News
Cabinet ministers hear directly from Chamber
VERNON – Economic renewal and supporting the local community were high on the agenda as the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce went one-on-one with high-level provincial representatives. On Feb. 19, the Chamber hosted a town hall with Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation; Lana Popham, minister of agriculture; and Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee MLA “Advocating on behalf of our members is fundamental to our organization and we thank Minister Kahlon, Minister Popham and
Greater Vernon Chamber stands up for distilleries
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is urging the federal and provincial governments to do the right thing and rally behind distillers who have done their part in the fight against Covid-19. In letters to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier John Horgan, as well as their respective finance ministers, the Chamber calls for distilleries to be acknowledged for the enormous contribution they have made producing sanitizer.“Sanitizer was in significant demand, and, in most cases, distillers
Chamber congratulates Harwinder Sandhu
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is ready to work with Harwinder Sandhu on matters important to local businesses and non-profits as well as the community. Elections B.C. has confirmed that Sandhu won the riding of Vernon-Monashee after the mail-in ballots were counted for the Oct. 24 provincial elections. “We congratulate Ms. Sandhu on being elected as MLA for Vernon-Monashee and we look forward to establishing a positive and constructive relationship with her,” said Krystin Kempton,
Chamber responds to provincial election
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will advocate on behalf of its members and community as a new government is formed in Victoria.On Oct. 24, John Horgan and the B.C. NDP received a majority mandate from B.C. voters, although final election results won’t be known for two weeks as mail-in ballots are counted.“Congratulations to Mr. Horgan and the NDP, particularly as they made new in-roads on the electoral map,” said Krystin Kempton, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.“We are eager to work with
Chamber provides election resources
VERNON – With a provincial election just two weeks away, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure its members are ready to take part in the provincial election Oct. 24. A special section has been established on the Chamber's website that provides all of the details you need for the election - key dates, what identification you require and where polling stations will be found. There are also links to the political parties and media coverage. “The outcome of the election will determine the
Public invited to all-candidates forum
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is reminding residents that they have an opportunity to learn more about the candidates running in Vernon-Monashee. The Chamber will host an all-candidates forum via Zoom Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. and the event is sponsored by the B.C. Fruit Growers Association. “We are encouraging Chamber members and the community at large to become informed on where the candidates and parties stand, particularly on issues important to our region as we move towards
Greater Vernon Chamber hosts all candidates forum
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will ensure its members and residents can hear directly from those seeking to represent Vernon-Monashee in Victoria. The Chamber will host an all-candidates forum via Zoom Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. “The Chamber has a long history of hosting all-candidate forums and we believe it is particularly important for local voters to hear the vision of the candidates and the parties as our community, families and economy navigate the pandemic,” said Krystin Kempton,
Federal cabinet minister speaks to Greater Vernon Chamber
Feb. 20, 2020 – On March 2, North Okanagan business and community leaders have an opportunity to meet with a federal cabinet minister. The Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, will speak at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited that Minister Fortier has selected Vernon to kick off her B.C. tour and we would encourage our members to attend to ensure that Minister Fortier hears first-hand the issues
Greater Vernon Chamber responds to 2020 provincial budget
Feb. 18, 2020 – The 2020 provincial budget does little to ease the burden business faces or to promote competitiveness, says the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. On Feb. 18, Finance Minister Carole James tabled the government’s financial plan in the Legislature in Victoria. “There was absolutely nothing meaningful in the budget for entrepreneurs, and particularly for the small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of the North Okanagan’s economy,” said Dione Chamber, Greater Vernon
Greater Vernon Chamber responds to federal election
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will continue to speak on behalf of its members and the community as Canada adjusts to a new political landscape.On Oct. 21, the Conservatives held on to the riding of North Okanagan-Shuswap, while the Liberal Party formed a minority government nationally.“Our Chamber congratulates Mel Arnold on his re-election as our member of Parliament and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with him. We also want to thank the local candidates from the
