COMOX VALLEY – As the country’s largest business networking and advocacy organization, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is revving up for a busy season with federal elections right around the corner.
We are in the midst of a major shift in our country and many factors are contributing to the uncertainty of the economic landscape and future of our citizens. Over the course of the next several months, representatives from different chambers will begin meeting with political candidates from different ridings across the country. As a chamber representative for the Comox Valley, I will be begin my advocacy work on behalf of business for the best interest of our community to local political hopefuls.
As we do our part, so should you. This fall we will be encouraging all citizens to vote. While chambers are non-partisan and do not endorse candidates, voting is your right and responsibility as citizens of this nation.
As part of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce’s initiative to support elections, it will be hosting, along with The Comox Valley Record the Courtenay-Alberni Riding All-Candidates Meeting on Monday, October 5th.
Members of the public are welcome to attend this community event, held at the Sid Williams Theatre on October 5th from 6-8pm, and hear from the candidates for the next Federal General Election, which will be held on October 19th, 2015. The Chamber is strictly non-partisan and receives no funding from any level of government.
I encourage members of our community to ask questions and take time to consider who you will be supporting this fall. Big changes are on the horizon and it is important to have a platform for citizens to ask the challenging questions of their electoral candidates. The chambers are here to support you and your position during election season. As Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce puts it, “we are all here for the same end result – we want our communities to be vibrant and we want our citizens to succeed.”
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A warm welcome goes to our new members joining the chamber family as of June 1st. CanWest Mechanical Inc., Del Rio Academy of Hair and Esthetics Ltd., ILS Learning Corporation, Morgan Ebbett Career Services, Precision Tree Services Ltd., Spice Hut Restaurant, Stone-Olafson, Toneff Funeral Services and Walker24 Menswear. We look forward to supporting you and the future of your businesses.
– Dianne Hawkins is president and CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at dhawkins@comoxvalleychamber.com.
