Business leaders from across B.C. have passed policies calling for support for wineries; and taxation on short-term rental stays, such as those through Airbnb.

Draft versions of these proposed policies are available on the BC Chamber website. www.bcchamber.org

Denise Blashko, Executive Director of the SOCC says, “These policies were passed at the BC Chamber Annual General Meeting & Conference in Kelowna, May 29 – 31. It is important that the SOCC attend and support policy proposals that benefit business in the south Okanagan.”
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce is part of a unique grassroots policy-building forum that brings together approximately 200 Chamber delegates from across B.C. to vote on new business and economic policies. Policies that are adopted become part of the BC Chamber’s advocacy agenda.

“We encourage businesses in the South Okanagan Chamber to bring forward their issues (and solutions) to the chamber’s Policy Committee, who will then research the issue, develop policy recommendations, and forward those onto the BC Chamber. The lobbying efforts of the BC Chamber have been incredibly effective. Our mandate is to promote an environment where business in our communities can thrive, and being a part of the broader chamber advocacy efforts is an important part of that process,” says Blashko.