Advocacy & News

Our mission is to support business prosperity through networking, shared services, advocacy, and events. The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce vision and mission along with our close connection to the community guides every decision we make as an organization, particularly our policy and advocacy work.

Chamber Priorities

Priority Item
Number 1

Competitive Business Environment

Traditionally, cost competitiveness has been an advantage that we have had in New Brunswick, however, this has eroded over the past five years (pre-pandemic). NB businesses have seen increases in the minimum wage, property tax, corporate tax, HST, EI rates, carbon tax, CPP increases, and land transfer tax, (amongst other costs).

However, the business environment is about more than just costs. It also includes the regulatory environment (red tape, roadblocks to development, overlapping jurisdictions, etc.), availability of housing, health care, and more.

New Brunswick businesses are already some of the most over-regulated, and overtaxed in North America. The tax burden is still one of our key issues provincially and at the federal level.

Priority Item
Number 2
Priority Item
Number 3

Advocacy

Joint Chamber Letter – NB Urban Mental Health Strategies – November 22, 2022

Nov 30, 2022

Commentary – Reforms crucial to a more prosperous region and province

Nov 29, 2022

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Response to the Fall Economic Statement – November 3rd, 2022

Nov 04, 2022

Commentary – Making New Brunswick a better place to work and do business

Oct 24, 2022

Commentary – Save EI and our economic recovery –

Sep 26, 2022

Response from Minister Fitch on Medicare delays for newcomers

Sep 09, 2022

Employment Insurance Revisions: Key points put forward by Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton chambers

Sep 09, 2022

Commentary – Energy, hope and optimism – but not enough workers

Sep 08, 2022

Commentary – Making The Case For a Prosperous Future

Aug 29, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber Letter to President of Air Canada – YSJ Flights

Aug 11, 2022

2020-2021 Budget Priorities – Finding Strategic Alignment

Aug 09, 2022

2022-2023 Provincial Budget Priorities

Aug 03, 2022

Commentary: Seizing Opportunities For a Strong Energy Future

Aug 02, 2022

Medicare Delays for Newcomers – Chamber Letter to Minister Fitch

Jul 28, 2022

Employment Insurance Revisions: Key points put forward by Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton Chambers of Commerce

Jul 26, 2022

Letter to Minister Green – Provincially designated highways funding program for Town of Rothesay

Jul 18, 2022

Energy, hope and optimism – but not enough workers

Jun 30, 2022

New Brunswick Allotment For Provincial Nominee Program & Atlantic Immigration Program

Jun 16, 2022

Temporary Immigration Support For Food Service Business

Jun 16, 2022

Saint John Region Revving Back Up

Jun 08, 2022

Prompt Payment Legislation Follow Up Letter – June 6-2022

Jun 08, 2022

Capping Food Delivery App Fees

May 30, 2022

2021-2022 Food Service and Liquor Licensing Fees

May 30, 2022

Premier Higg’s Response to Economic Reopening & Recovery Letter

May 30, 2022

Economic Reopening & Recovery from Covid 19 Pandemic

May 30, 2022

Rapid Testing Kits Available Through Chambers of Commerce

May 12, 2022

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Granted Intervenor Status by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

May 12, 2022

Chamber Releases Poll Results on Businesses Plans for Reopening

Mar 16, 2022

The Chamber Launches 2021 Bare Necessities Campaign in Partnership with the Greater Saint John Community Foundation

Nov 30, 2021

Chamber Announces “#LiftUpLocal” Campaign

Sep 10, 2021

Chamber Releases Results of Vaccine Passport/Document Poll

Aug 25, 2021

Chamber Launches Vaccine Passport Poll

Aug 11, 2021

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce statement on Federal budget 2021

