| Specific Topics of Lobbying Communications |
Intended Outcomes |
Associated Subject Matters |
Before an emergency measure such as a travel ban is ordered, we are asking that the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness create an enhanced set of criteria and advanced analytical tools before
implementing an emergency measure as serious and significant as a travel ban, including but not limited to:
• Determining how many evacuees require shelter / hotel rooms by analyzing information provided by
evacuees on the Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) site, and at physical evacuation centres;
• Identifying where evacuees work, such as neighbouring communities, in order to tailor any travel ban
to those areas most likely to be used by evacuees;
• Contacting the local governments and tourism associations in communities that may be required to
house evacuees in order to determine their current capacity/occupancy;
• Utilizing large public facilities for initial evacuee shelter space before moving into privately owned
accommodations such as hotels and motels so that demand can be more accurately measured;
• Providing market-value compensation to privately-owned accommodators for any and all room nights
affected by emergency measures that are not subsequently occupied by evacuees or emergency
personnel. This would ensure that private operators do not suffer financial hardship and adds a level of
accountability for the government.
Last August's economically devastating travel ban throughout the South Okanagan did not see any significant number of evacuees utilize accommodations that were forced into vacancy because of the travel ban, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenues, including the cancellation of the world-renowned Ironman Triathlon.
|
-
Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation
|
Economic Development and Trade, Emergency Preparedness, Employment and Training, Small Business, Sports and Recreation, Tourism, Transportation
|
Send a letter to Ministers' Farnworth, Popham, Bailey, and Alexis, as well as local MLA Dan Ashton and local MP Richard Cannings to recommend changes to legislation relating to the British Columbia wine industry, including:
1. Given the 58% reduction in grape production last year, and now a forecasted 97-99% reduction in
2024’s vintage, suspend the minimum fermenting requirements and temporarily allow B.C. land-based
wineries the ability to purchase and utilize non-B.C. grapes in order to keep B.C. wines in production
and on our shelves.
2. Permanently allow a single license for land-based wineries to conduct tastings anywhere on their
property, as is already done successfully in Ontario. The current B.C. requirement of hiring consultants
and meticulously planning changes to tasting areas is unnecessarily excessive and stifles growth.
3. Consolidate the various licenses (tasting, picnic, lounge, special endorsement) into one license, with a
streamlined approval process of 30 days or less. The current system, which can take up to 12 months
for approval of additions to your existing manufacturing license and involves hiring consultants and
engineers, is burdensome and impedes business development.
4. Commit to recognizing B.C. wine tourism as a strategic marketing priority equivalent to that of British
Columbian ski hills in order to drive visitation through wine tourism programming.
5. Advocate to the Government of Alberta the proposal of B.C. wineries of collecting and remitting to the
Albertan government the $2.75 per bottle tax for direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales in order to restore a
B.C. winery’s ability to also sell through liquor retail shelves and restaurants.
|
-
Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation
|
Agriculture, Economic Development and Trade, Liquor Control/Alcohol, Tourism
|
Subject matters added through an Lobbying Activity Report:
Subject matters added through an Lobbying Activity Report:
|
The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce respectfully adds its voice to the objections raised by the District of Summerland, the Penticton Indian Band, and the Summerland Chamber of Commerce regarding the approval of a gravel mining operation in Garnet Valley. The decision to approve this aggregate mine at 27600 Garnet Valley Road is concerning, given the cultural, environmental, and economic significance of the area, and the history of failed development attempts by the landowner over the past six years. It is this Chamber's position that the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Carbon Innovation should reverse this decision and cancel the permit for this gravel mine.
The Penticton Indian Band, as part of the syilx Nation, has clearly expressed that this area holds deep cultural and historical value. Chief Greg Gabriel and PIB Natural Resource Department Director James Pepper have emphasized that the proposed mining operation would severely impact syilx Title, Rights, interests, and the economy. Garnet Valley has been essential to the syilx people for generations, serving as a vital area for food, social, and ceremonial activities. Additionally, the valley provides critical habitat for species at risk, and the gravel pit proposal directly contradicts the PIB's ongoing restoration and conservation efforts in this region.
The District of Summerland has raised serious concerns about the environmental risks, traffic, geotechnical stability, and potential landslides, all of which would affect existing district infrastructure. The roadways in Garnet Valley were never designed to handle the heavy transport of aggregate materials, posing a threat to both the roads themselves and the underground infrastructure. Furthermore, the mine would disrupt important winter and spring feeding habitats for already vulnerable species, negating years of conservation work in the area.
From an economic and business perspective, the impact of this decision would be significant. Garnet Valley is a picturesque, tranquil area that supports a variety of businesses, including orchards, vineyards, agritourism accommodations, and horse stables. The valley is also an essential connection point for the Trail of the Okanagans, a world-class hiking and biking project that has the potential to attract international tourism. At a time when tourism and agribusiness are crucial to the region's economic recovery, introducing another gravel mine—especially when Summerland is already served by two existing gravel providers—would undermine local investments and damage the livelihoods of small business owners.
|
- Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity
|
Conservation, Economic Development and Trade, Energy, Environment, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Industry, Land Claims, Mining, Municipal Affairs, Small Business, Tourism
|
With recent changes to short-term rental regulations, a local motel currently providing long-term rentals at below market-value rates is applying to rezone their property to tourist commercial in order to capitalize on demand that has been redirected from "AirBnB's" to commercial accommodators.
As a known tourist destination with 10% of the City's workforce employed in the tourism and hospitality industry, the City of Penticton applied for but was denied an exemption to the new regulations, and was also denied recognition as a resort community.
Given that the changes made by the provincial government have resulted in the market shifting demand back to hotels and other short-term stay commercial operators, we believe that the responsibility to create and provide alternative housing solutions those tenants at risk of being displaced should also lie with the province, and ask the Ministry of Housing to provide the resources for its Crown Corporation B.C. Housing to act upon our advocacy requests in order to support development in our community while also protecting those who are vulnerable to displacement resulting from the provincial government's regulatory changes to short-term rentals.
As a stopgap measure, the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce has specifically asked B.C. Housing to provide rental supplements until such time as more affordable housing becomes available, and has requested that phase one of B.C. Housing's Skaha Assembly Redevelopment project's timetable be expedited by one year.
|
- Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity
|
Economic Development and Trade, Housing, Poverty, Tourism
|
|