Kamloops Chamber hopes provincial surplus will be invested into struggling business sector

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Milobar hopes the newfound surplus can be put back into programs to help British Columbians who are struggling with the cost of inflation and everything else rising.

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“Overall, what we are seeing is a stubborn resistance from this government, in spite of 24 new and increased taxes they have introduced, and record increases in all forms of tax revenue, to provide any type of meaningful relief,” added Milobar.

With calls being made for the funds to be invested back into the province, the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce hopes the government will prioritize the business sector which is still recovering from the pandemic.

“We’ve noticed throughout the course of the pandemic that the supports really weren’t there for small- and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profits. This is really a perfect time to reinvest that money into the communities that really need it the most,” said Chamber Executive Director Acacia Pangilinan.

Along with direct help to businesses, the chamber also supports funds going to tackle social issues in the city.

“At the end day, if the government has a surplus and more money is to be available to British Columbians, the business community is in need of that support. Any sort of support that can help them in this time, I think, would be welcomed,” said Pangilinan.

While the NDP did announce new programs, including a Climate Action Tax Credit, to help British Columbians earlier this month, the B.C. Liberal finance critic believes it comes a day late and a dollar short for those struggling.

“The government ignored its own election promise from the last two elections of a renter rebate. Supports and measures that people would be expecting normally if times are tough with their own household budgets, yet government is raking in record levels of taxation, just don’t seem to be materializing with this government,” stated Milobar.