Apr 20, 2021

Commentary: YSJ Has Closed Again, Lets Make Sure That Doesn’t Last

Jan 12, 2021

Majority of businesses support plastic bag ban: survey

Nov 09, 2020

As Airports Struggle, City’s Business Community Lobbies For Help

Aug 28, 2020

Taskforce will boost YSJ

Jul 27, 2020

Fixed Cost Relief Letter – NB Chambers

Apr 13, 2020

Pandemic Preparedness for Business

Feb 07, 2020

Commentary: A Bright Energy Future for Greater Saint John

Jun 29, 2019

City of Saint John steering in the right direction

May 07, 2019

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Responds to Federal Budget 2019

Mar 19, 2019

New Brunswick’s Carbon Plan: A Tax on All of Us

Dec 06, 2018

Death by 13,000 Cuts – Improving Canada’s Regulatory Competitiveness

May 02, 2018

Fair, Simple, and Competitive Taxation: The Way Forward for Canada

Dec 02, 2017

Ten Ways to Build a Canada That Wins

Nov 02, 2017

Federal Tax Submission – 2017

Sep 28, 2017

Letter to MP’s – Tax Planning Using Private Corporations

Aug 07, 2017

News

Stay informed with updates about our advocacy efforts, business events, announcements, and local news.

Chamber Announces Appointment of New CEO

Mar 18, 2024

Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Appoints Interim CEO

Feb 07, 2024

Saint John Region Chamber Board of Directors announces retirement of David Duplisea as CEO

Feb 07, 2024

Air Canada to add flights to Montreal and Toronto from Saint John

May 23, 2023

Air Canada picking favourites with its N.B. service, Saint John Chamber says

Mar 30, 2023

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation launches the 22nd Annual ‘Bare Necessities’ campaign

Dec 15, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Receives National Accreditation – Organization recognized for continuous long-term excellence

Dec 09, 2022

Winners Announced for the Prestigious Outstanding Business Awards

Oct 19, 2022

The Chamber announces finalists for the 40th Annual Outstanding Business Awards (OBA’s)

Oct 06, 2022

New Flights Added at YSJ Air Canada Meets With Local Growth Agencies

Sep 28, 2022

Michael Sadavoy appointed as Director of Membership Development & Marketing

Jul 25, 2022

Rapid Testing Kits Available Through Chambers of Commerce

May 12, 2022

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Granted Intervenor Status by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

May 12, 2022

Chamber Releases Poll Results on Businesses Plans for Reopening

Mar 16, 2022

The Chamber Launches 2021 Bare Necessities Campaign in Partnership with the Greater Saint John Community Foundation

Nov 30, 2021

The Chamber Announces Winners of the 37th Annual Outstanding Business Awards

Nov 04, 2021

Thomas Simms donates Portrait of His Grandfather, L.W. Simms, to the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce

Oct 22, 2021

Chamber Announces “#LiftUpLocal” Campaign

Sep 10, 2021

Some Businesses May Ask For Proof Of Vaccine: Chamber

Aug 22, 2021

‘Pointy tip of the spear’ New Chamber Chairperson Says Businesses Will Need Help After Pandemic

Jul 02, 2021

From Silicon Valley to Saint John: Workcation Success ‘Almost Overwhelming’

Jun 20, 2021

Duplisea Decries Slim Small Business Support in Province’s Budget

Jun 01, 2021

Chamber Announces Saint John Region Matters 2021 – Meet the Candidates

Mar 10, 2021

‘Workcation’ sees big interest in early months

Mar 09, 2021

Investment in Sussex area sawmill ‘good news’ for community: Mayor

Dec 14, 2020

As Airports Struggle, City’s Business Community Lobbies For Help

Aug 28, 2020

Commentary

Stay up to date with commentary pieces from the Chamber team.

