Province a “no-show” at Chamber AGM

PRINCE GEORGE – The BC Chamber of Commerce AGM has been underway in Prince George this week, discussing the pressing issues faced by small businesses as the economy pulls out of the pandemic. While there is plenty of representation from small businesses across the province, there was a glaring absence by the Province itself.

“We extended invitations to the premier, to the Minister of Finance, to the Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation to attend and some of them attended virtually last year,” explains Fiona Famulak, President & CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce. “Of course we’re disappointed. It’s always great to bring people together, especially as public health orders have lifted, and restrictions have lifted. We’ve got 170 people in the room here today that have travelled a long way to congregate and convene in Prince George. Absolutely it would have been great to see.”

“I don’t know if it’s disappointing for me necessarily. More like shocking,” says Todd Corrigal, CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, the host of this event. “This is my sixth Chamber AGM and the first that government has not been in the room. As we come out of two years of COVID and we reconcile with employment challenges and rapidly rising inflation, it’s very frustrating that at least A minister is not in the room.”