare that would see the private/group insurance system remain basically the same but create new coverage for people who currently do not have insurance. There are good arguments for both approaches, but the SBOT chose to strongly support the single-payer plan because our detailed research and consultations demonstrated that this approach was the best for our member businesses and would save them money that could be re-invested into their businesses (businesses would save $750 each year, on average). Our research and communication on the topic included papers and policy positions we published on the subject, hosting member meetings where experts discussed the issue, and debating the topic at provincial and federal chambers of commerce conventions. While our position is at odds with the majority of chambers of commerce and boards of trade in the country, we are able to disagree and still maintain a strong relationship with our peer organizations, as witnessed by the SBOOT being selected as one of three finalists for Board of Trade of the Year by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Differences of opinion on specific issues does not preclude us working with our partner chambers and boards of trade on other issues that will be resolved more readily with mutual support.
Light Rapid Transit: Over the past few years, the SBOT has advocated strongly for a light rapid transit line that would connect the city centres of Surrey. This position is at odds with the current City of Surrey and Translink decision to expand Skytrain to Fleetwood. While both positions have arguments that support their case, the SBOT’S position is based on what we believe is for the best for the majority of our members, many who own and operate businesses in the city centres of Surrey. Our research and communication on the topic includes papers and policy positions we published on the subject, hosting member meetings where experts discussed the issue, and meetings with City of Surrey staff and politicians on the matter. While our position on this topic is at odds with the City of Surrey’s, we are bound by policy and ethics to advocate for what is best for our member businesses. In much the same way as we maintain a good working relationship with our fellow chambers and boards of trade despite disagreement on some topics, we value a strong working relationship with the City of Surrey despite holding different positions on some issues. There are many areas of our mandates and missions where mutual support is for the betterment of the citizens and businesses of Surrey, and the SBOT will continue to seek to work cooperatively with the City on these projects.
In conclusion:
The Surrey Board of Trade is a mature business association that strives to do the best for its members and the wider community. The positions we take are based on research and consultation with our members and on our mandate to achieve the mission of the organization. While we may not agree at all times with our stakeholders and partners, we are always ready to work cooperatively with them on projects that help achieve our mutual mandates.
PLUS:
We recently held our planning session in partnership between the board and staff (photos below) and you will see some of our brainstorming and actions that we will be taking on the economy. There is much to focus on and much to celebrate!