Kamloops set to host B.C. Chamber of Commerce AGM

May 23, 2018 | 12:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — Approximately 250 delegates from across the province are getting set to descend on Kamloops for the annual B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.

It kicks off Thursday at the Coast Hotel and runs through Saturday.

Joshua Knaak, president of the board of directors with the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, says one of the highlights will be a panel discussion on electoral reform set for Friday morning.

“It will consist of four different individuals coming at it from differing viewpoints,” he says. “We have somebody who is typically aligned with the federal Conservatives who is pro-proportional representation and we have someone who is historically aligned with the NDP who is against.”

Knaak says another important discussion will focus on the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

“We know the NDP government is making some changes. There’s differing needs across the province on ALR,” he says.

“The Lower Mainland is looking to protect it because development has gone right into it, whereas you have other municipalities like Kamloops that are quickly becoming locked in with very little opportunity for further development.”

In all, Knaak says there will be close to 60 policy recommendations introduced.

He says two provincial leaders have confirmed their attendance — Andrew Weaver of the BC Green Party and Andrew Wilkinson of the BC Liberals.