Building on the reversal of our fortunes

Feb 26, 2024

Weighing competition versus collaboration

Jan 29, 2024

Reflecting on the successes and challenges of 2023

Jan 18, 2024

Business Champions Benefit Community

Nov 27, 2023

We Need To Find Solutions in Housing

Sep 28, 2023

Time to Hold Air Canada Accountable

Sep 07, 2023

Strengthening Our Community and Economy

Sep 07, 2023

Paying People Not To Work Is Absurd

Sep 07, 2023

Bring On The Cruise Ships

Sep 07, 2023

Focus On People To Fuel Prosperity

Apr 26, 2023

Budget for Success Not Survival

Mar 30, 2023

Strong businesses lead to strong communities

Feb 27, 2023

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation launches the 22nd Annual ‘Bare Necessities’ campaign

Dec 15, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Receives National Accreditation – Organization recognized for continuous long-term excellence

Dec 09, 2022

Joint Chamber Letter – NB Urban Mental Health Strategies – November 22, 2022

Nov 30, 2022

Commentary – Reforms crucial to a more prosperous region and province

Nov 29, 2022

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Response to the Fall Economic Statement – November 3rd, 2022

Nov 04, 2022

Roaring for Romero House – November 2nd, 2022

Nov 01, 2022

Commentary – Making New Brunswick a better place to work and do business

Oct 24, 2022

Winners Announced for the Prestigious Outstanding Business Awards

Oct 19, 2022

The Chamber announces finalists for the 40th Annual Outstanding Business Awards (OBA’s)

Oct 06, 2022

New Flights Added at YSJ Air Canada Meets With Local Growth Agencies

Sep 28, 2022

Commentary – Save EI and our economic recovery –

Sep 26, 2022

Presentation to the Nuclear Safety Commission

Sep 09, 2022

Response from Minister Fitch on Medicare delays for newcomers

Sep 09, 2022

Employment Insurance Revisions: Key points put forward by Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton chambers

Sep 09, 2022

Commentary – Energy, hope and optimism – but not enough workers

Sep 08, 2022

Commentary – Making The Case For a Prosperous Future

Aug 29, 2022

Commentary – Making The Case For a Prosperous Future

Aug 29, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber Letter to President of Air Canada – YSJ Flights

Aug 11, 2022

Letters

Letters sent from the Chamber representing the businesses of Saint John and surrounding areas.

MV Fundy Rose – Digby, NS to Saint John, NB Ferry Service

Nov 27, 2023

Response Letter from Premier Blaine Higgs Re Urban Mental Health Strategies

Mar 01, 2023

Bill 27 re: Amending the Employment Standards Act

Feb 28, 2023

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Greater Saint John Community Foundation launches the 22nd Annual ‘Bare Necessities’ campaign

Dec 15, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce Receives National Accreditation – Organization recognized for continuous long-term excellence

Dec 09, 2022

Joint Chamber Letter – NB Urban Mental Health Strategies – November 22, 2022

Nov 30, 2022

Commentary – Reforms crucial to a more prosperous region and province

Nov 29, 2022

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Response to the Fall Economic Statement – November 3rd, 2022

Nov 04, 2022

Roaring for Romero House – November 2nd, 2022

Nov 01, 2022

Commentary – Making New Brunswick a better place to work and do business

Oct 24, 2022

Winners Announced for the Prestigious Outstanding Business Awards

Oct 19, 2022

The Chamber announces finalists for the 40th Annual Outstanding Business Awards (OBA’s)

Oct 06, 2022

New Flights Added at YSJ Air Canada Meets With Local Growth Agencies

Sep 28, 2022

Commentary – Save EI and our economic recovery –

Sep 26, 2022

Presentation to the Nuclear Safety Commission

Sep 09, 2022

Response from Minister Fitch on Medicare delays for newcomers

Sep 09, 2022

Employment Insurance Revisions: Key points put forward by Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton chambers

Sep 09, 2022

Commentary – Energy, hope and optimism – but not enough workers

Sep 08, 2022

Commentary – Making The Case For a Prosperous Future

Aug 29, 2022

Commentary – Making The Case For a Prosperous Future

Aug 29, 2022

Saint John Region Chamber Letter to President of Air Canada – YSJ Flights

Aug 11, 2022