The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce has received overwhelming support for its policies on wildfire interface, species at risk and remediation from the membership of the BC Chamber during the annual convention held this past weekend in Burnaby.

Chamber President Jason Fast and Chamber Vice President and Government Affairs Committee Chair Christine Hoechsmann, joined chamber Executive Director Kristin Parsons for the three-day conference, to present their new policies and vote on behalf of the membership on another 70 policies, brought forward by the chamber network.

“We are very pleased with the passing of our three policies at the BC Chamber AGM and wish to thank the chambers across the province for their overwhelming support. As we are on the doorstep of wildfire season, chambers recognized the urgency of our policy on Wildfire Interface and Prevention,” said Hoechsmann. “The Species at Risk policy recommendations were favoured as we work towards consultation and fair assessment of impact to regions while protecting endangered species. Our recommendations for standardized federal remediation standards, in partnership with the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce was received favourably and unanimously supported.”

Policies on pressing issues such as housing, labor shortages and infrastructure were debated and passed, resulting in viable solutions to be presented to governments. The BC Chamber will be working with governments at the provincial and federal level to support businesses with these policies and the very real challenges we all face.

“I am honoured to have been a part of the process to represent the businesses in Cranbrook and feel confident we will make positive headway on all issues presented. Hours upon hours of work go into the development of policies and solutions.

“We are very thankful for the research and collaboration Kristin Parsons and the team at the Cranbrook Chamber has dedicated to campaign on behalf of our businesses,” added Hoechsmann.

Now that the event has completed, the BC Chamber will be working to gather all the policies that passed at the event and add them to the official BC Chamber policy manual.

Once gathered, this document will be sent out to the provincial government to address each policy individually. New this year, the provincial government has asked the BC Chamber to work with them to create opportunities to have our members meet directly with provincial representatives in a series of eight regional meetings to talk directly to the policies that affect each region.

The Cranbrook Chamber is set to host one of these regional meetings in early September. More details will be released shortly.

The Government Affairs Committee of the Cranbrook Chamber will now be looking at potential federal policies to bring forward to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in September.

For more information about the Cranbrook Chamber policy process contact [email protected].

Lead image: Chamber President Jason Fast and Chamber Vice President and Government Affairs Committee Chair Christine Hoechsmann participate in a vote at the AGM. Photos submitted

Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

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