ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE Board of Trade announces Inclusive Business Forum to take place on July 5 2 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE AND ITS MEMBERS | JUNE 2019 | VOLUME 59 / ISSUE 6 | BOARDOFTRADE.COM Business community applauds tax relief from city hall ECONOMY | Vancouver council votes in favour of two-per-cent property tax shift from commercial to residential he Greater Vancouver the important role that business- industrial businesses since 2013. Board of Trade is applaud- es play by creating jobs, paying The 2018 Metro Vancouver Ting Vancouver City Coun- wages to residents, and paying Municipal election survey, cil’s recent decision to approve taxes that provide supports for VoteLocal, found that 37 per cent a two-per-cent shift in property residents,” said Iain Black, Presi- of businesses stated that they taxes from commercial proper- dent and CEO of the Greater Van- were considering leaving our ties to residential properties. couver Board of Trade. region. A Vancouver Economic Council made the decision on “In fact, affordability is top-of- Commission report found that April 30, in an effort to provide mind for many employers in our if just 10 per cent of industrial some relief for the Vancouver region. One of the best ways to businesses leave Vancouver in business owners who employ improve affordability is to grow the next two years, $700 mil- residents from across our entire our economy and ensure that lion in revenues, 6,000 jobs and region. The vote followed advo- our region and city is a place $250 million in wages will go cacy efforts and council presen- where businesses can thrive.” with them. tations by the Greater Vancouver Between 2008 and 2012, when The same survey noted that 80 Board of Trade, Downtown Van- the last tax shift took place in per cent of businesses ranked couver Business Improvement the city, overall business li- increased operational costs, and Association, and others on the cences grew by four per cent property taxes specifically, as impact that rising costs facing or 2,165 businesses. Excluding one of their top concerns. local businesses. short-term rentals — which are As a result of the vote, the tax In the City of Vancouver, com- newly allowed and regulated roll will shift one per cent in 2019 mercial businesses make up only businesses — we have lost 1,356 and 0.5 per cent in both 2020 and seven per cent of total proper- businesses in the City of Vancou- 2021. Businesses that own or are ties and yet they have been ver since 2012. a tenant in an average commer- shouldering 42 per cent of the In other words, while our city’s cial property can expect savings tax burden. For the city’s small population has grown by over of $508 in 2019. businesses, that’s not a sustain- classified as small businesses. “Affordability is the most press- 40,000 since 2012, we have lost Conversely, it’s estimated that able approach. For those business owners, this ing issue facing our community. businesses. By comparison, the the shift will amount to an extra A staggering 98 per cent of all tax shift will have a very mean- But what is often lost in the con- City of Surrey has seen a 12 per $22 in taxes in 2019 for the aver- businesses in Vancouver are ingful impact. versation around affordability is cent increase in commercial and age $900,000 condo. SB Hockey hot stove A conversation starter A fond farewell Photos from the 32nd annual Governors’ NHL Commissioner Gary Chair Lori Mathison on a new Outgoing President and CEO Banquet and Rix Awards 6 Iain Black reflects on his tenure Bettman joins Canucks cross-country campaign to Meet the winners of the Chairman Francesco Aquilini support Canada’s natural leading the Greater Vancouver 2019 Wendy McDonald for GVBOT panel discussion 2 resource economy 4 Board of Trade 3 Diversity Awards 7 FOR THOSE WHO CAN DISCERN BETWEEN AN EXPENSE AND AN INVESTMENT. ere’s no substitute for doing business in person. So conduct yours with fast, exible and convenient business charters ying world-wide on our Bombardier Challenger 605. Featuring impressive in- ight productivity amenities, including Wi-Fi, plus customs clearance, ground transportation and more. 604-272-8123 · TOLL FREE: 1-877-399-8123 · FAX: 604-233-0202 · LONDONAIR.COM GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADe | SOUNDING BOARd | JUNE 2019 2 events and speaKers HUMAN RESOURCES | A more SPORTS | NHL Commissioner diverse workforce to speak at GVBOT Board of Trade to host Inclusive Business Forum on July 5 Special sold-out ‘Hot Stove’ will kick off NHL Entry Draft Weekend in Vancouver t is widely accepted that workplaces that foster a ancouver will play centre Iculture for inclusion per- stage to the hockey world form better. However, there is Vwhen it hosts the 2019 no one-size-fits-all approach to NHL Entry Draft later this month inclusiveness. on June 21 and 22. On