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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGM

Kamloops Chamber of Commerce succeeds in policy initiatives at BC Chamber AGM

May 26, 2019 | 3:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — The BC Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its three-day annual general meeting over the weekend with a number of policies passed.

Kamloops Chamber Executive Director Acacia Pangilinan says across the board, Chambers all had presented ideas rooted in community needs.

“It was awesome to be around all of our peers across the province who are passionate about their communities. And to see them bring issues forward that really impact their businesses and their community,” She says, “It really lit a fire inside of me to want to keep doing more.”

More policies were passed at this conference than any other year, and Pangilinan says that could be due to a lot of Chambers building their policy processes.

“We had some Chambers who had never presented before who brought policies forward. For some, it was their very first time coming to that conference,” Pangilinan explains, “I think that had a bit to do with it, that we’re starting to see more show up.”

As far as what the Kamloops Chamber wanted to bring up, Pangilinan says there were a number of policies that expired, which they wanted to make sure were still on the books.

“That included the mandatory entry-level truck driver training, electronic logging books for the truck drivers, and stopping the time change. Those all passed which was wonderful.”

Pangilinan says the new policy on the Belt and Road Initiative also passed on the floor at the conference.

“That one is really important for us because we feel that the Canadian government needs to be having conversations about the Belt and Road initiative, the potential impacts, and the opportunities that it poses for Canada,” She explains, “So we were really thrilled to see that one move forward, and it will now be brought forward to the federal government in September.”