The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce shows grit all year and plays a critical role for the business community.
The chamber’s work on advocacy and policy work affect chamber members and business in the Valley. With 135 Chambers across British Columbia working on the same goal of creating the best BC to work, invest, live, and play in. Chambers are businesses biggest cheerleaders. During Chamber Week our chamber is highlighting some of the big ‘wins’. Here are a few:
• Construction industry collaboration: The chamber hosted a workshop with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association to discuss new BC Building Codes. A great spin-off from this was a collaborative partnership with Building Links, providing us with even more information for our members.
• Comox Valley Regional District and grease traps: The chamber met with local restaurant owners and the CVRD to discuss concerns around the proposed grease trap waste deadline for collection. Through discussions, the deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2019. The CVRD will focus on effective ways of processing grease trap waste at the landfill site. This is a big win for the hundreds of restaurants in the Valley.
• The chamber holds a seat on the “Get your poop in a group” advisory committee, a.k.a. CV Sewerage System Liquid Waste Management planning public advisory committee. Stay tuned for more updates coming down the pipe.
• Vital Signs Report collaboration: This year the chamber sponsored the 2018 Vital Signs report. The report is much-needed key resource. Vital Signs outlines many gaps and needs in the Valley and is a great tool for business and for promoting well-being in our community. You can pick up copies at the Chamber office if you don’t have yours yet.
• BC Employment Standards Act reform snd business: Recently the provincial government introduced proposed changes to the Labour Standards Act that will greatly impact business. The chamber hosted a round-table discussion with key members and MLA Ronna Rae Leonard.
“Thriving Orcas, Thriving Communities”: On Dec. 6 in Victoria, a coalition of 18 chambers united to ask DFO to review its south resident kKiller whale critical habitat extension and to seek further input from business, Indigenous peoples, and to invite citizen science to the table. Chambers will be presenting a provincial policy at the B.C. Chamber policy session in May.
The week of Feb. 18-22 is Chamber week. Want to be more engaged in your community? Join the chamber network. Stop by our office at 2040 Cliffe Avenue or email Julie at julie@comoxvalleychamber.com
For more information on the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.comoxvalleychamber.com or call 250-334-3234.