Greater Westside Board of Trade’s Annual General Meeting

Pictured at this very informative and successful AGM from left to right: Past Chair Norm LeCavalier, Executive Director Karen Beaubier, City of West Kelowna Councillor Rusty Ensign, Dan Albas MP, Former Past Chair Marek Buryska and BC Chamber President Jon Garson.

​It was a pleasure to be at the Greater Westside Board of Trade’s Annual General Meeting today. This morning’s keynote speaker was Jon Garson, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. Jon’s comments were on the shifting political and economic landscape and how these issues can pose challenges for BC businesses. Among these he raised that the newly elected Government of Canada did not provide a lot of details in its 2015 election platform and that there were many unknowns in its approach to the current economic climate. He also raised that the business community, particularly in the energy sector, have concerns with some of the Government’s musings about a new National Energy Board process and a potential legislated tanker ban off the coast of Northern BC as all of these can, if not carefully addressed, create uncertainty and drive away investment and ultimately jobs.  Jon stated that he looks forward to engaging with new Government to ensure the Voice of BC business is heard, something I am very supportive of.