Co-chair resigns after proposal that appeared to be written ‘on the back of a napkin’

Premier Tim Houston’s peace accord with the farm wine sector came crashing down on Tuesday when the co-chair of a working group resigned because of what he called an insulting proposal from the government for how it plans to support the sector.

“After eight months of discussion, the government presented the group with proposals that were incomplete and had the appearance of being written on the back of a napkin minutes before the meeting commenced,” Karl Coutinho wrote in a letter to the premier, a copy of which was shared with news outlets.

“The senior bureaucrats themselves seemed distant, unprepared, borderline hostile to people investing in this province and were unable to answer many questions. Wine grower and grape grower representatives left feeling discouraged, disheartened, and disillusioned.”

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The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking a Treasurer to join our board. We’re looking for someone ideally with a CPA designation (though not required) and governance experience to help us modernize our financial reporting and related processes.

If you or someone you know has a passion for financial oversight and making a difference in the community, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Interested candidates can send their CV to: jake@rideoutconsultinginc.com

From Luckett Vineyards & Glooscap First Nation:

We are so excited to announce this partnership as we continue on this journey to become better neighbours, listeners and allies to our local Mi’kmaq communities.

This initiative will continue to help bridge a gap between access, education, and awareness of opportunities between Glooscap First Nation and the NS farm wine industry.
 
We thank those who started this important work before us, like Benjamin Bridge Winery, who have championed the importance of strong ties between land, First Nations communities, and viticulture.

Our hope is that we can build on this and encourage more diverse and meaningful collaborations for future generations.

Read the full press release here.

Welcome! – New Members

Chamber Champion is more than just a membership tier; it’s a dynamic partnership designed to drive positive change and shape the future of the Annapolis Valley business community. By becoming a Chamber Champion Partner, you’ll position yourself as a pivotal player in the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, networking opportunities, and community support initiatives.

Here’s a glimpse of what being a Chamber Champion entails:

• Voice of Leadership: Engage in exclusive roundtable discussions with elected officials, receive special recognition at events, and elevate your leadership profile.
• Elevated Networking: Opportunity to co-host exclusive networking events, enjoy advance event notice with priority seating, free tickets and special requests to rub elbows with attendees of your choice.
• Boost your Brand: Gain enhanced visibility, strategic brand exposure, prime website placement, prominent recognition, and event marketing credit to further amplify your brand’s reach.
• Enhanced Community Support: Demonstrate your commitment to the community through increased support for local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Discover the full details of our Chamber Champions package here. Please contact executivedirector@annapolisvalleychamber.ca for more information, or to attend a personalized meeting. Let’s explore how the Chamber Champion program can benefit your business and contribute to the success of our community.

Atlantic Chamber New Strategic Plan

We are excited to announce the development of our new strategic plan.  The most extensive strategic planning exercise in the ACC’s history!

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