Chambers of Port Communities to Work Together

May 28, 2007
Delta, B.C. (May 28, 2007) Chambers of commerce/boards of trade for ocean and river port communities throughout British Columbia have committed to working together to help facilitate the response of the province and the rest of Canada to the rapid growth in global trade by speaking up for the needs of local businesses and communities.

The chambers of commerce/boards of trade, as associations of businesses, reached this agreement at the annual general meeting of the BC Chamber of Commerce in Victoria, which ended on May 26. The resolution to collaborate came from the Delta Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.

"All our ports are linked to our massive, and in many respects antiquated, transportation infrastructure, of water, rail, road and air," says Delta Chamber of Commerce President, Maria DeVries. "And no community is more challenged in this way than Delta."

DeVries said that this huge demand on transportation to meet trade targets presents opportunities. It also comes with costs for local businesses and communities.

"A collaborative port strategy will ensure we can compete globally. But we need an injection of capital to invest in our infrastructure in this province. The provincial government and federal government, with our help, need to invest in what is best for trade to and from the whole country. They also need to invest in our local port communities so they will remain livable and support that investment in trade so critical in our global economy."

Founded in 1910 the 500-member Delta Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit association which cultivates a healthy environment for business, industry and commerce, and collaborates with governments and interest groups to achieve a sustainable community in Delta, British Columbia.

For more information, contact:
Maria DeVries, President
Delta Chamber of Commerce
Tel. 604-946-4232