July 5, the Greater Vancou- To help kick off the festivities, ver Board of Trade will host In- NHL Commissioner Gary Bett- clusive Business Forum 2019, a man and Vancouver Canucks half-day event that will explore owner Francesco Aquilini will how employers can effectively participate in a panel discussion engage and support a diverse at the Greater Vancouver Board workforce, while highlighting of Trade on June 21, discussing businesses in our region that are the state of the league, future in- proactively creating a workplace novations in the sport, and cele- culture of inclusion. bration plans for the Canucks’ Gary Bettman The forum will feature three upcoming 50th season. panel discussions with business This special sold-out event will owners and executives focused feature a “Hot Stove” panel dis- and community-minded initia- on three themes: meaningfully The second panel will explore Speakers confirmed so far cussion that will provide insights tives are just a few examples of engaging and training employ- how employers can provide the include representatives from into the upcoming 2019-20 NHL the ways Commissioner Bett- ees with developmental dis- right training, tailored to young Microsoft, Buy Low Foods, Save season and give guests an exclu- man has brought the NHL to a abilities, securing buy-in from adults living with development- on Meats, the University of Vic- sive chance to hear from two of broader audience, through more senior management for diversity al disabilities, to grow our talent toria, and more. the league’s most prominent media platforms, than any time and inclusion strategies, and the while preparing them for mean- In addition, the event will fea- individuals. in league history. implications of changing legisla- ingful careers. ture a keynote address by the Bettman has served the NHL In recognition of his many con- tion on diversity and inclusion. The third and final panel will Honourable Shane Simpson, as Commissioner since February tributions to the game, he was In the first panel, industry discuss how small and medium- B.C.’s Minister of Social De- 1993 and has guided the world’s inducted into the Hockey Hall of leaders will discuss what it sized businesses are making it velopment and Poverty Reduc- top professional hockey league Fame as a member of the Class takes to achieve leadership sup- work and will uncover the tools tion. SB through more than two decades of 2018. SB port for diversity and inclusion and strategies they use to ef- of growth and advancement on strategies, what these strategies fectively engage and support Registration for Inclusive and off the ice. This event is now completely entail, and how to overcome set- a diverse workforce to foster a Business Forum 2019 is now Record revenues, record attend- sold-out. To join the wait-list, backs and roadblocks. workplace culture of inclusion. open at boardoftrade.com/inclusive. ance and numerous fan-friendly visit boardoftrade.com/nhldraft. UPCOMING EVENTS Is there a speaker you’d like to hear from or topic you’d like See our full events calendar at boardoftrade.com/events explored? Make a suggestion at boardoftrade.com/suggest FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2019 THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2019 Indigenous Opportunities Forum 2019 Members’ Reception with Company of Young Professionals Signature Programs Presented by CN Donnelly Group Leadership Cafe: Evolving workplaces Special Event: The colours of summer 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 5 – 7 p.m. and future generations 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver Donnelly Hospitality Suite Vancouver Art Gallery, Rooftop Pavilion 900 Canada Place 595 Hornby Street KPMG Ignition Centre - 12th Floor 750 Hornby Street KEYNOTE 777 Dunsmuir Street Event Partner: Vancouver Art Gallery FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 Presenting Sponsor: Chartered Professional Accountants of Crystal Smith Signature Sponsor: BCIT Business B.C. Chief Councillor, Haisla Nation Council Sold Out Supporting Sponsors: London Drugs, SFU Beedie School of Signature Sponsor: BCIT Business Business, Langara School of Management SESSION 1 NHL Hot Stove with Gary Bettman and Leveraging Ownership Francesco Aquilini THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2019 FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2019 SESSION 2 8:30 – 10 a.m. CN: Moving Forward Beyond Our Culture, Language, and Community Parq Vancouver Hotel Inclusive Business Forum 2019: 100 Years Legacy 39 Smithe Street Engaging and supporting a diverse SESSION 3 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. workforce Procurement and People: Investing in B.C. Gary Bettman 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. First Nations Communities Commissioner, National Hockey League Fairmont Waterfront Hotel 900 Canada Place Fairmont Hotel