Chamber to Host Business-Focused Municipal Election Event
Come for a cup of coffee before you head to work
Join the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce for a municipal election forum focused on the issues that matter most to local businesses.
We’ll hear a robust discussion led by moderator Bill Bennett. Bill served as a BC cabinet minister and MLA for 16 years and was a lawyer in Cranbrook, a small business owner, and Past President of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Cranbrook Rotary Club. Bill is also an active member of our Chamber.
Who’s invited?
We’ll be inviting all candidates for Cranbrook’s next Mayor and Council to share their perspectives on supporting business, and the critical role the business community plays in Cranbrook’s broader success.
You’ll hear directly from candidates in attendance as they discuss their priorities, answer questions, and share their vision for Cranbrook’s future.
We encourage all Chamber members, business owners and those who care about the health of the business community to attend.
How do I submit a question?
There will be no open mic – questions will be pre-submitted from our membership. All Chamber members in good standing are encouraged to submit a question. Not a member yet? JOIN HERE.
Your questions will be reviewed and selected by Chamber staff. These two hours will go by fast, so we’ll make sure the questions cover a broad range of topics that are important to the membership.
What if I have follow-up questions or comments for a candidate?
We encourage everyone to reach out directly to candidates to follow-up on the issues that matter to your businesses.
This event is free to attend, but registration is required.
Reserve your seat today. Space is limited.
Have you publicly declared your intentions to run for Mayor or Council?
Please reach out to the Chamber if you would like to participate in this event.
Did You Know?
The Chamber is a non-partisan organization.
We have great working relationships with both the City of the Cranbrook and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), as we all share many common goals for Cranbrook – a healthy, vibrant thriving economy and community.
Regardless of political stripes, we work with our provincial and federal governments, as well as our Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Kootenay-Rockies, and our Member of Parliament for Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies.
Board or committee members holding public office or working as a campaign manager or financial agent of a candidate must take a leave of absence from their position until after the election.
From the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce’s Board Policies:
1.3.5 As a membership organization, the Chamber strives to be active in the democratic process to raise public awareness and education regarding their members’ interests. As a non-partisan organization, these activities will be conducted without endorsing any party or individual running for political office. As such the following will apply:
1.3.5.1 Board or committee members must avoid situations where personal representations could conflict, or be perceived to conflict, with duties and responsibilities of a Board or committee member, or the interest of the Chamber as a whole;
1.3.5.2 Any director working on an election campaign, or in an ongoing advisory role, must advise the Board;
1.3.5.3 Board or committee members holding public office or working as a campaign manager or financial agent of a candidate must take a leave of absence from their position until after the election;
1.3.5.4 The leave of absence of a Board or committee member will become effective on the date on which the Board or committee member announces their candidacy or commences work as a campaign manager or financial agent of a candidate;
1.3.5.5 To ensure that the public is aware of the separation of the Board or committee member’s personal involvement in the election from their involvement in the Chamber, the Chamber shall publish an advertisement of such leave naming the Board or committee member subject to the leave and the dates the leave will be effective;
1.3.5.6 If elected to public office of municipal level or higher, the Board or committee member must then resign their position on the Chamber Board or committee. If not elected, the Board or committee member may resume their position unless a conflict of interest arises; and
1.3.5.7 Any dispute as to whether a person is “seeking public office” or “working as a campaign manager or financial agent for a candidate” shall be determined by the Board in their absolute discretion. The Board’s decision shall be final.