It is very difficult to consider the impact of the news from the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and certainly within all Indigenous communities of the discovery of a mass grave of 215 Indigenous children at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. It is essential to recognize the leadership of Chief Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in his early call for national recognition of this failure within our nation’s history, and it amplifies the need to continue to support the Save the Evidence campaign at the Woodland Cultural Centre located in our region, on the site of the former Mohawk Institute, a residential school named the Mush Hole by the students who attended it. It is also National Indigenous History Month, a now essential opportunity to be more informed about more details of our country’s history.
June also marks Pride Month, celebrating the diversity of our community and advocating for equality for all. This is a business issue, with Canada being home to over 28,000 LGBT+ businesses, generating over $22B in economic activity while employing over 435,000 Canadians. Improved economic prosperity and quality of life include all who can participate.
Final preparations are underway for the 2021 Business Excellence Awards presented by BDO. The BEA Committee is excited to be able to celebrate our nominees and winners this year on Thursday, June 17th. Please pick up a ticket package with a thoughtfully designed gift bag featuring Chamber member businesses as soon as you can. Register Here
Our Golf Tournament has been adjusted under the re-opening plan to Wednesday, July 28th, and is proving again to be a much-needed activity for many members and their guests. Please join us for a safely distanced round on a great course with great food, courtesy of Chamber member Copetown Woods Golf Club.
Information around the provincial re-opening plans continues to be dynamic, and through the efforts of the Chamber network some of the concerns of previous re-opening efforts were reflected in recent announcements by the province, however, businesses should be aware that efforts are continuing to advocate for additional supports, particularly in the hardest-hit retail and hospitality sectors. We will keep you informed as future announcements are made.
Stay safe, test negative, stay positive.
Dave
