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Small business tax changes highlight Sask. Chamber visit

Oct 20, 2017 | 8:47 AM

Discussions over changing potential business tax changes and the benefits of chamber membership were front and centre at meet-and-greet in North Battleford last night.

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce visited the local Battlefords Chamber of Commerce Thursday to meet with members and boost Chamber support.

Saskatchewan Chamber CEO Steve McLellan said the event was “an opportunity for businesses that are not current members of the Chamber to come and learn what the Chamber network does, what the Battlefords Chamber can do for them, and what they can do for the Chamber.”

Business Taxes

McLellan also has his eye on the political climate and how it impacts small business concerns.

One issue the Saskatchewan Chamber continues to be focused on is the federal government’s proposed changes to taxation that would create challenges for small business.

“There is still concern across the country,” McLellan said. “The process is horrendous. They made it harder on the business community and them as the federal government than they needed to be.” 

“It’s not that business people have a problem paying taxes, we want to pay fair taxes,” McLellan added.  

He said the federal government’s proposes around taxation changes were “a big deal,” from when they were launched in the consultation period in July until this week, when more details have been coming forward.

“Clearly, the Saskatchewan Chamber and the Battlefords Chamber have been very active on the file,” McLellan said, adding that the federal government needs to have some “clear, concise objectives, and people around the table who can come forward with recommendations to make tax in Canada fair.”

Working Together 

He said active members can help the Chamber network too, as well as the broader business community.

McLellan added the Saskatchewan Chamber’s mandate is to make Saskatchewan “a better place to live, work and invest.”

Battlefords Chamber of Commerce president Warren Williams echoed McLellan’s comments about businesses working together.

“We think we can help them with their business, but we also think they can help us,” he said. “It’s a two-way street.”

Williams added the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce has a rich history. It has been around for about 112 years – first as a board of trade, then as the Battlefords Chamber itself.

Provincial Politics

The Chamber is also closely keeping an eye on the Saskatchewan Party leadership race.

“We’re really watching what they say now because they may be held to it once they get elected by their members,” the CEO said.    

McLellan added he hopes the new leader will come and talk to the people around the province just as the candidates are doing now.

ABEX awards coming up

McLellan also took the opportunity to extend his best wishes to everyone participating in the Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) awards, held at TCU Place in Saskatoon Saturday, Oct. 21. Gold Eagle Casino is a finalist in the marketing category at this year’s ABEX awards. The annual award ceremony is run by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow