– Deb McClelland is the executive director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached email at deb@kamloopschamber.ca.
KAMLOOPS – Last month our board and staff were pleased to announce that delegates at the annual BC Chamber of Commerce AGM voted to approve all six of the Kamloops Chamber’s proposed recommendations to government.
Topics of our recommendations included: Renovation Tax Credits – Improving B.C.’s Housing Stock; Fines and Penalty Reform for Business; Canada-Chine Trade Tariff Gap; First Nations Infrastructure Institution; Indigenous Land Title Initiative and Enhancing Access to the Registered Disability Savings Plan for Disabled Employees.
Background and full information for each of these recommendations can be found at the following link.
Our chamber is passionate about helping to create more business-friendly policies that will allow our members to find tremendous success in their particular industries. So much so, that we are constantly striving to change and improve our own processes
This past month, we made a substantial change by forming a new committee that invites our members to give their input on hot business issues in our local community.
Our new Member Advocacy Committee merges the work previously done by three former committees, continuing to represent the interests of our membership to government, but in a more strategic way.
As issues are identified, this committee will form working groups from within our membership, with the intent of researching and writing position papers that provide clear and concise solutions to the various issues being faced.
In their April meeting, the committee identified two issues as the first areas of focus and as of today, have already formed their working groups to address: succession planning/exit strategies for small business owners and municipal by-election or other options following the Provincial Election.
To learn more about this committee, find out how you can get involved, or to share a barrier to your business that you are facing, contact us today – want to hear from you. Your success is our success.
***
In other news, if you have reached out to our chamber within the past few months, you may have had the opportunity to interact with some new voices and faces.
Please join us in welcoming the two newest members to our chamber team in the past few months: Jeremy Heighton, our new Member Relations Coordinator, and Carly Bell, who has taken on the role of Administrative Assistant while Candace Mawdsley has headed off on a one-year maternity leave. Whomever you connect with, our staff is always happy to hear from you and to assist you in any way that we can.
***
In local member news, we are highlighting the Kamloops Habitat for Humanity ReStore who is excited to announce that they will be undergoing major renovations in the upcoming months.
The renovations will enable their store to bring in more profit, which will in turn, help build Habitat for Humanity homes in communities around the world, including the BC Interior that we are so fortunate to live in. If you are looking for a fantastic opportunity to get involved in your community and to give back, the Kamloops ReStore has what you are looking for.
Koin them in their mission to eliminate poverty in housing by volunteering at the ReStore during their renovations. Bring your whole office, or grab some friends and family for an incredible team-building and bonding experience. Contact Sabrina Leduc at volunteeradmin@kamloopshabitat.ca or 250.828.7567 for more information.