Kelowna: Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr will address chamber members and guests on Wednesday October 15 at the Delta Grand Hotel. As Secretary of State, Fuhr will provide an update on activities being carried out to meet the new 5% of GDP spending requirement on defence, and the overall impact on Canada’s defence infrastructure. The luncheon is the final event of the Chamber’s 2025 OC Speaker Series.
Speaking as a local MP, Fuhr will also address community issues, projects and activities in the constituency. Hot topics locally include invasive mussels, bail reform, and the temporary foreign worker component of Canada’s immigration policy.
Fuhr has had a demanding schedule since his secretarial appointment. He will report on his meetings with businesses across the country, including B.C., in which he’s been expected to gauge their capacity in the military industrial sector. His international visits have included trips to defence and security manufacturers as Canada prepares not only to purchase the long-awaited fighter jets, but also to build the new Royal Canadian submarine fleet, among other munitions and security needs.
“We’re fortunate to be able to present Secretary of State Fuhr at one of our Chamber luncheons in the midst of his strenuous schedule,” said Derek Gratz, President of the Kelowna Chamber. “All eyes are on Ottawa this fall, and this up-to-the-moment presentation will go a long way to help everyone better understand just where we are on a range of issues, and what the country’s timelines are for making headway in these areas.”
After his presentation, Secretary of State Fuhr will take questions from the audience via Slido.
Tickets may be reserved at www.kelownachamber.org/events.