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Read more about current issues and resolutions.
Read articles in the Surrey Board of Trade newspaper, Business in Surrey
 ADVOCACY
The primary goal of the Surrey Board of Trade is to be the "Voice of Business" by acting as the advocate of business concerns in the city and beyond, up to and including national and international issues.
We will promote and defend your interests to decision makers, articulating your views across a wide range of issues, and present the business case to the Mayor, Provincial and Federal members of the legislature and parliament.
We have a strong record of achievement, and look forward to continuing to represent your issues.
Current Issues and the Board of Trade Positions
South Fraser Perimeter Road: The South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) is a proposed route that would seamlessly connect the major highways with the Federal Ports and Vancouver International Airport, removing the freight traffic from residential neighborhoods in Surrey. This freight traffic causes damage to the roads, congests roads and bridges causing traffic to move slowly, and creates all sorts of other inconveniences for communities and road users. Currently, the SFPR would be built at the final stage of the British Columbia (BC) Government"s Gateway Project. The Board takes the position that the BC Government ought begin construction immediately, building segments beginning with the section linking the Alex Fraser Bridge and the Port Mann Bridge.
Property Crime in Port Kells: Businesses in the Port Kells Industrial Area have complained that the instances of crime are growing and the police presence in the area is not. One of the major reasons the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are not committing more resources to the area is the lack of reporting by Port Kells business. The official number of property related offences may represent anywhere from ten to twenty percent of the actual offences committed. Due to the numerous complaints that have been received by the Board, a series of meetings has commenced to investigate the interests of the members of the Port Kells Industrial Area. The Board has also launched a joint effort with the RCMP in an effort to measure the true crime rate in Port Kells. The Board of Trade is continuing its research in conjunction with the RCMP, has added more business community breakfasts around the city, and supports all efforts to prevent and deter crime in everywhere in Surrey.
Trade Skills: Many members of the Board of Trade, and many members of the Surrey community, have noticed a decline in available trades people in Surrey. This is partially results from the perception that a University degree is always best and a career in the trades is a career of last resort. The Surrey Board of Trade holds the position that the Federal and provincial governments should create a marketing program to de-stigmatize a career in the trades and encourage those not attending University to pursue a trade. The Board presented this position to the Provincial government's Standing Committee on Finance.
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: The Board of Trade is committed to keeping our members up to date on the latest business opportunities available in conjunction with the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics being hosted by Vancouver/Whistler.
Surrey Board of Trade Agricultural Initiative: The Board of Trade has committed greater resources than ever to help agricultural business in Surrey elevate their profile.
Members Forum: Have Your Say: Members of the Board of Trade are invited to comment on any of the current advocacy issues before the Board as well as suggest future pursuits.
Advocacy Successes
Improved Policing in Port Kells: Working with a committee businesses from the Industrial area of Port Kells the Surrey Board of Trade brought the plague of crime in the area to the attention of the Surrey City Council, the Surrey RCMP, the Solicitor General and other MLAs. This started a process which culminated in a greater awareness of the needs of the region. In addition there was a commitment of business owners to report all crime so that a better picture could be developed, and the appointment of a police liaison officer to the district. There were Distict improvements in Port Kells as a result.
Cyber Crime in Canada: The use of the internet as a tool of crime is rising. The dedicated professionals working to thwart Cyber Crime lack resources, and the traditional police staffing procedure sees people rotated in and out of positions where a high level of skill and training is required. The Surrey Board of Trade submitted a resolution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce calling for the Federal Government to establish a task force and Commissioner to, among other things, change the traditional police staffing procedures and allow officers skilled and trained in detecting Cyber Crime to continue doing so without losing out in their careers.
Education:The Surrey Board of Trade was an active participant in lobbying to have Simon Fraser University create a campus in Surrey, now located at Central City Towers. The Board made presentations to the BC Government's Standing Committee on Finance supporting funding for new campus for Kwantlen University College to allow for the growing number students. Just recently, a new Kwantlen campus opened in Cloverdale. Perhaps the greatest success for the Board was reversing the formula for funding public schools and achieving a funding balance for primary and secondary schools in Surrey. After lobbying all levels of government, Surrey schools now get their fair share of funding, rather than five percent below the per pupil funding received by schools outside the lower mainland.
Fraser Downs: Fraser Downs is one of the top 10 employers in Surrey providing 1000 full time equivalent jobs both directly and indirectly through horse racing. The introduction of slot machines to Ontario race tracks caused horses and stables situated at Fraser Downs to head east for the higher purses. On behalf of the Operators of Fraser Downs, The Surrey Board of Trade lobbied the Municipal Government and submitted a joint resolution (with Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce) to the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce to allow slot machines at Fraser Downs. In December, 2003, Surrey City Council approved the addition of slot machines. Presently, Fraser Downs Gaming Centre operates 200 slots and the new $20 - $30 million renovation will add room for 300 more slot machines.
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