The Surrey Board of Trade is calling for a return to the business vote in provincial elections.
“Businesses bear the burden of taxation, even though they create jobs, give back to their communities, and make significant investments in the province, but they are not allowed to participate in the election process,” Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman said in a press release.
Between 1976 and 1993, British Columbia had a corporate vote that allowed businesses to vote in provincial elections. The basic argument for a corporate vote was that anyone who pays taxes should have a say in who is in government, including business owners.
It was ended in 1993, but the board of trade thinks it should be reinstated.
“Elected officials at the provincial level must be held accountable to business taxpayers through the electoral process,” the business association says in a news release.
“Some businesses have owners that live in other jurisdictions than where they operate, and so have no ability to exercise their vote to elect leaders that have their business’ interest in mind. This needs to change. Businesses are an essential part of the community and need to have a voice in the election process.”
