The Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition, representing resort and mountain communities across British Columbia and Alberta, including Columbia Valley, Fernie and Kimberley, has released its 2026 Advocacy Priorities, outlining urgent actions needed to support the long-term viability of resort economies that are central to Canada’s tourism, community, and rural economic success.

Resort community businesses continue to face intensifying pressures related to workforce availability, housing affordability, and transportation infrastructure – challenges that directly affect the cost of doing business.

The Coalition’s priorities focus on practical, coordinated advocacy that reflect the unique realities of seasonal and tourism-based economies.

A reliable and available workforce remains the most critical challenge facing resort communities. The Coalition is calling for action to:

• Strengthen long-term immigration pathways and tailored solutions for rural and resort communities;
• Increase Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations for provinces with tourism-based economies;
• Address workforce participation barriers through expanded access to childcare in rural and resort regions.
• Increase provincial investment in settlement and migrant worker support.

Access to housing is fundamental to workforce attraction and community stability. The Coalition is advocating for:

• Investment and policy support for long-term and seasonal employee housing;
• Increased supply of market housing to support year-round residents and local workforce growth;
• Flexible funding and planning tools that recognize resort and seasonal community dynamics;
• Federal investment in core infrastructure (water, sewer, roads) to enable new housing development

Safe, reliable transportation networks underpin economic activity and community connectivity. The Coalition’s priorities include:

• Improved highway connectivity and safety, particularly along key tourism and goods-movement corridors;
• Recognition of transportation infrastructure as a pillar of the tourism economy;
• Expanded and sustainable public transit options for residents, workers, and visitors in resort regions.

“Resort communities are economic engines, yet too often policy is designed with urban realities in mind,” said Revelstoke’s Caroline Lachapelle, Chair for the Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition.

“Our advocacy priorities reflect real, on-the-ground challenges shared by resort communities across the country.”

The Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition will engage with federal, provincial, and regional governments throughout 2026 to advance these priorities and collaborate on solutions.

The Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition is a collaborative network of chambers representing resort, mountain, and tourism-based communities across British Columbia and Alberta. Including the following: Bow Valley, Columbia Valley, Fernie, Harrison-Agassiz, Jasper, Kamloops & District, Kicking Horse Country, Kimberley & District, Revelstoke, South Okanagan, Tofino, Trail & District, Ucluelet, Valemount & Area and Whistler.

e-KNOW file photos

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