As Surrey emerges as the future metropolitan centre of the Lower Mainland, the city is facing mounting economic pressures that could impact its trajectory.
So says the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (BIA), which blames rising tariffs, increasing supply-chain costs and ongoing labour shortages for "creating significant headwinds for businesses, developers and the broader local economy."
These issues will be tackled during a free-admission event, "Economic Impacts in Surrey: Navigating Tariffs and Labour Challenges," on Thursday, May 15 at Surrey's Civic Hotel. Registration is done on eventbrite.ca.
From 4 to 7 p.m., the panel discussion will feature "three distinguished voices in the industry" including Andrew Ramlo (vice-president of advisory services at Rennie), Chris Gardner (president, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, or ICBA) and Hayley Woodin Hastings (executive editor, Business in Vancouver, as moderator).
Ramlo will offer "a comprehensive analysis of the demographic, economic and housing trends shaping the region."
The event, to include a Q&A session and network, aims to help attendees understand "the economic implications of these issues and what they mean for Surrey’s continued growth and competitiveness."
Downtown Surrey BIA, previously known as Whalley Business Improvement Association, was formed in 2003 and now includes close to 1,400 members.
