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The quick read: While trade talks with the United States have stalled and tariffs keep climbing, Kelowna businesses are not waiting around. Today, November 3, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce co-hosts a Defence Procurement Forum at the Coast Capri Hotel, connecting local firms with defence industry and government experts. The Chamber's message is blunt: Canada must cut internal trade barriers, build trade-enabling infrastructure, and diversify its markets instead of waiting on Washington.

Kelowna's business community is not sitting still while the trade war drags on.

Today, November 3, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce co-hosts a Defence Procurement Forum at the Coast Capri Hotel, bringing together panelists from the defence industry and from government, with networking for businesses interested in or involved in defence procurement strategy. Local and national experts will be on hand to share insights with local businesses.

The tariff squeeze

The forum comes as the Chamber warns that the collapse of Canada-U.S. trade talks is raising costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.

According to the Chamber's statement, trade talks broke down on the night of August 21, and 50 per cent tariffs went into effect on roughly $27 billion CAD of Canadian goods, with 14 per cent of B.C.'s exports to the U.S. now affected, higher than any other province in the country.

The U.S. president has predicted additional tariff targets starting January 1, 2027, including cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel. Given B.C.'s forestry industry, the Chamber says the hit here will be significant, threatening jobs, investment and economic growth across the province.

Stop waiting, start building

The Chamber's prescription is the common-sense kind that Ottawa too often ignores.

Governments must move urgently to reduce internal trade barriers, build trade-enabling infrastructure, advance major resource and industrial projects, diversify export markets, and do everything they can to strengthen Canada's competitiveness. The Chamber is blunt that walking away from a bad deal was the right call, but the months ahead will be hard for business, and Canada cannot afford to wait.

The Chamber is also bringing Canada's Chief Trade Commissioner, Sara Wilshaw, to Kelowna on Tuesday, November 10, for a half-day event at the Innovation Centre, with trade panels and updates on the state of play, tariff-wise.

That is the right attitude: stop begging for a deal, start opening new doors, and let Kelowna businesses compete on their merits.

Source: Kelowna Chamber of Commerce statement on Canada-U.S. trade talks, November 2026.