The Fernie Chamber of Commerce is committed to strengthening our local workforce through immigration. We’re working with regional and provincial partners to address labour shortages, advocate for policy changes that make it easier for newcomers to live and work in Fernie, and connect employers with resources to support international recruitment. By advancing these initiatives, we aim to build a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable local economy.
These are the projects we’re currently working on:
October 2025: Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition (RCCC)
Chambers of Commerce in British Columbia’s resort municipalities have joined forces to form the Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition (RCCC) — a collaborative alliance amplifying the voice of resort-based businesses and fostering partnerships for economic growth.
Our first joint action was submitting a policy resolution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce addressing immigration and workforce challenges in resort communities, calling on the federal government to strengthen the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and support the vitality of Canada’s resort towns.
September 2025: Temporary Foreign Workers
Letter submitted to BC Premier from BC Chamber regarding Temporary Foreign Workers
August 2025: Reimagine Immigration
The Reimagine Immigration movement advocates for a new approach to lower-skilled immigration in Canada, aiming to replace the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce is proud to support this initiative alongside other organizations, including the Revelstoke & Bow Valley Chamber, TIAC, Restaurants Canada, the Hotel Association of Canada, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
As a signatory, we help promote the ideas behind Reimagine Immigration in our community, engaging with local, provincial, and federal elected officials to support meaningful policy change. We continue to encourage other associations, municipalities, and industry groups to join the movement and advocate for a more effective, sustainable immigration system in Canada.
Chambers of Commerce in British Columbia’s resort municipalities have joined forces to form the Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition (RCCC) — a collaborative alliance amplifying the voice of resort-based businesses and fostering partnerships for economic growth.
Our first joint action was submitting a policy resolution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce addressing immigration and workforce challenges in resort communities, calling on the federal government to strengthen the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and support the vitality of Canada’s resort towns.
May 2025: East Kootenay Immigration Roundtable
We are apart of the East Kootenay Immigration Round Table.
The East Kootenay Immigration Roundtable is a collaborative group of regional chambers, community organizations, and local stakeholders working to address immigration and workforce challenges in our rural communities. The Roundtable focuses on attracting and retaining skilled newcomers to meet labour market needs across industries like tourism, mining, healthcare, and trades.
The Roundtable engages with municipal, provincial, and federal governments to advocate for policies and programs that reflect the unique needs of rural communities. Our recent letter to Canada’s Minister of Immigration highlighted these challenges and proposed solutions, emphasizing the importance of regional immigration streams, newcomer services, and inclusive economic policies to support sustainable growth in the East Kootenay.
January, August 2025: Immigration Workshops for Employers and Employees
We run various information sessions with Jenny Perez and Caitlin Bates from Perez McKenzie Immigration. Participants received a snapshot of current immigration policies, learn about upcoming government plans, and explore opportunities for both employers and employees. Each session concludes with a Q&A, allowing attendees to have their specific questions answered.
Topics Covered at previous sessions:
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Current immigration snapshot
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IRCC and government plans for the coming years
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How employers could navigate immigration and areas of opportunity for employees
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Open Q&A session
These workshops provide valuable insights and practical guidance to support workforce planning and immigration in Fernie.
2025 Workshop dates: 2 workshops in both January and August
