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Funding sought for Economic Gardening

This year marked the 60th year anniversary for the B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.

This year marked the 60th year anniversary for the B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.

This year Penticton was host to over 241 delegates over a three-day period.

One of the main highlights of the AGM included the most organized policy resolutions review to date with more than 41 new resolutions to be presented to the provincial government.

Petra Veintimilla, president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, presented a policy recommendation regarding Community Futures – Economic Gardening Program for more than $2 million in funding.

This policy was accepted during the session with excellent support from other communities.

“This funding will help ensure businesses in other areas of the province will have the opportunity to grow and prosper,” Veintimilla said.

Other policies included the continued advocacy for removing interprovincial trade barriers for shipping Canadian wines which is expected to get some positive results in the near future when reviewed by the province.

Premier Christy Clark announced the Micro Business Training Pilot Program.

“This program leverages the unique ability of the Chamber of Commerce Network to deliver skills training to micro business owners in the sectors which need it most,” said John Winter, president and CEO of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

In order for the Canadian economy to stay on top there is always work to do.

The top 10 barriers to competitiveness in B.C. were summarized by Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Robert Fine, director of Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission. Barriers include skilled labour shortages, lack of production, out of date technology, and over regulation by government. These barriers are available for review at chambertop10.ca/10-barriers.