The BC Chamber of Commerce releases the 2017-18 Collective Perspective Survey

(Featuring insights ranging from business optimism and housing affordability, to trade with China and the Kinder Morgan Pipeline)

Optimism is widespread about issues such as housing affordability and tax increases remain, according to a membership survey carried out by the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

91裸聊视频淲e want to know what91裸聊视频檚 keeping CEOs and business owners up at night,91裸聊视频� said Val Litwin, president and CEO of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

91裸聊视频淭his survey helps us identify what issues are top of mind for businesses in the province, and provides clarity on the choke points our members are facing.91裸聊视频�

The 2017-18 Collective Perspective survey was conducted by Abacus Data as early 900 businesses of all sizes, representing all sectors of the economy, and from all regions of the province, participated with responses.

91裸聊视频淭his is an essential snapshot of the sentiments of business in the province,91裸聊视频� said Bruce Anderson, of Abacus Data. 91裸聊视频淧eople are pretty happy with the way their businesses are performing today. Only eight per cent say their business is in poor shape, 33 per cent say acceptable, 61 per cent say good or very good, so we are looking at a business community that is pleased with where they stand.91裸聊视频�

Among the highlights extracted from the survey:

91裸聊视频� While business optimism and the five-year outlook remain high overall91裸聊视频� and relatively unchanged year-over-year91裸聊视频攖here is a slight weakening in some business91裸聊视频檚 goals to 91裸聊视频済row very significantly91裸聊视频� (down from 40 per cent to 36 per cent in 2017). In a year of political uncertainty and change in the province, respondents indicated they are less likely to consider the provincial government to be 91裸聊视频済enerally supportive of business91裸聊视频�, with an 18-point drop since 2016.

91裸聊视频淭his is to be expected in a year of transition,91裸聊视频� said Litwin. 91裸聊视频淗eading into 2018, we will see if this anxiety is founded.91裸聊视频�

By contrast, perceptions about the federal government are down as well, but the change has been less severe at six points, while views of local government91裸聊视频檚 orientation towards business have improved.

91裸聊视频� While the health of the economy91裸聊视频攁t a national, provincial, and local levels91裸聊视频攔emains the most important factor in helping growth prospects for B.C. businesses, the cost of housing and taxes are the greatest perceived threats to business growth. Housing affordability remains a major concern for businesses in both being able to attract younger people, and new business, to B.C.

91裸聊视频�The 2017-18 survey showed businesses in B.C. rate federal tax changes floated by the federal government in 2017 likely increased the number of respondents believing federal taxes are actively hurting their business indicate with a year-over-year increase from 12 to 18 per cent. At the provincial level, most businesses want their government to focus on taxes with one in three indicating a cap on the differential between residential and business property taxes is the preferred solution, and one in four saying a made-in-BC value-added tax (VAT) is the preferred solution.

91裸聊视频� Respondents identified access to91裸聊视频� and the cost of91裸聊视频攍abour as one of the top five issues hurting business growth. This is felt acutely in the food, hospitality, and tourism industries. Three in five businesses want to see an easily understood and accessible portal to the tax credits and grants currently available to employers, as well a more gradual increase to minimum wage as a solution for 91裸聊视频榓ccess to91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频榗ost of91裸聊视频� labour). On the growth side, there was a material year-over-year increase in the number of businesses saying free trade with China is 91裸聊视频済ood for BC91裸聊视频� (a 10-point lift) and trade with China is 91裸聊视频済ood for my business91裸聊视频� (a 12-point lift).