Volume 02 | May 2022
Spring is in the air!
Dear Members,

Happy Spring! The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and your Chamber is hard at work creating an awesome year for business. Please find our updates below on what's going on in Lillooet.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, our team us just an email away.

Johannes Bodendorfer
Lillooet & District Chamber of Commerce
Business Advocacy
District of Lillooet
Financial Statements & Municipal Tax Rates
In the April Council meeting the District of Lillooet accepted the 2021 Financial Statements, and proposed the 2022 municipal tax rates. The financial statements show a very health $1.4 million annual surplus which will be added to the District's reserves.

Proposed tax rates are a 3.5% increase across most property classes, in line with other municipalities. The Chamber is actively advocating to the District about how any additional funding should be used to support the Lillooet business community.
District of Lillooet
Cayoosh Creek Campground Contract Awarded
The Cayoosh Creek Campground Operations contract was officially awarded to Jillden Property Services for a 1-year term. As the only respondent to the RFP, discussion at Council was limited and supportive of the proponent. The contract value was set at $43,000 for the term.

Further discussion about the campground operations will be happening in upcoming council meetings, including possible winterization of the RV sites.
BC Chamber of Commerce
Request to Withdraw Bill 10 on Union Certifications

The BC Chamber of Commerce co-signed a letter to Premier Horgan about withdrawing Bill-10 which proposes changes to the union certification process and other labour relations.

The letter reads in part: " We write to express our dismay with changes your government has proposed to the certification provisions of the Labour Relations Code (“the Code”). These changes will have economic repercussions across the province as businesses work to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. They will also needlessly destabilize the labour relations balance in British Columbia."
Chambers React: 2022 Federal Budget

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released its statement on the 2022 Federal Budget. calling it a "mixed bag". Some highlights include the gradual phase out of the small business tax rate after $15 million, funding towards a trusted employer program for Temporary Foreign Workers, as well as targeted supports for specific industries.

However, the budget falls short on key areas such as the absence of debt relief for businesses, a review of the SR&ED tax credit, and updates to the Competition ct.

Chamber Projects
Ukraine Newcomer Project
The Lillooet Chamber team is supporting an initiative by one of our Chamber members to bring Ukrainian immigrants to Lillooet through a federally funded immigration program. Ukrainian newcomers will be provided housing and employment in Lillooet, and support the business community here in town.

If you and your business is interested in employing a Ukrainian newcomer, please fill out the survey below and let us know how to contact you. The Lillooet Chamber will support all employers who are interested in supporting the development of staff. Funds are available for training and
New Chamber Business Directory
The Lillooet Chamber of Commerce has created a new business directory for our members to use. While the Chamber is still adding businesses to the directory, we will be using this directory in the future to refer partners to our member businesses.

If you do not want to be listed in the directory, please contact the Lillooet Chamber.
Upcoming Chamber Events
Past Event: Annual General Meeting & Social

Thank you all for an amazing Annual General Meeting at the Miyazaki House! We had over 30 members attend, with many new faces in town. This was the first of many social events which the Lillooet Chamber will hold. Stay tuned for more events!
May 6th - Farmers Market Opens
Come Join for the 1st Farmers Market of the season!

Vendors and businesses alike will benefit from this year's market season. Chamber staff will also be at the market to discuss business issues.

Market opens: Friday, May 6th at 10:30am

May 25th - Fundamentals of Excel Business
TRU in collaboration with the Lillooet Chamber will host a workshop on Microsoft Excel Tips & Tricks. The workshop will be hosted the week of May 25th. The Lillooet Chamber will contribute up to 50% towards the cost of the workshop for Chamber members.

Sign Up today to learn about Microsoft Excel!
Member Talk: Business Continuity Planning
Welcome to our first Member Talk!

The Chamber has invited Andre Kuerbis with AFK Consulting to walk us through the basics of business continuity planning.

Natural Disasters, succession, or business interruptions can all be challenging for businesses. It is important to plan for continuing operations in all eventualities.

Date to be determined.
Business Tools & Resources
Business Continuity Planning Tool
The Business Continuity Plan will help you react to disruptions like COVID-19, floods, fires, and more so you can protect your employees and assets so your business can continue to operate.
State of the North Report
Northern Development Initiatives Trust released the 2021 State of the North Economic Report which highlights the economy in year two of the pandemic and how our key industries fared.

Research &
Development Grants
You can commercialize your research and development projects sooner. Innovate BC’s funding helps you expedite your R&D and go-to-market faster. 
Each year we select 6-8 research projects to receive up to $300,000. 
Digital Adoption Grant Program
The Canada Digital Adoption Program is now accepting applications. The Grow your Business Online Grant helps small businesses take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.
Partner Updates
Lillooet Community Hub
Arts Lillooet hosted a Meet & Greet last weekend. The turn out was fantastic, and many artists got to meet each other. Make sure you are sign up to Arts Lillooet to stay in touch.

Lillooet Agriculture & Food Society
LAFS has a new Executive Director! Please join the Lillooet Chamber in welcoming Emily Jones to the team. LAFS is busy with many projects & initiatives, including the Farmers Market and a new cold-storage facility in town.
Lillooet Regional Invasive Species Society
Spring has sprung and with it comes Invasive Species Action Month. The Lillooet Regional Invasive Species Society is sharing ideas on how individuals or groups can take action to prevent the spread of invasive species. We are encouraging everyone to do what they can to prevent invasive species in our region and throughout BC.
Tourism Lillooet
Tourism Lillooet is working hard on making this year's visitor season a success. The team is working with the Miyazaki House, the Museum, and the Lillooet Chamber teams on developing strategies and events for our visitors.
Become a Chamber Member
Chamber Membership has its perks.
  • Join Over 100 Active Lillooet Businesses
  • Strengthen Your Professional Network
  • Participate in Exclusive Chamber Events
  • Receive Benefits & Discounts in Town