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 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
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
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
