Surrey Board of Trade Calls for National Strategy on Managing COVID-19
With COVID-19 cases increasing at an alarming rate, our leaders face a difficult balancing act. The challenge for us is to chart a path forward that protects the health and safety of Canadians and their economic well-being at the same time.
“The Surrey Board of Trade has been advocating for region-specific solutions for different parts of BC and Canada but a national strategy for COVID management is also urgently needed,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “The Surrey Board of Trade joins the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in their call to implement a plan to replace Canada’s current patchwork approach of reacting to daily numbers. It is neither socially nor economically sustainable to rely heavily on rotating lockdowns while we wait for an effective vaccine to be widely administered throughout the year.”
A coherent national strategy must include all three levels of government working together as partners, collaboratively addressing these six key components:
• Data-driven, science-based policies to limit the spread of the virus
• Significant, widespread rapid testing and contact tracing
• Open, transparent communications and consistent messaging
• Tailored support for the hardest hit economically
• A well-designed, well-organized and wellcommunicated plan for vaccine administration
• A holistic approach to evaluating the costs and benefits of actions to control the disease
“There is tremendous confusion nationally. Some common policies, joint coordination and messaging would alleviate that confusion. This will become even more important once vaccines begin to roll out.”
Show your support by signing the petition letting the government know we need a national strategy to control the pandemic. PETITION: nationalstrategy.ca/support-theplan
Over the past year, our officers have had the opportunity to engage with local businesses in a manner we never thought we would see in our policing careers. Our COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team has visited thousands of Surrey businesses to ensure they have the information they need to operate safely. And while we wish our visits were not related to a pandemic, it has been a good way to stay connected with Surrey’s business community.
In other news, this past November, the police chief was named for the Surrey Police Service. It was my pleasure to work with Chief Lipinski when he served with the RCMP, and I look forward to working with him again.
It is important to know that, at this time, the RCMP continues to maintain responsibility for policing in Surrey.
The transition of police services is a long and complex process, particularly for a detachment of our size. As such, Surrey RCMP will continue to manage operations until there is a new agreement in place. Please feel confident that your safety remains our top priority as we move through this policing transition process.
The Surrey Board of Trade, in partnership with the Presidents Group, is offering access to free training to help build your skills and confidence in employing people with disabilities. The content is relevant to anyone involved in hiring or managing people.
This 5-part course can be completed online at your own pace. Each module takes about 30 minutes to complete.
You will learn the business case for inclusive workplaces, legal requirements and terminology and common workplace barriers employers can address. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate and your company can be listed on the accessibleemployers.ca website.
CALL TO ACTION:
Join the Surrey Board of Trade CEO and the Presidents Group Co-chair on March 11 at 10:00am for a discussion about why inclusive employment matters.
Contact melissa@businessinsurrey. com to register.
The LNG Canada project is the largest private sector investment project in Canada’s history.
“Without much needed investment in infrastructure projects, our economy will not be able to recover to its fullest potential,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “Efficient and effective investment into natural resource industry sectors, specifically the
LNG industry, will drive our economy locally, provincially and globally, and at the same time support local businesses and cities.”
A recent report by the Conference Board of Canada analyzed the economic impact this scale of investment would have across the country.
• Between 2020 and 2064, total annual investment would average over $11 billion, totalling in excess of $500 billion over the entire period
• More than $90 billion in revenue could be generated for provinces and territories in Canada. Of this total, over $78 billion would accrue to BC
• For Canada as a whole, LNG would mean 96,550 more jobs a year and over $6 billion in wages
• BC’S GDP would increase by more than $8 billion annually, or just over 3 per cent
• BC would see a gain of 71,000 jobs
• The Federal Government could expect to see $64 billion in additional revenue
• BC, Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec would all see permanent job increases
• The top employment gains annually, as a result of an expansion in Canada’s LNG industry, would be in the following sectors: o Engineering and construction:
24,500 new jobs o Retail and wholesale trade: 14,300 new jobs o Professional, scientific and technical services: 12,800 new jobs o Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction: 7,900 new jobs o Manufacturing: 6,700 new jobs o Transportation and warehousing: 5,000 new jobs o Finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing: 6,100 new jobs o Accommodation and food services: 4,300 new jobs o Admin and support, waste management, remediation: 4,600 new jobs o Health care, social assistance, and other services: 3,200 new jobs o Information, culture, arts, and recreation: 2,200 new jobs
Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that is cooled to around minus 160 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, it becomes a clear, colourless and odourless liquid. It is non-corrosive and non-toxic. Because natural gas has a fraction of the fine particulate matter of coal and fewer carbon emissions, more than 30 countries around the world currently import natural gas as LNG is a pathway to help reduce air pollution and meet climate targets.