Greater Vernon all-candidates forum Oct. 8
Greater Vernon residents are reminded that there is an opportunity to hear directly from the North Okanagan-Shuswap federal candidates.On Oct. 8, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society will host a federal all-candidates forum. The event is also sponsored by the B.C. Fruit Growers Association and Castanet.“We are encouraging the public to take part in the forum as this is a great chance to learn about the candidates, their parties and their platforms
Greater Vernon federal forum set for Oct. 8
VERNON – With the federal election just a month away, Greater Vernon residents and business owners will have an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and the party platforms.On Oct. 8, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society will host a federal all-candidates forum. The event is also sponsored by the B.C. Fruit Growers Association and Castanet.“We are excited to bring together residents and business leaders so they can hear directly from the
Cooperative approach needed to resolve forest crisis
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is calling for B.C.’s elected officials to set aside their differences and collectively find solutions that support the forest sector and communities.The Chamber has written to Premier John Horgan, official opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson and Green Party leader Andrew Weaver.“Mill operations are either being shut down or curtailed, impacting thousands of workers and their families as well as those associated with private contractors and suppliers. Given the
Greater Vernon Chamber advocates for members on provincial issues
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce ensured that its members and a strong economy were a priority during a meeting with high-level provincial officials.On July 23, representatives from 11 Thompson-Okanagan chambers of commerce participated in a regional consultation with senior provincial civil servants from 12 government ministries.“This was a tremendous opportunity to provide the Interior perspective on several critical matters that impact the ability to do business in our region, while we were also
Chamber resolution on distillery taxes endorsed provincially
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s campaign to have the distilled spirits sector treated progressively and fairly has been endorsed provincially.On May 25, delegates at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce conference in Burnaby approved a resolution from the Greater Vernon Chamber that calls on the federal government to reduce the excise tax on distilled spirits to $1.77 per litre on the first 150,000 litres of absolute alcohol, and to match the excise rate in the U.S. on an ongoing basis on an
North Okanagan chambers meet with tourism minister
NORTH OKANAGAN – An infusion of federal funding and a renewed national focus on tourism is welcome news to the Armstrong Spallumcheen and Greater Vernon chambers of commerce. On May 23, Tourism Minister Melanie Joly participated in a sold-out roundtable discussion hosted by the chambers at Fairways Bistro in Armstrong. “We thank Minister Joly for taking the time to stop in our region and it was exciting to learn more about the recently announced federal tourism strategy,” said Peter Rotzetter, Armstrong
North Okanagan chambers host tourism minister
VERNON – North Okanagan tourism operators, and particularly those in rural areas, will have an opportunity to discuss the future of the industry with federal Tourism Minister Mélanie Joly. On May 23, Joly will take part in a breakfast roundtable hosted by the Armstrong Spallumcheen and Greater Vernon chambers of commerce at Fairways Bistro in Armstrong. Joly will speak about the new federal tourism strategy and how it will create new opportunities and jobs for the middle class in the tourism sector across
Greater Vernon Chamber calls for ongoing milfoil control
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is concerned that federal and provincial policies regarding milfoil control will negatively impact our community and economy. The chamber recently wrote the federal and provincial governments and urged them to permit the control of invasive Eurasian milfoil as the control mechanism has occurred in Okanagan lakes since the 1970s. “Our chamber appreciates the need to protect aquatic species and specifically the Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (RMRM). However, we
Greater Vernon Chamber hosts local leaders
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is bringing together the region’s elected leaders to share their vision for the future. The Local Leaders Lunch, presented by BDO, takes place June 26 and it features Okanagan Indian Band Chief Byron Louis, Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming, Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick and Kevin Acton, Chair of the Regional District of North Okanagan.“We are extremely excited to have all four Greater Vernon jurisdictions represented and this will be a tremendous opportunity to
Chamber responds to IH pausing overdose prevention process
