– Jeffrey Robinson is the Vice President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. To find out more information about the organization please visit www.kelownachamber.org.
KELOWNA – Every year, when spring rolls around, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee, as in so many other Chambers, begins to really focus in on our policies for spring presentation to BC Chamber colleagues.
Policies are at the heart of everything the Chamber does in our community. We are advocates for change from local businesses, through our local elected officials, right the way up to the provincial government, and also, on a separate stream, to federal government levels.
Policies we have supported in the past have gradually worked their way through the system; not all survive to become broadly accepted. A short list of those that have or remain tabled include the ever-broadening range of containment practices for invasive mussel species into BC waterways “Don’t Move a Mussel”; the extension of favourable tax rates for credit unions; rollback of credit card rates; and numerous initiatives around affordable housing.
The BC Chamber’s grassroots policy-development process is second-to-none in British Columbia. Every year, BC Chamber member businesses, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade develop policies that reflect the on-the-ground needs of BC businesses.
Through this process, the provincial membership endorses approximately 40 new policies every year at its Annual General Meeting. The breadth and diversity of BC Chamber policies reflects its broad-based membership; during any given year, there are policy recommendations for the majority, if not all, of BC’s provincial government ministries.
This year, the provincial AGM is being hosted by the Victoria Chamber at the end of May. The Kelowna Chamber is bringing forward four policies, which include:
- Rent Control: Phasing Out Provincial Control of Rent Increases. We are seeking to have the provincial government allow municipalities to opt out of the province-wide controls on rent increases. This will enable progressive local governments to exercise more control over incentives for creating rental housing stock.
- Moving forward with the Strong Business Case for a South Okanagan Similkameen National Park. We are asking the provincial government to continue taking steps toward establishing a national park in the South Okanagan.
- Providing Certainty for Business Through the Timely Administration of Justice. We are asking the government to sustainably fund our justice system so that courts provide reliable and efficient justice for business.
- Competitive Tax Environment for Credit Unions. We are asking that our provincial government continue to shield credit unions from the harmful effect of a federal tax change that treats local community credit unions the same as the big banks. Currently, the BC Budget 2017 only grants a one-year relief from this onerous taxation rate, which could be re-instated in 2018.
We will also be supporting several other policies put forward by other chambers, but the policies above are our own.
One policy (being tabled by the Victoria Chamber) is of vital importance to us: Safe Communities and Strong Economies: Mental Health and Addictions in BC. Mental illness and addiction affect one in five people across Canada, significantly affecting business and the economy.
Further, untreated or under-treated mental illnesses and addictions are pervasive within the homeless population, affecting public safety and local business. The Chamber recommends local health authorities get the tools to build local, on-the-ground integrated teams focused on prevention.
The Foundry, which will open in Kelowna in the fall of 2017, will be a great example of getting out in front of this ongoing issue.
When and if our 2017 policies are voted into force at the BC Chamber’s annual AGM, they then carry the backing of the BC Chamber’s more than 30,000 represented businesses. These businesses span sole proprietorships and micro-businesses to BC’s largest corporate players. The provincial Chamber network captures the views of every region and sector in the province.
The BC Chamber’s rigorous policy-building process, coupled with its strategic advocacy efforts, has driven an outstanding track record of policy results. And, the BC Chamber works closely with its partner the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that made-in-BC policies have national impact.
Each fall, we participate in the Canadian Chamber’s policy process and bring Kelowna’s and BC’s needs and innovative solutions before Chamber peers from across the country.
Why does our volunteer board, and volunteer Policy Committee devote so much time to these issues? The Chamber is the voice of business for the Kelowna region, and the BC Chamber wants to know “what’s on BC’s mind”, responding to many of the current issues that affect business vitality.
Our role includes proactively working with and lobbying government to constructively influence public policy on a variety of issues in support of a healthy free-enterprise system.
Part of this process is actively engaging with media. The Chamber works closely with local journalists to educate, inform and communicate with the general public on a broad range of issues that have impact on our membership and community.
Healthy and vibrant businesses are part of the fabric of any well-functioning community. In regular meetings with MLAs, MPs and Municipal Government, the Chamber strives to provide a strong and constructive influence on public policy on an array of issues.
Some of the policies which originated with the Kelowna Chamber include:
- 2012 Improving Consumer Choice: Removing Inter-Provincial Trade Barriers to Sales of 100% Canadian Wine (Initiated by the Kelowna Chamber in 2008). Resulted in the passing of Bill C-311 “Free My Grapes”;
- 2012 Organized Crime Task Force Funding (Initiated by the Kelowna Chamber in 2008); and
- 2014 Protection of BC Waters from Invasive Mussel Species. Resulted in Canada-wide regulations and inspection practices.
I’m fully dedicated to helping shape policy at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and make a difference by moving change forward through the channels at hand. I’m looking forward to the Victoria AGM 2017.