COVID hit the business community in New Westminster hard. Consequently the Chamber of Commerce took a big hit, losing many members. Re-building it is a top priority, according to the new Chair of the Chamber, Karima Jivraj.

She says it's a tough road back but she is determined to take on the challenge. The Chamber has made good progress, she says, but it needs new members, a lot more members, to really thrive and do the many important jobs at hand.

In this interview with NewWest TV, she stresses the importance of the Chamber's role in advocating for business owners in the city – at all levels of govenment. It's a lot easier to advocate if you are speaking for a lot of businesses, she says.

She also speaks to the issues affecting businesses in New Westminster and in cities everywhere, namely, the problems created by the 'street-involved' people dealing with homelessness, addictions and mental health issues. She said that it's not just an issue confined to one area of the city.  She speaks highly of the Crisis Response Pilot Project set up by the city. They are quick to send their people to help find resources for any person in trouble and emergency services will also arrive quickly if required.

She spells out some of Chamber's many other plans for the business community, for example, putting on events, educational workshops, promoting local shopping and a whole lot more.  She laid out some of the upcoming plans for breakfast sessions at the Inn on the Quay, for example. 

The Chamber of Commerce has added enough members in the last year to make them financially viable, but so much can be gained by businesses working together to get things done. Kamira has lots to say about the many ways that business owners can benefit.