SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) is weighing in on the recent release of the 2019 federal budget.
“The 2019 budget has taken steps to address some priorities for business, particularly in the areas of skills, infrastructure and broadband," said Tara Maddix, executive director of the GSCC. "But it fails to provide concrete measures to address the tax and regulatory burden on business.”
According to the chamber, some issues not addressed in the budget included a renewed commitment to eliminating inter-provincial trade barriers and mobility, support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them find new export opportunities and expand Canada’s ability to diversify trade.
Members of the chamber are pleased to see the federal budget delivered on some initiatives identified by a member survey from the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. These included the extension of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project in support of regional population grow.
Alternately, the budget did not address a key issue identified by the more than 16,000 members of the chamber network in Atlantic Canada, which is to reduce the budget deficit of $19.8 billion.
“Some budget 2019 proposals require more consideration and details before determining the impact on businesses," said Maddix. "Heading into the 2019 federal election, the GSCC, along with the Canadian and Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, will continue to engage with federal representatives to continue to support the growth of our economy.”
