Municipal leaders around the Central Okanagan have banded together to ensure the region emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic with a strong economy.

All Central Okanagan mayors, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO), as well as Westbank First Nationsa国际传媒檚 Chief Chris Derickson, participated in a virtual news conference on April 15 to announce the Regional Mayorssa国际传媒� and Westbank First Nation Chiefsa国际传媒檚 Economic Recovery Task Force.

While the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission is already working to help businesses in the short-term by outlining available resources to combat shutdowns and revenue losses, the new task force will focus on the medium- and long-term economic recovery of the region. The task force adds the weight of local politicians who can lobby for support from higher levels of government sa国际传媒� which is exactly what it plans to do.

sa国际传媒淲e are asking for assistance. One of those is in the tax deferral program because we know many people are struggling, and perhaps they would be better served in deferring their taxes,sa国际传媒� said Basran, who is heading the force along with RDCO board chair Gail Given.

sa国际传媒淭he municipality cansa国际传媒檛 do that, itsa国际传媒檚 a program offered by the provincial government.sa国际传媒�

The task force will work alongside the 45 board members of the commission to find ways to ensure businesses are both still around and successful after provincial orders regarding gatherings are eased or lifted.

No specific examples were given on what future action will be taken by the task force.

Westbank First Nation Chief Chris Derrickson said itsa国际传媒檚 the sa国际传媒榬esiliencesa国际传媒� of the local business community that will lead it out of these trying times, however.

sa国际传媒淚 think wesa国际传媒檙e one of the most entrepreneurial areas in Canada,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚t is not necessary this task force sa国际传媒� it will help sa国际传媒� but it will be those entrepreneurs and those people already out there taking these risks to start those businesses.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: First COVID-19 death confirmed in Interior Health region

READ MORE: B.C. prepares to host regional COVID-19 sa国际传媒榲irtual town hallssa国际传媒�

michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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