Chamber Policies Get Provincial Support

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce was three for three in gaining support for its policy resolutions at the BC Chamber AGM in Victoria.

All three policies received near unanimous approval from the delegates from around the province who attended the annual meeting of business leaders.

Photo: Dauna Kennedy Grant, Greater Vernon Chamber president

The local chamber received endorsement for its policy which calls on the province to increase its investment in the Public Arts & Cultural Sector. The chamber also received support for its policy that seeks to level the playing field for private liquor outlets that wish to distribute liquor on a wholesale basis and deal directly with liquor producers.

The third policy resolution that was passed seeks to bring the province, local governments and the development sector together to explore ways to optimise the timing for payment of Development Cost Charges such that they are paid closer to when sales related to a development actually occurs.

“It is thought that if small developers can reduce the costs of financing those charges that those savings could be passed on to consumers,” says Chamber GM Dan Rogers. “This, in a small way, could make housing more affordable while helping small developers grow their business which in turn would have a positive impact on the local economy.”

“We are pleased that all three of our policies were endorsed and will now become part of the provincial advocacy agenda for the BC Chamber,” says Dauna Kennedy, Chamber President. “We were also pleased to have direct representation at the Annual General Meeting with vice-president, Markus Schrott attending the event along with chamber general manager Dan Rogers. “

There were more than 60 policies debated at the Annual General Meeting which also saw the launch of the BC Chamber’s new brand.

The 2018 BC Chamber AGM will be held in Kamloops.

“It is important that we attend the provincial conference to ensure the views of our members and the business community in the North Okanagan are represented,” says Markus Schrott.

“The Arts and Cultural Policy is one that we pushed for a number of years ago but brought back this year for renewal as we believe the Province can and should be doing more to foster economic growth through the development of the Public Arts & Cultural Sector,” added Kennedy Grant.

The policy calls on the province to increase operational funding to bring B.C. up in provincial rankings. Current statistics suggest B.C. is 6th among the provinces for per capita funding.