Across British Columbia, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade are at the heart of their communities – bringing businesses, leaders, and policymakers together to learn, connect, and move forward. The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) is proud to support these efforts by sponsoring events that spark meaningful conversations about the future of transportation and the evolving auto industry.
For the last several months, I’ve seen firsthand the value of these discussions, with our team taking part in events throughout BC – and most recently, at the Surrey White Rock Board of Trade and the Trail Chamber of Commerce. Next week, we’ll continue that work in partnership with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, hosting ICBC CEO Jason McDaniel at the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel.
These conversations matter. By bringing them to communities across the province, we help ensure that businesses and residents alike have access to the latest insights shaping the automotive sector. The NCDA represents more than 400 BC dealers that contribute more than $17 billion in economic activity, cementing the auto industry as a cornerstone of the provincial economy.
From affordability to supply chains to the transition to new vehicle technologies, the decisions made today will shape how British Columbians travel tomorrow. That’s why it’s so important that these conversations are happening – and that they’re accessible across the province – because transportation affects every British Columbian, every business, and every community.
Throughout the many discussions held this year, road safety, affordability, and workforce gaps consistently emerged as top concerns. These are issues that new car dealers across British Columbia hear about regularly.
We are living in a time of economic uncertainty, with tariffs and other pressures driving up costs for families. In the auto sector, affordability remains a key challenge: any new vehicle priced above $55,000 is subject to British Columbia’s outdated “so-called” vehicle Luxury Tax. However, in 2026, this threshold no longer reflects reality – when the average cost of a new vehicle exceeds $66,000, most new car buyers are effectively caught by a tax that was intended for luxury purchases.
This challenge is further compounded by the expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST), as additional costs incurred by dealers, such as those for repairs, renovations, and upgrades to their dealership, are inevitably passed on to consumers. One of the most troubling aspects of the planned expansion of the PST is its application to security services. Across BC, businesses are being forced to spend thousands of dollars on security, monitoring systems, and additional safety measures simply to protect their employees, customers, and storefronts from rising crime and disorder – and now government is proposing what is effectively a tax on safety.
With the evolving nature of the auto sector, a lot of these conversations get into the topic of recruitment and training. ICBC recently contributed $13.3 million over four years in apprenticeship grants in the collision repair workforce, which is a move to help reduce wait times for drivers after a crash and allow them to get back on the road sooner with safe, high-quality repairs. Road safety and investing in our future workforce go together, and both are concerns continuously raised by the public.
As these conversations continue across British Columbia, the role of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade remains essential. They provide a trusted forum to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to share perspectives, identify challenges, and inform practical solutions. For the NCDA, these discussions are not just about dialogue—they help shape our advocacy, guide our priorities, and ensure that the voice of BC’s new car dealers is grounded in the realities facing the people we serve. By working collaboratively and building on the insights gained through these engagements, we can take meaningful next steps toward a more affordable, safe, and sustainable transportation future for all British Columbians.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. He can be reached at [email protected]
