The 73rd B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference took place from June 3-5 in Nanaimo, where 171 delegates from various regions gathered to discuss pressing issues impacting the business community. This year’s theme, ‘Stronger Together: Building the Future of Business through Collaboration,’ highlighted the importance of cooperative efforts in addressing challenges faced by businesses.
During the conference, delegates engaged with local, provincial, and federal government representatives and discussed various policy resolutions critical to the small business sector. This year, a total of 40 policy resolutions were introduced, with 38 receiving approval for inclusion in the 2025-26 Policies and Positions Manual. These resolutions covered a wide array of topics, including regulatory reform, interprovincial trade barriers, and support for small businesses.
One notable resolution came from the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, which collaborated with local cannabis producers and retailers to develop a policy aimed at enhancing profitability in the cannabis sector. A key component of this policy was the elimination of the 15 percent excise tax on cannabis products, which garnered overwhelming support with 96 percent approval from delegates.
B.C.’s cannabis industry is currently grappling with significant economic challenges stemming from high taxation, stringent regulations, and competition from the illicit market. Despite estimated regulated cannabis sales reaching $6 billion in 2024, many of the province’s top cannabis operators remain unprofitable. The combination of excessive taxation and pricing pressures from illegal operators has hindered growth in the sector.
The federal legalization of cannabis aimed to improve public safety, reduce the illicit market, and boost the economy. However, the current hurdles facing B.C.’s regulated cannabis industry undermine these objectives, necessitating urgent policy reforms to support its survival and growth.
In addition to the cannabis policy, other key resolutions approved at the conference included: – Reducing interprovincial trade barriers to bolster the B.C. economy. – Revising federal immigration policies to enhance workforce availability in Canada. – Accelerating new housing developments to meet target completion timelines. – Addressing immigration and regulatory barriers to attract health professionals to rural areas. – Amending paid sick leave provisions in B.C. – Maximizing Canada’s energy potential for economic growth. – Supporting post-graduate work permits for international students. – Removing obstacles to increasing rental accommodation supply.
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce serves as a platform for local businesses to communicate their priorities to policymakers. President Rebeckah Hornung emphasized the importance of the B.C. Chamber AGM in guiding provincial advocacy efforts. Through collective lobbying for supportive policies, chambers contribute to the economic prosperity of their communities.
As the cannabis sector continues to face challenges, the approval of the Nelson Chamber’s policy on excise tax indicates a significant step toward addressing the economic viability of the industry in B.C.
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