Chamber identifies top barriers

The Policy Committee of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce reviewed the recently released 2016 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness prepared by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.  While recognizing that all 10 barriers affect the business community in Yorkton and area, the Yorkton Chamber identified the 4 barriers that have the greatest effect.  These include Poor literacy, numeracy and digital skills are limiting productivity in segments of Canada’s workforce; Public policies block small companies from becoming bigger; Canadian resources cannot get to world markets; and Internal barriers to trade cost Canadians billions and restrict investment.

Brent Murdock, Chair of Yorkton Chamber’s Policy Committee says these barriers are of concern to the local business community. “Employees who are unable to adapt to the advancement of technology in the workplace are at a real disadvantage,” he said. “In turn, employers endeavouring to adopt technology may be hampered if the skill set of their employees is unable to use the technology. This may hamper growth and expansion of businesses in the area and may hamper investment.”

Further to the growth of businesses, policies such as corporate tax rates and the complexity of tax laws inhibit the growth of small businesses. “These policies need to be reviewed and the legislation and regulations overhauled to remove the barriers,” he said.

In terms of the movement of resources, Corey Werner, President of the Yorkton Chamber said this is an issue affecting the entire province.  “When Saskatchewan’s energy exports can be moved to tidewater in a timely and efficient manner, the provincial business community benefits,” he said. “And the removal of interprovincial barriers to trade will enhance business investment.”  

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is the “voice of business in Yorkton”. It’s a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, “the voice of business in Canada”. Membership in the Canadian Chamber allows the Yorkton Chamber access to the initiatives of the Chamber and the many affinity programs available to Chamber members only.

To learn more about the 2016 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness, consult the document at www.chamber.ca or www.yorktonchamber.com

To learn more about the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, visit www.yorktonchamber.com or call 306-783-4368.