Ongoing Efforts & Press Releases
Ongoing Efforts & Press Releases
2022
- Proposed 15 Day Employer – Paid Sick Leave
- Policy Statement: Housing Development – November 7, 2022
- Escalating WorkSafe BC Costs – November 3, 2022
- September 19th Holiday – September 15, 2022
- BC Chamber Statement on BCGEU – August 24, 2022
- Prolific Offenders Press Release 2022 07 11
- Valley Chambers Collaborate & Release Videos – June 9 2022
- 2022 NEW BOD Announced – March 17, 2022
- Lifting of Mandates and Transparency – March 8, 2022
- Chamber response Health Minister Announcement – Jan 18 2022
History of Success
Advocating policy solutions for our members is a never-ending pursuit. We are currently working on many initiatives at all levels of government, but below are a few examples of municipal, provincial, and federal policy wins from the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.
Past Success
Advocacy Success: Removing the Interprovincial Barriers to the Sale of Wine Across Canada
Through policy resolutions to the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce as well as direct lobbying of Members of Parliament locally and across Canada, The Penticton Chamber was successful in building a groundswell of support for our specific recommendations related to changes in federal laws which have restricted the interprovincial sale of wine. In 2012, the Federal government passed legislation on this issue removing said barriers, though work is not yet done as we continue to lobby individual provinces to open up their liquor distribution boards to allow BC wine to be sold in their jurisdictions.
Advocacy Success: Highway 97 Expansion
As a key participant on the Okanagan Transportation Panel, The Chamber successfully lobbied the Provincial government to complete major capital works projects along highway 97 with the specific aim of increasing the flow of goods and travelers from the US border at Osoyoos through to the Shuswap. The movement of goods along this route significantly improves the economy, bringing millions of dollars to Penticton.
Advocacy Success: Municipal Economic Incentive Zones
The Chamber was successful in lobbying the municipal government to create a bylaw which would offer incentives for new development and redevelopment in targeted areas of the city including the elimination of Building Permit Fees and property taxes for up to 5 years as well as reduced Development Cost Charges for qualified projects. This has led to the development of highly successful ‘Economic Incentive Zones’ stimulating economic growth throughout Penticton.