L to R: Vivien Symington, Club Aviva and Tri-Cities Chamber Board Director; Jennifer O’Connell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam; Ben Craig, Investors Group; Isha Ruparelia, Tri-Cities Chamber; Richard Stewart, Mayor of Coquitlam; Jason Zanatta, Novo Textile Company Ltd; Leslie Courchesne, Tri-Cities Chamber; Shaun Govender, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Kevin Richter, Douglas College; Kathryn Millar, Indigenous Worx and Tri-Cities Chamber Board Director; Jim Allard and Daniel Allard, Allard Contractors & Coquitlam Concrete.
(TRI-CITIES) August 22, 2022 — Nine Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce members including Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart attended a roundtable discussion focused on eliminating barriers to free trade within Canada, supply chain issues, procurement policies, and regulatory challenges. Jennifer O’Connell, Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam heard concerns, fielded questions, and outlined the federal government’s next steps.
“Internal trade barriers cost Canada’s economy billions each year. In some cases it can be more difficult to do business with other provinces or territories than with other countries,” said Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer, Tri-Cities Chamber. “Governments need to cooperate to give local companies a clear path to innovate, to respond quickly to changing market demands, and to thrive. The free flow of goods, services, and people within Canada is long overdue, and is vital to local prosperity and a competitive national economy. Today we heard compelling cases for this from local businesses connected to construction, hospitality, transportation, and healthcare/PPE production.
“My sincere thanks to Parliamentary Secretary O’Connell and MP McKinnon for this opportunity, and to our members who attended this robust discussion focused on specifics and solutions.”
The Tri-Cities Chamber advocates on behalf of business to all levels of government. If your business is experiencing challenges related to government policy, programs, or regulations, contact Leslie Courchesne at ceo@tricitieschamber.com.
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Since 1971, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has been the largest business association serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, now representing 800+ businesses from every sector. The Chamber works to foster economic development, provide connections and benefits, and influence public policy at all levels of government to ensure strong business and strong community. The Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.
For more information, contact:
Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
ceo@tricitieschamber.com
604.468.6870