The Kelowna Chamber travelled to Toronto to participate in the annual Canadian Chamber policy conference in Mississauga, and to present two of its home-grown policies to over 300 delegates representing more than 100 Chambers from across the country. Both passed; both were generated at the local level with ideas and input from Chamber members; both have the potential to have a positive impact on GDP and future economic success both in Kelowna and across the country. They will next be taken formally to Parliament Hill for federal leaders to hear directly from business leaders.
“Address Food Sovereignty in Canada through Support of Young Farmers” began with input from the Okanagan agricultural community. In a period of geopolitical instability, access to land by young farmers is one issue which is fully under the control of Canadian – provincial and local – regulators. The policy promotes programs encouraging use by young farmers of under-utilized agricultural land to encourage mentorship and renewal. The policy builds on the nascent Young Agrarian movement which seeks to reverse some of the effects of farmers aging out, the growth of super farms, and addressing the high cost of entry for young would-be farmers. The policy which focuses primarily on better use of existing financial resources and agricultural reserves, passed with more than 99% of the voters in favour.
“It was a an honour to present this forward-thinking policy,” said Derek Gratz, Chamber President, who travelled to Mississauga in order to present the Chamber’s two policies. “As long-standing Chair of the Chamber’s policy committee (now Past Chair since becoming President) I have seen first-hand the good work that this chamber does: listening to our members’ concerns; turning those concerns into actionable policy; and being an active, transformative member of our community. It was a gratifying moment to represent all of that effort and community support through to successful adoption as a national policy.”
“Growing Canada’s Aerospace Sector Through Strategic Investment, Regional Expansion, and Defence Procurement” was the second policy, presented on day two of the conference by Chamber CEO George Greenwood. “The bones of this policy have been kicking around for a couple of years,” said Greenwood; “Kelowna has so many of the raw tools to become an aerospace hub for Canada with manufacturing, an international airport, pilot training – and now, a member of Parliament who is focused on defense procurement. It felt like the right policy at the right time.”
The aerospace policy will become an important tool for the Canadian Chamber for advocacy with the appropriate ministry. Job growth and industry stability are two predicted outcomes of regional aerospace expansion.
Gratz concluded, “We were pleased that our two collegial chambers in the Okanagan Business Advisory Council: the Greater Westside Board of Trade and the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, both supported these two successful policies.”
Final policies will be uploaded to the Kelowna Chamber and the Canadian Chamber webpages over the next several weeks in English and in French.