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Mr. Paul Holden, President and CEO and Mr.
Frank Bassett, Chair, Board of Directors, Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT)
appeared before the Committee outlining the important economic development
achievements over the past year and noting the many initiatives that have
been supported throughout the City of Burnaby.
Mr. Holden provided an overview of the
Vision and Mission Statements, as well as highlighted the organization’s
Strategic Objectives.
The speaker noted that the BBOT is
playing an integral role in the City of Burnaby’s Economic Development
Strategy (EDS), and many initiatives outlined in the EDS are implemented by
the BBOT. The key activities include collaboration with the City of Burnaby
(i.e. membership on many committees, literature with information on business
licensing, events); new business recruitment and retention (i.e. economic
development staff training, BC Economic Development Agency membership,
sector-specific events and promotions, area-specific surveying); focus on
small business; Business Resource Centre; and Economic Development Portal.
Mr. Holden further noted that the
BBOT helped coordinate a City of Burnaby multipage feature in BC Business
magazine to showcase Burnaby as a business destination. The magazine is a
guide to working, living and relocating to Burnaby, and highlights some of
the reasons of why Burnaby is a world class location.
The speaker highlighted the BBOT’s
involvement in the City’s Social Sustainability Strategy (SSS). The BBOT’s
Social Development Committee addresses areas such affordable housing,
immigrant integration, as well as socially-sustainable and family friendly
workplaces. Their Access Student Career Development addresses important
economic issues and provides students with the connections and tools they
need to compete in the job market, while providing local businesses with
access to top young talent. Approximately 300 post-secondary students have
been mentored through the Access Program since 2012.
Mr. Holden advised that the BBOT
supports the City’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) by
sustainable business practices, and Pledge for a Sustainable Community (which
has been recognized locally, nationally and globally for leadership in the
category of Corporate Social Responsibility).
In conclusion, Mr. Holden provided
an overview of the BBOT’s working committees – Pacific Gateway, Indo-Canadian
Working Group, Access, Burnaby Young Professionals, Social Development,
Environmental Sustainability, Government Relations; Women’s Business Success
Network, and Membership, innovative programs, and list of events organized by
the organization. The speaker thanked the City for the ongoing support and
strong working relationship with the BBOT.
Arising from discussion, the
Committee introduced the following motion:
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