FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 18, 2026

Langley, BC – The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is applauding the Province’s decision to pause the planned October 1 expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax to professional services, a move that will prevent a new cost from being added to businesses already facing significant economic pressure, trade uncertainty and rising operating expenses.

The proposed expansion would have applied PST to a range of professional services used every day by businesses, including accounting and bookkeeping, architecture, engineering and geoscience, non-residential real estate services, and security and private investigation services. The Chamber has advocated strongly since Budget 2026 that taxing these services would increase the cost of doing business and create additional costs that would ultimately flow through to customers, projects and the broader economy.
 
“This is the right decision for BC businesses at a time when costs and economic uncertainty are already significant,” said Cory Redekop, CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has been consistently raising concerns that expanding PST to professional services would increase the cost of doing business and add pressure on prices throughout the economy.”

The Province estimates the pause will result in approximately $260 million in savings for businesses, local governments and individuals in 2026-27.
 
“We appreciate government listening to the concerns raised by the business community and recognizing that this is not the time to introduce a new cost on businesses,” said Redekop. “This pause provides welcome breathing room, and we continue to believe the expansion should ultimately be reconsidered altogether.”
 
The Chamber is also welcoming new provincial funding announced to help businesses respond to trade pressures, including additional support for programs like the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund and BuyBC.

“Additional support to help businesses invest, improve productivity and find new markets is also welcome,” said Redekop. “But the most immediate positive news for businesses today is that this planned PST expansion will not proceed on October 1.”

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Contact:
Cory Redekop
CEO
Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce
cory@langleychamber.com / 604 318 0420

About the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is one of BC’s and Canada’s fastest-growing chambers of commerce, representing over 1,250 member businesses, non-profits, and organizations across Langley City, the Township of Langley, and the surrounding region. The Chamber works to connect business and community leaders, support economic growth, and advocate for a competitive, thriving business environment. Learn more at LangleyChamber.com