Advocacy

50/50 Rule on ALR Lands

August 2026 - We've recently joined our voice with our provincial Chamber network in advocating for changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve's 50/50 Rule.

Earlier this year, the BC Chamber network adopted Eliminating the 50-50 Rule to Strengthen Food Security and Agrifood Processing in B.C. The policy calls for a more flexible approach that supports food-processing investment, strengthens markets for BC farmers and maintains protections for agricultural land.

We believe reducing the current requirement would create greater flexibility for food-processing investment while continuing to protect agricultural land. Done thoughtfully, this change could help strengthen markets for BC farmers, encourage value-added agricultural activity, and support investment that keeps more of the agricultural value chain here in British Columbia.

Our advocacy letter has been sent to Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, with copies provided to Premier David Eby, MLA Lawrence Mok, MLA Tony Luck, and the office of the MLA for Abbotsford-Mission.

Read our letter here.

Province of BC’s proposed regulatory changes to expand food processing on Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land.

BC PST Expansion Information

August 2026 - In the spring earlier this year, the Province of BC announced a significant change in Budget 2026 that will expand the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to a range of professional services, effective October 1, 2026.

As of October 1, 2026, PST (7%) will apply to the following services:

Accounting (including bookkeeping and assurance)
Architectural services
Engineering and geoscience services
Security services (including private investigation, alarms and guards)
Non-residential real estate services (including commercial trading, rental property management, and strata management)

For architectural, engineering, and geoscience services, PST will only apply to 30% of the total service fee.

We are encouraged to hear that the government's Select Standing Committee has recommended that the Province repeal the planned expansion, which is exactly what Chambers have been advocating for. While this doesn't represent a change in the policy yet, we are hopeful that the BC government will take note of this and other committee recommendations before the expansion takes effect.

For more information on how this change will affect your business, CLICK HERE.

New Business Survey

If you are a business that is less than 2 years old, please tell us about your experience starting a business in Mission through our NEW BUSINESS SURVEY.

As the Voice of Business, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce works toward making the region a competitive place to do business. That is why advocacy is core to our mandate.

Working with the municipality and through partnerships with Economic Development, the Chamber is able to ensure that business concerns are heard.

In collaboration with local Chambers and as a member of the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, we work with regional, provincial and federal policy-makers to continuously improve the business environment.

The Mission Chamber's Advocacy Committee recently developed a flowchart to show the Path to Advocacy. See it HERE.

BC Chamber Policy Development

The BC Chamber's grassroots policy-development process is second-to-none in British Columbia. Every year, the membership, Chambers of Commerce, and Boards of Trade develop policies that reflect B.C. businesses' on-the-ground needs. Through this process, the BC Chamber membership endorses approximately 50 new policies every year at the Annual General Meeting.

BC Chamber 2026/2027 Policy Manual

Canadian Chamber Policy Development

Every year, member chambers of commerce and boards of trade, along with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s policy committees, are invited to submit resolutions of a national scope to the Canadian Chamber policy process. This process culminates in a democratic vote on the floor of their annual general meeting. Following approval at the AGM, we, along with our members, can move forward in our advocacy efforts based on the resolutions contained within the Policy Resolutions Books. Each resolution, once approved, has an effective lifespan of three years.

Canadian Chamber 2025 Policy Manual

Canadian Chamber Policies

Recent accomplishments for the MISSION CHAMBER have included:

Once policies are approved at the BC Chamber or Canadian Chamber, the MRCC continues to work with local members of parliament to encourage government support for the policies and to push for change.