The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce is always working to create an environment for business to thrive. Our relationships with regional partners, government representatives and key stakeholders help us amplify your voice and effect change.
Advocacy News
CVCC Transit Policy adopted at the BC Chamber AGM
Pete, Chris, and Cris were at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM at the beginning of June. Each year the BC Chamber of Commerce reviews and accepts policy resolutions from local chambers. This year the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce submitted a resolution aimed at improving rural representation and communication with BC Transit. Our current BC Transit solution is not working effectively for valley residents and BC Transit’s current policies make it very difficult to create a solution that addresses our needs. We are pleased to announce that our resolution was approved and is now part of the BC Chamber of Commerce’s Policies and Positions Manual for 2026-2027. Thank you to our Policy & Advocacy Committee for their hard work in preparing this policy! The Policies & Positions Manual is what guides the BC Chamber in their conversations and communications with the BC Government. Having this policy in the manual is a huge win for businesses and their employees in the valley who struggle to find ways to get to and from work. More and more we are hearing from all levels of government that they need and value chamber’s abilities to give them on the ground information to help guide their decisions and priorities. Being active at the provincial level can and will create change!
The CVCC to present policy at the BC Chamber AGM aimed at improving results for rural communities in dealings with BC Transit
Inadequate transit service in the Columbia Valley continues to be a challenge for employers and their employees. The CVCC has identified that a lack of engagment and representation with BC Transit and rural locations is a key barrier to satisfactory transit solutions.
The CVCC Policy and Advocacy Committee has written a resolution aimed at addressing the need for a change to the process by which BC Transit and rural communities work together for a better transit solution. This resolution will be presented for adoption at the BC Chamber AGM in June of 2026.
Click here to see the current BC Chamber Policies and Positions Manual.
Goal: Change BC Government policy.
Timeline: Long-term
Meeting with MLA Scott McInnis
Peter Bourke and Chris Insull sat down with MLA Scott McInnis to discuss everything from time zones to Temporary Foreign Worker policies.
Don’t forget that the CVCC advocates on behalf of it’s membership and the business community to all levels of government. Be sure to let us know what you want us to bring up when we sit down with partners, stakeholders, and elected officials so that we can take your voice to the people that can effect change.
BC Government reduces barriers for Intranasal Noloxone access.
BC Chamber Policy Resolution – Intranasal Naloxone: Eliminating Preventable Barriers for Use
The BC Chamber of Commerce adopted a policy in 2023 reflecting sustained concern about the impacts of the toxic drug crisis on communities and businesses. This policy was reaffirmed in 2025. In November of 2026 the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Honourable Josie Osborne, the Minister of Health urging the Government to expand intranasal naloxone by removing barriers to its availability across the province. The BC Governments announcement to support access of intranasal noloxone across BC in February 2026 reflects alignment with that member-driven work.
Goal: Change BC Government policy.
Timeline: Completed!
The CVCC joins the Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition
Chambers of Commerce that operate within resort municipalities in British Columbia have come together to form a new Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition (RCCC), a collaborative alliance designed to amplify the collective voice of businesses in resort-based economies, and identify opportunities for partnerships to support business and economic growth.
The founding Chambers in the Resort Chamber Coalition are; Revelstoke, Columbia Valley, Fernie, Harrison-Agassiz, Kamloops & District, Kicking Horse Country, Kimberley & District, South Okanagan, Tofino, Trail and District, Ucluelet, Valemount, and Whistler, representing all 14 provincially designated resort communities in BC.