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Your Chamber in Action - Shaping the Public Policy Agenda
BC Chamber of Commerce AGM: Whistler May 23-26, 2008
Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce President Don McCormick, Chamber Manager Sioban Staplin, Chamber Director Jason Andrews and Chamber member Bev McCormick attended the BC Chamber policy and resolution sessions at the AGM as representatives for the members of the Chamber. Members of the Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce are also members of the BC Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber network works for our local businesses and all businesses in BC.
2007-2008 has been another highly successful year for the Chamber movement in shaping the public policy agenda in BC and in Canada. There are several areas, with specific policy statements, where the Chamber has been successful in having government address the concerns of members. The five priority areas are:
- Skills and Labour
- Transportation
- A Vibrant Resource Sector
- Competitive Taxation and Regulation
- Crime and Public Safety
2008 Policy Resolutions at the BC Chamber AGM - MADE IN THE KOOTENAYS
Two important "Made in the Kootenays" policy statements/resolutions were passed at this year's AGM. Both of these position statements were submitted by the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce.
FACILITATING THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS AND PEOPLE BETWEEN BC AND ALBERTA
The Chamber Recommends: That the provincial government examine the benefits and costs of making major improvements to Highway 3 in areas of need from the Alberta border to Hope BC. To facilitate the growth occurring in this expanding economic region as well as to improve the safety of travelling this highway.
BRITISH COLUMBIA: A CARBON RICH PROVINCE
The Chamber Recommends: That the Provincial Government;
- Undertake initiatives to encourage scientific discovery of technologies that allow BC's vast carbon based energy resources, in particular coal and coal bed methane, to be used in an environmentally responsible manner.
- Invest funding to develop a carbon-neutral fossil fuel research and development stream that will deliver technology that can be deployed on a domestic and international basis.
As well, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce submitted a resolution, that affects the East Kootenays, regarding access to international airports. The resolution passed at the AGM and will be directed to both the Provincial and Federal Governments.
DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH BY IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Chamber recommends: that the provincial government work together with the federal government to:
- Allocate funds to develop a national strategic infrastructure plan that addresses safe, efficient and sustainable transportation requirements for passengers, cargo, goods and services moving to and from BC's international airports;
- Provide funding for infrastructure needs to municipalities with international airports that are expecting and projecting a significant increase in visitors, emigrants and immigrants and where as a result, the municipalities are growing rapidly;
- Provide funding for infrastructure needs to municipalities with international airports that are experiencing a significant increase in the movement of cargo, goods and services as a result of rapid growth to their municipalities;
- Facilitate municipalities with international airports that are experiencing and projecting significant growth in accessing infrastructure funding by working together with municipalities and international airports to identify their unique needs and to include those needs in effective strategic plans for their areas.
KIMBERLEY & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOLUTION
Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce plans to submit a policy resolution at the 2009 BC Chamber AGM in Prince Rupert. This resolution will address the need for policy concerning Forest Interface Management in Resort Municipalities. Chamber members are encouraged to participate in the policy and resolution process by submitting issues and initiatives that can potentially become statements of policy to Kimberley Chamber President Don McCormick at president@kimberleychamber.com . | 
