Dear Readers, The Kelowna Chamber welcomes yesterday's announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Canada will establish a new export market development program and expand the Trade Commissioner Service. This will support businesses of all sizes to expand internationally and compete globally, which is the market of the future. This comes on the heels of last week's provincial government announcement of a raise in the minimum wage from $10.25 to $10.45 and further committed to reasonable and predictable yearly minimum wage increases linked to B.C. CPI. The Chamber embraces this decision as a responsible one, which won't jeopardize the future of small businesses, especially those in the service sector, and will allow for certainty and transparency when planning for employee wages. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce |