The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has stated that it is 害羞草研究所渆xtremely concerned害羞草研究所� about increased government costs causing a 害羞草研究所渄ramatic downturn害羞草研究所� in the forestry industry.
On Sept. 13, the chamber released a statement in which it said all levels of government need to 害羞草研究所渨ork together to halt the slide into negative numbers and closures being experienced across wide swaths of the forest industry in B.C.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淭he cumulative impact of increased costs at every level is colliding with decisions around mill closures,害羞草研究所� said Nikki Csek, president of the Kelowna Chamber.
害羞草研究所淚nstead of allowing these cost increases, from the employer health tax by to increased property tax, each level of government should be working together to lower costs as a means of assisting the forest industry in order to save jobs and help BC害羞草研究所檚 economy.害羞草研究所�
The chamber said that in the past year we have seen:
- Increased stumpage costs (July 2019)
- Increase in carbon taxes
- Property tax increases
- Employer Health Tax 害羞草研究所� new, high taxes for any firm with a payroll over $500,000
- Federal corporate tax changes and increases
- Continued failure to cement a new softwood lumber agreement
The Kelowna Chamber also said workers are beginning to cross the border into both the United States and Alberta to find stable work.
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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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