The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce was well represented at the recent Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.

President-Elect, Jason Cox and Manager, Lorraine Renyard both sat in the all day Policy Debate session along with several other representatives of BC Chambers.

One specific proposed resolution that was up for debate is important to the Okanagan's growing wine industry. It is a discussion paper with recommendations to the Federal Government about removing the inter-Provincial trade barriers to the sales of 100% Canadian Wine.

Every year there are proposed resolutions that create heated debate ranging from the issue of the GST and how it should be applied or Fiscal Policy on managing the Government's debt reduction. Our transportation infrastructure, whether by air or road, always comes up as an issue for debate. Whatever the issue the discussions presented are always lively, and many times offering up opinions that may have been missed initially.

At the end of the yearly policy debate session we have created a book of policies for the Canadian Chamber Board of Directors and staff to take to every meeting with Government officials to lobby on our behalf for change.

It is the power of our collective membership in the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce that we can lobby Government and successfully affect change.

Debbie Belanger has just joined our Ambassador Team. She is very much looking forward to greeting you and getting to know more about you at our upcoming fall and winter events!

Debbie is proud to have lived and worked in Penticton for 31 years following graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education. She is married and is happy to have her adult daughter living close by in Penticton.

Debbie is currently the Administrator at Sun Village Retirement Residence at 1147 Main Street in Penticton where she has worked for almost 3 years.  Sun Village provides supportive living services to independent seniors.  They provide 3 meals per day, weekly light housekeeping, weekly laundering of flat linens and towels, some recreational activities and a 24 hour emergency call system.  There are 95 suites for rent and a beautiful courtyard between the two buildings.  They have a caring staff which provides excellent service to the tenants.  All utilities are included in the rent, as well as Shaw Cable.  Tenants are responsible for their own phone.

In her spare time Debbie enjoys socializing with family and friends, walking, camping, hiking, weight training and boating. She loves reading and cats.  Debbie enjoys the odd golf game with good friends.

Debbie has volunteered her time to organizations such as Squash B.C., Toastmasters, City of Penticton, Fest of Ale, IronMan Canada and Princess Margaret Dry Grad.

Debie is definitely an asset to our Ambassador team!