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Quick economic recovery without crushing taxes.
That's what the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce wants the provincial government to stick handle as we all yearn for a fast bounce back from the pandemic.
"We spoke to two key areas," said Kelowna chamber executive director Dan Rogers.
"Continuing the response to COVID 19 and growing the economy as we recover. The second area is of critical importance: We can't tax ourselves back to growth. We must implement bold policies that change the way we manage our economic future without heaping more financial burdens on business."
Rogers submitted the chamber's input this week to the Provincial Finance Committee during its stop in Kelowna as part of a province-wide tour.
The committee will take into consideration the wishlists of individuals, businesses, groups, organizations, institutions and unions when making recommendations to the government for next year's provincial budget.
Here's the chamber's wishlist:
- Targeted sector support for businesses impacted the most by COVID, especially tourism-related companies
- Tax relief at all levels
- Recovery that supports diversity and inclusion, particularly Indigenous tourism
- Innovation, investment and fewer constraints for the aviation industry so it can grow
- Opening Kelowna airport to international travel again
- Addressing attainable housing
- Spending to improve Okanagan transportation infrastructure
- Removing inter-provincial trade barriers
- Protect agricultural land, support farmers
- Reduce the unfair cost burden of mental health issues and homelessness on neighbouring businesses
- Protect waterways from invasive mussels
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