Chamber Blog Posts
Emergency Preparedness Week: May 5 - 11
May 2, 2024Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. Emergency Preparedness Week runs from May 5 to 11 and is a national event supported by Public Safety Canada. An annual event for over 25 years, it traditionally takes place during the first full week of...
Read MoreCity of Kelowna 2024 Civic & Community Awards
Apr 25, 2024The winners of the 49th annual Civic and Community Awards were announced last evening at the awards ceremony held at the Laurel Packinghouse. Congratulations to all finalists and recipients of the Civic & Community Awards who helped shine a posit...
Read MoreReports: Central Okanagan Economic Profile & Q4 2023 Economic and Job Market Indicators
Apr 24, 2024The Regional District of Central Okanagan’s Economic Development Commission (COEDC) released the New Central Okanagan Economic Profile and the Q4 2023 Economic and Job Market Indicators. These resources provide data designed to assist loc...
Read More2024 Federal Budget: Canadian Chamber Policy Experts
Apr 18, 2024On April 16, 2024, the Government of Canada released its 2024 Federal Budget. Policy experts from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce have reviewed the budget in detail, and we're sharing their perspectives. "Today&...
Read MoreCanadian Chamber: Statement on Budget 2024
Apr 17, 2024The Canadian Chamber of Commerce calls for the next Federal budget to work with business to spur economic growth, creating jobs and a better life for all Canadians. Early in the second quarter of 2024, Canada’s economic climate remains bleak...
Read MoreGuest Essay: A Trip to Kelowna
Apr 9, 2024by Chinese Ambassador Cong Peiwu I had heard about Kelowna, a city renowned for wine, fruits and a leisurely lifestyle long ago, but it was only recently that I had the opportunity to visit the city. I met with the Chinese students at the Universi...
Read More2024 Presidents Dinner & Silent Auction: Apr 25
Apr 9, 2024An evening of appreciation and recognition. As a not-for-profit organization, a large part of our success is attributed to those willing to put their time and energy into the community we serve. We're able to do the work that we do because of ...
Read MoreReport: Businesses Proceeding With Caution, Economic Confidence Edges Up
Apr 4, 2024Canadian businesses are stuck in a cautious near-term holding pattern according to the Canadian Chamber's new Business Expectations Index (BEI). Last week, their Business Data Lab released its Q1 2024 Canadian Survey on Business Con...
Read MoreReport: Grant Thornton 2024 Real Estate Market Summary
Mar 22, 2024Seeking optimism in uncertainty Grant Thornton’s newly released 2024 Real Estate Outlook Report is now available, with a focus on current trends impacting the Canadian real estate industry. The Canadian real estate industry is...
Read MoreOn The Life & Legacy of Marion Bremner
Mar 20, 2024My hope for the future is that the younger generation will take up from where we've left off, that they will take their skills, their technology, their learning, and make the world an even better place. ~ Marion Bremner All of us at the K...
Read MoreCall for Programming Input: Okanagan College Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism
Mar 14, 2024Seeking Programming Input Okanagan College's new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research facilities, the Okanagan Chef School, a professional training restaurant, and a 3,100 square f...
Read MoreProvince Promises BC Orchards & Vineyards $70M Funding for Replanting
Mar 14, 2024Enhanced program to support BC growers with climate change resilience More B.C. farmers producing grapes, cherries, tree fruit and berries will receive support to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient to climate c...
Read MoreWomen in Business 2024: Pathways to Parity
Mar 12, 2024While the number of women in senior leadership roles is rising globally—it’s concerningly slow. Progress on the percentage of women in senior management roles held in the mid-market is slow. Without determination to make the changes ne...
Read MoreBarely Breaking Ground: women in business
Mar 6, 2024The Slow Stride of Progress for Women in Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a new report Tuesday showing that while Canada has made some positive strides in advancing equality for women in business, ...
Read MoreAmbassador to Canada from the People's Republic of China
Mar 5, 2024The Ambassador to Canada from the People’s Republic of China made a brief visit to Kelowna from Ottawa last Monday and Tuesday, visiting students from China at both Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan. Cong Peiwu and his staff hosted a local g...
Read MoreUpdates to Securing Small Businesses Rebate Program
Mar 5, 2024The Province is making changes to offer a smoother and faster application process to help businesses access funding to offset the costs to repair and prevent vandalism to businesses, in consultation with the BC Chamber of Commerce. &ldqu...
Read MoreOP-ED: Recognizing Immigrants' Credentials (from Vancouver Sun)
Feb 26, 2024The following in an excerpt from an opinion piece published in the Vancouver Sun, Feb 21 2024. B.C.’s International Credentials Recognition Act removes barriers to skilled immigrants in 29 regulated professions. We can, and should, build on ...
Read MoreBC Minimum Wage Increases June 1 2024
Feb 26, 2024B.C.’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise when the general minimum wage increases from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour on June 1, 2024. This represents a 3.9% increase, consistent with B.C.’s average rate of inflation in 2023. T...
Read MoreBC Government Continues Support for Fairs, Festivals, Events
Feb 14, 2024Province of BC providing $15 million in one-time grants. BC-based events will receive more government support for sustained recovery in response to calls from this sector for help. “Fairs, festivals and events are the heart of our co...
Read MoreOkanagan College Recognized as a 'BC Top Employer'
Feb 13, 2024Kelowna Chamber congratulates Okanagan College (OC) in being recognized as one of the province's top employers, as announced today. For staff at Okanagan College, having a job in a place where there is a strong sense of connection to community...
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