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 February 2010: Powering Up The Chamber Network

August 2009:  Chamber HST Information

Study: The Economic Impact of Agriculture in Abbotsford

February 3, 2009:  Buy American Action Letter

January 28, 2009: City of Abbotsford Budget Consultation

December 2, 2008: Put Canadians Ahead of Politics

Position Paper:  Blueberry Cannons

Advocacy Update

As Abbotsford grows the activities of the Chamber have been shifting to match the needs of our members and the business community as a whole.

More and more time and effort is being spent on advocacy. The Chamber is represented at an unprecedented number of committees, boards, review panels, advisory committees and agencies. The Chamber utilizes an extensive network of volunteers to bolster staff to ensure we are adequately represented locally and regionally.

The Chamber has produced a number of position papers over the last number of years on a wide variety of issues pertinent to trade and commerce in Abbotsford. In addition we have sponsored or co-sponsored numerous resolutions to the floor of the B.C. and Canadian Chambers of Commerce Annual General Meeting with great success.

The Chamber has positioned itself to be “top of mind” when questions of the Abbotsford business community are being garnered by:

• City of Abbotsford
• Metro Vancouver
• Federal Government
• Provincial Government
• FVRD
• Crown Corporations
• Local MLA’s and MP’s
• Sectoral Organizations

The Chamber has a seat on the board of Tourism Abbotsford and The Friends of UCFV,

The Chamber is active with the following committees;

• Lower Mainland Transportation Panel
• Restorative Justice Committee
• Taxi Bylaw Review
• Agriculture Advisory Committee
• Economic Development Commission
• Social Development Advisory Committee
• Sister City Committee
• Abbotsford Spirit of B.C.
• Environmental Advisory Committee
• Abbotsford Transportation Task Force

Most recently the Chamber participated on the following initiatives

• Development Cost Charges Review
• Sign Bylaw Re-write
• Official Community Plan
• City Council Stipend Review
• Translink Governance Review
• Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancel Centre
• Mt. Lehman Interchange
• Plan “A” and Capital Legacy
• Campus 2020