Proposed Federal Tax Changes
If you have been following our updates, you know we are in advocacy high gear regarding the tax changes the federal government is proposing.
Learn more at our “Business Update with MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones” at Hunter Gather on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from 4 – 5pm.
Event Info & RSVP Here >>
The Challenge:
Are you a business owner? If your business is incorporated, then you could be facing a larger tax bill and big compliance costs from the government’s new proposals to change the way corporations are taxed.
3 things you need to know about the proposed changes:
- Do you employ family members? The government wants to scrutinize their compensation to apply a much higher tax rate on income they consider “unreasonable”.
- Do you invest the profits from your business? The federal government is proposing to tax that income at an effective rate of 70%.
- Do you want to pass your business on to your children? Tough new rules make it difficult for younger kids to get the capital gains exemption. They could be double-taxed.
We’re Taking Action:
- Providing a template letter to send a message to your MP today. Download Template Letter
MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, British Columbia:
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Liberal Party of Canada
Mail letters to:
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones,MP
Room 583 Confederation Building
Ottawa ON
K1A 0A6
Email: pam.goldsmith-jones.a2@parl.gc.ca
2. National Postcard Campaign
Come pick up a postcard at the Whistler Chamber office and simply add your name, business and brief sample of why these tax changes will hurt your business. Chambers from across Canada are providing postcards for members to mail their opposition Ottawa.
3. #ProtectGrowth Campaign
Film a video message telling your story of how the proposed tax changes will impact your small business and send it to protectgrowth@chamber.ca so we can share them on the #ProtectGrowth website and social media. Videos should be about one minute in length and be taken in front of your business location if possible. These videos do not need to be fancy and can be recorded on an iPhone or similar device.
4. The Whistler Chamber’s Advocacy Committee consulted with the local accounting firms to assist in creating our own letter to MP Pamela Goldsmith Jones.
READ WHISTLER CHAMBER LETTER TO MP
5. The Coalition for Small Tax Fairness
Thirty-five business groups, including the Canadian Chamber—on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of members they represent—have presented two letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau asking the government to take these proposals off the table and instead meet with the business community to address any shortcomings in tax policy affecting private corporations.
August 30th letter >> September 26 Letter >>
6. Proposed Tax Changes – Member Poll: Data from a Member Poll gathered crucial Whistler-specific intel on this issue that was provided to MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and enabled us to advocate on as the voice of Whistler business.
POLL IS NOW CLOSED – READ RESULTS
Results for our Members:
Whistler Chamber CEO, Melissa Pace had a phone meeting with our MP, Goldsmith-Jones on Wednesday, September 13. In speaking with Pamela, she is sympathetic to our business community needs and is motivated to make changes to support small business. She will be speaking with Minister Morneau’s Chief of Staff Thursday, September 14 on this issue and has a personal meeting with Minister Bill Morneau in Ottawa next week. In preparation for this meeting in Ottawa, she looks forward to our community’s input as she is drafting a letter to the Minister to assist in changing his mind over the proposed small business tax reform.
On Tuesday, October 4, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones had this to say about the proposed tax changes:
“I have received over 1200 emails opposed to some or all of the changes, and I have spoken to hundreds of you personally. I am actively presenting your views to Minister Morneau, his staff team and my caucus colleagues. Thank you for your candid and insightful views. I believe it is in the public interest to allow the Minister to consider this vital input and provide a formal response as soon as possible.”
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones to speak directly with Members in Whistler at Hunter Gather on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from 4 – 5pm.
Event Info & RSVP Here >>
Stay tuned for more as we continue to advocate on this issue over the coming weeks.
Whistler Chamber hosts Elected Officials for Advocacy in Action Community Discussion
Whistler Chamber hosts Elected Officials for Advocacy in Action Community Discussion May 31, 2021 The Whistler Chamber of Commerce was proud to host Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country, and Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West...
Whistler Chamber Responds to new Health Orders
Whistler Chamber Responds to new Health Orders April 22, 2021 On March 31, 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, announced a series of health orders that would have implications across the province. The Whistler Chamber posted a response by...
Advocacy in Action – Celebrating the Power of Connection
Advocacy in Action - Celebrating the Power of Connection February 25, 2021 On February 18, the Whistler Chamber held our monthly Advocacy in Action: Member Input Session. Melissa Pace, CEO of the Whistler Chamber, connected virtually with eight Members and...
BC PNP Program – Letter to Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
BC PNP Program - Letter to Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation UPDATE: February 17, 2021 The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has resumed invitations to 31 occupations that were under a temporary suspension. This is a big win for Whistler...
Member Represents Whistler Businesses in Conversation with Prime Minister
In December last year, Patrick Weiler, MP, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, reached out to the Whistler Chamber to ask for a list of Members who would…
Welcoming the New Cabinet Ministers
On November 26, Premier John Horgan announced a new slate of cabinet ministers who will lead BC through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the economic recovery.
Use Your Voice: COVID Impact Survey
With rising COVID cases, the Whistler Chamber is running another COVID-19 ‘Pulse Check’ Survey to see how your business is impacted during this critical time. We want to hear your voice.
2020 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM
Last week Diana Chan, Chair of the Whistler Chamber’s Board of Directors and CEO, Melissa Pace, attended the two-day virtual Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and policy sessions…
BC Chamber Network Launches Building Resilience to Thrive Program
Last week, the Building Resilience to Thrive program, powered by the BC Chamber of Commerce network and UVic’s Gustavson School of Business, launched to businesses across the province…
Labour Survey Results: Majority of Whistler Businesses Expect to be Under-Staffed this Winter
Whistler’s labour shortage has persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Despite an increase in Canadian recruitment, 68% of Whistler businesses with 50 or more employees did not have enough staff in summer 2020…