• Summerside Chamber Forms Task Force To Support Potato Industry

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    Wednesday, December 8, 2021

    The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce has struck a task force to support the Island potato in the wake of the border closure due to the discovery of potato wart.

     "The $1.3 billion potato industry in PEI is a massive economic driver in the province, contributing over $500 million to the provincial GDP and creating over 5,000+ jobs," notes a statement from the chamber. "The recent actions the Federal Government has had on this crucial industry are a concern for our members and the region as a whole."
     
    The business organization is committed to working with stakeholders to support this industry. They have asked for a meeting with Egmont MP Robert Morrissey on the issue. They have also written letters of support to the industry to the City of Summerside and the provincial ministers of agriculture and economic development.
     
     
    "The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce stands with our members, the Government of Prince Edward Island, and the PEI Potato Board as we call for the Federal Government to immediately address this urgent matter and remedy this issue so that PEI potato farmers can resume exports to the United States," the statement notes.
     
    The Summerside Chamber also joined with all of the other chambers of commerce in the province, as well as the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce in writing a letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie Claude Bibeau asking for the border to be reopened immediately.

     
     

  • Business Truth & Reconciliation Business Truth & Reconciliation

    The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to promote reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights within the corporate sector. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 92, the Chamber urges its members to embrace the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding framework. This entails a commitment to meaningful consultation, fostering respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before embarking on economic projects. Moreover, the Chamber advocates for equitable access to employment, training, and educational opportunities for Indigenous communities, ensuring they reap sustainable benefits from economic development initiatives.

     

    Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect.

    Learn more click here