ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Whistler Chamber progressing province-wide labour shortage solutions
During UBCM Whistler Chamber CEO, Melissa Pace and Board Chair, Theresa Walterhouse met with Minister of Labour, Harry Bains regarding the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the effects the province-wide labour shortage is having on our community.
Melissa and Theresa walked Minister Bains through the village demonstrating first-hand the effects of the shortage on our local economy. The walk and talk highlighted the volume of help wanted signs in store windows and Melissa explained that many Members have been forced to shorten hours, reduce menus, close sections in restaurants and more.
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, also joined the conversation and arranged a meeting with his Asst Deputy Minister, Rob Mingay the next day.
Progress for our Members:
- Assistant Deputy Minister Mingay has committed to writing a letter to Minister Ralston outlining the state of labour in the Province – calling it now a ‘labour crisis’ – seeking direction and strategic initiatives to support the business community of BC.
- While the TFWP and working holiday visas are only one piece of a multifaceted challenge, your chamber continues to advocate on housing, transportation, and solutions to support our business community now and into the future.
- We will continue to follow up with the Ministers to ensure progress and changes are made.
Member Represents Whistler Businesses in Conversation with Prime Minister
In December last year, Patrick Weiler, MP, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, reached out to the Whistler Chamber to ask for a list of Members who would…
Welcoming the New Cabinet Ministers
On November 26, Premier John Horgan announced a new slate of cabinet ministers who will lead BC through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the economic recovery.
Use Your Voice: COVID Impact Survey
With rising COVID cases, the Whistler Chamber is running another COVID-19 ‘Pulse Check’ Survey to see how your business is impacted during this critical time. We want to hear your voice.
2020 Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM
Last week Diana Chan, Chair of the Whistler Chamber’s Board of Directors and CEO, Melissa Pace, attended the two-day virtual Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and policy sessions…
BC Chamber Network Launches Building Resilience to Thrive Program
Last week, the Building Resilience to Thrive program, powered by the BC Chamber of Commerce network and UVic’s Gustavson School of Business, launched to businesses across the province…
Labour Survey Results: Majority of Whistler Businesses Expect to be Under-Staffed this Winter
Whistler’s labour shortage has persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Despite an increase in Canadian recruitment, 68% of Whistler businesses with 50 or more employees did not have enough staff in summer 2020…
Whistler Chamber Supports First Steps in Province’s Economic Recovery Plan
Last week, the provincial government shared details of its Economic Recovery Plan, Stronger BC. In addition to broad consultation and recommendations, the Stronger BC Plan took into consideration the BC Chamber of Commerce Economic Recovery Submission…
Chambers Concerned that CECRA is Coming to an End too Soon
During last week’s BC Chamber network call, the Whistler Chamber raised the critical issue of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program coming to an end. We voiced our concerns on Whistler businesses behalf; while CECRA has been…
Moving the Dial on Whistler Child Care Solutions
Your Chamber continually champions child care as a key issue facing Whistler businesses and our wider community. This year we have been at the table having discussions with our leaders in our community, and our resort partners, including the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
Advocacy in Action with MLA Jordan Sturdy
This week the Whistler Chamber held a virtual roundtable discussion with Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and a small group of Members. The goal of this discussion was to provide our MLA with a deeper understanding of Whistler businesses’ main concerns are at this time.