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Interior Health for pausing the request for proposal process on an overdose prevention site in the community. The chamber had recently requested that IH consult with businesses and commercial property owners regarding where an overdose prevention site is located, and that the chamber and representation from the business community participate in the evaluation of proposals. The chamber also urged IH to include the City of Vernon in the
Greater Vernon Chamber responds to overdose prevention site
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce fully supports the City of Vernon in its call for enhanced community engagement for a proposed overdose prevention site. Interior Health is issuing a request for proposals for a contractor to deliver overdose prevention services in Vernon, including a fixed overdose prevention site. “We appreciate that a public health emergency has been declared in B.C. and that Interior Health and other organizations are taking steps to save lives. However, we share the
Greater Vernon Chamber responds to federal budget
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce supports the federal budget’s focus on bolstering the economy and easing pressure on young families and seniors, but concerns exist about the country’s overall financial condition. Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s budget makes significant investments in the forestry, tourism and oil and gas sectors, while employees will be able to take paid leave for training at 55 per cent of weekly earnings. “These measures will go a long ways towards supporting
Greater Vernon Chamber meets with agriculture minister
VERNON – Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has heard firsthand how crucial agriculture is to the economy of the North Okanagan.Bibeau took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Tuesday that included food producers, processors and local government representatives.“I’m ready to jump in for the whole country,” said the Quebec MP who was appointed agriculture minister by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau March 1.“Agriculture is a strong industry and
Greater Vernon Chamber welcomes Folks on Spokes
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes a City of Vernon program that will target discarded needles. The city’s Folks on Spokes pilot program begins March 1 to provide the community with a hotline to report improperly discarded needles. Also, with the North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society weekly deep clean, teams of peers will be recruited to provide a daily clean-up of identified hot spots. “We thank the city for moving ahead with Folks on Spokes as the issue of discarded
Greater Vernon Chamber responds to provincial budget
VERNON – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the provincial budget’s focus on affordability for average British Columbians, but there’s a concern about the growing financial burden facing business. Small and medium-sized enterprises are facing $5 billion in cumulative cost increases over the next three years.“The layers of tax eat into the bottom line and increasingly make it challenging for businesses in the North Okanagan and across the province to be competitive,” said Dione Chambers,
Chamber calls for action on downtown safety
NOVEMBER 23, 2018 – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is calling for increased dialogue to address street-level concerns in the downtown core. On Nov. 20, chamber representatives attended a meeting organized by business owners contending with drug use, litter, loitering, vandalism, property crime, aggressive behaviour and concerns about customer safety. Also at the meeting were Interior Health, BC Housing and the Turning Points Collaborative Society, which operates homeless shelters and low-income
Small business focus of minister's visit
NOVEMBER 17, 2018 – The federal government has been provided with the North Okanagan perspective on small business.On Nov. 17, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce hosted Mary Ng, minister of small business and export promotion, at Okanagan College.“I am here to listen,” said Ng, who is Member of Parliament for Markham-Thornhill, Ont.Among the issues raised by members of the chamber and residents were succession planning for small business operators, provincial trade barriers, the need for more women
Greater Vernon Chamber hosts small business minister
NOVEMBER 6, 2018 - Small business opportunities and challenges will be on the agenda as the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce hosts a federal cabinet minster.Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, will speak at a breakfast event at 9 a.m. Saturday Nov. 17 at Kal View room Okanagan College.“We are thrilled that the Honourable Minister will take time out of her busy schedule to meet with local business leaders,” said Diana Wilson, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce president.“We will be
Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
May 10, 20185 Minutes for Business, Canadian Chamber of CommerceSteel and Aluminum Tariffs Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps within a rolled steel coil), you have no doubt seen all the news these days about the looming threat of steel and aluminum tariffs being imposed by the United States. Last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an investigation into whether steel and aluminum imports were impairing America’s national security. These investigations occurred under Section 232
