International Trade committee  I think it's incredibly important. It comes as no surprise to anybody on the committee that there are interprovincial trade barriers that exist, but in regard to the port strike, yes, we did see some of this highlighted when it was very difficult to get goods across the country.

International Trade committee  You're quite right that the calculator factors in only the value of goods. The Royal Bank did some analysis and found that 63,000 containers were impacted. When we look at the broad economic impact, though, the calculator didn't take in the lack of inventory affecting small and medium-sized businesses around their sales, production or the other kinds of impacts that really come to bear, including the catch-up time it took after.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much. Good morning, Chair, vice-chairs and members of the committee. I'm presenting today from the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. On behalf of our membership of over 5,000 businesses, I thank you for the opportunity to discuss the significant economic impacts of the 13-day strike this summer at Canada's west coast ports.

International Trade committee  Thank you and good morning, Madam Chair, vice-chairs and members of the committee. As mentioned, I'm Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. I'm presenting today from the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

Finance committee  I asked for both. I asked for cutting taxes, but I think that primarily what we're talking about in our recommendations is an overhaul of the tax system to simplify the tax system. I think there are other areas where there could be incentivization for businesses, which would be a reduction in certain areas.

Finance committee  Yes, and thank you for the question. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is part of a group called the Canadian Global Cities Council. We are boards of trades or chambers from the nine largest cities across Canada. We have a long-standing recommendation to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.

Finance committee  I think we need a stronger economic growth agenda.

Finance committee  I think all governments need to work together to deliver a stronger economic growth agenda.

Finance committee  I think it's important that you're talking about it. You mentioned cutting taxes, and I mentioned simplifying the tax system. I think the two are quite different. Canada is an incredibly complex place to do business. We have a very complex tax system. We have a complex regulatory system.

Finance committee  When we're talking about some of the challenges that we're facing in the business community and in the economy, it's also important to note that Canada's R and D intensity ratio of 1.8% remains below the average of 2.7%, which placed us in 17th position in 2020. When we're looking at it from a business perspective, it is about creating a competitive environment in a global environment, so it is, as I said, the tax and regulatory system that is making it very difficult to get projects built in Canada.

Finance committee  What I would point to is the survey we did with our members just prior to our submission. The vast majority of our members are very concerned about their economic outlook and their business prospects in this next year, and that is for a number of factors. It is because of high inflation.

Finance committee  I would, again, point to the survey results from our members, who are concerned about their prospects in the coming year. I would again repeat that the government has the responsibility and obligation to create the kind of environment that can help businesses thrive, and in a time when there are significant economic headwinds, there's work to be done.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question. Given that we represent over 5,000 members, many of which are small and medium-sized businesses, there has been a call for an extension in repaying those CEBA loans. Many of the businesses that speak to us are working in a situation where they're also dealing with public safety concerns and crime.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question. I would say that this has been a focus of ours and the provincial government's here in British Columbia over the last six months or so. There has been some good action taken on this, but businesses could be further incentivized, such as through an incentivization program for microcredentialling.

Finance committee  When it comes to affordability measures for businesses—and that's really who I represent—again, it is about the layering on of taxes and affordability for small and medium-sized businesses. The carbon tax continues to increase, and our position is that it should be revenue-neutral, as it was when it was first designed here in British Columbia back in about 2008.