Chamber’s wine policy ‘big deal’
Monday, 06 February 2012 00:00
By Lyonel Doherty
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to one of its policies bringing down inter-provincial wine barriers in Canada.
“It’s a big deal,” said president Petra Veintimilla following the Chamber’s recent annual general meeting in Osoyoos.
Members discussed several highlights of 2011, the biggest being the introduction of a policy to dissolve inter-provincial trade barriers for domestic wine. Veintimilla said most people don’t realize that bringing wine across a provincial border into BC is illegal.
She noted the policy was supported by all chambers in the valley before it was introduced at the BC Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in Prince George.
This resulted in a bill being introduced in the House of Commons by Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas. Bill C-311 seeks to amend the archaic Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (of 1928) by making it legal to order or ship Canadian wine across provincial borders. The bill recently passed second reading in the House.
“It’s super exciting as a chamber (to have everyone in favour of our policy),” Veintimilla said.
Other highlights of 2011 included another successful Festival of the Grape in Oliver, and hosting the all-candidates meetings, she pointed out. In addition, the Chamber stepped away from the Oliver Visitor Centre and let the Oliver Tourism Association run the show.
“We’re taking a step forward in an effort to be the voice of business,” Veintimilla said.
The board picked Big Horn Ridge Guest House as business of the year for 2011. Even during the downturn in the economy, the guest house retained an 80 per cent occupancy rate, noted Bonnie Dancey, chief executive officer of the Chamber.
New executive members include Veintimilla as president, Linda Winje as 1st vice-president, and Holly Plante as 2nd vice-president.
Regular board members (directors) from Oliver include Linda Sheehy-Brownstein and April Goldade (filling the position of Katie Amos, who stepped down).
Directors from Osoyoos are Payam Sanai, Holly Plante and Jim King. Director at large is Chris Scheuren.
Directors from Okanagan Falls are Linda Winje, Myers Bennett, and Sieg Tennert.
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