Vision North Okanagan has formed a number of Action Teams to take on initiatives and projects identified by the Council.  Action teams consist of a chair person appointed from Vision North Okanagan and other individuals in the community who want to be involve on a particular team.   To become involved with an action team or bring forth an idea, suggestion or recommendation for a new action team, please contact us!

Current Action Teams include:


Film/TV Investment

Overall Goal: To facilitate the attraction and development of film/TV opportunities in the North Okanagan

The Film/Television Investment Action Team has been primarily working on three initiatives:
  • Researching and making recommendations for Film Ready Community Protocols
  • Enhancing the photo bank of site locations in the North Okanagan for the Okanagan Film Commission
  • Identifying a networking event for local film talent and expertise

Chair: Robert MacDonald, Okanagan Institute





Regional Rail Strategy

Overall Goal: To assist with the development of a regional rail strategy.

The Regional Rail Strategy Action Team has been focussed on the following aspects:
  • Meeting with businesses and communities affected by the changes in rail service to the area and lobbying for preservation of an important section of rail that affects local business specifically
  • Assisting in the implementation of the feasibility study on the rail and potential reload centre project.

Chair: Tate Bengston, Enderby Chamber of Commerce





Collaboration for New Business Attraction

Overall Goal: To work collaboratively with other regions of the Okanagan to attract Resin Systems Inc. to the Valley.

In progress – new action team.

Chair: Brad Clements, Okanagan Partnership





Paddling Centre/Non-Motorized Lake Access

Overall Goal: To increase public and non-motorized marine access to North Okanagan lakes and develop a paddling centre in the region.

This Action Team has been working on the following initiatives:
  • Completing an inventory of public access on all three major lakes and create an access plan for each including reviewing the existing strategies to identify complications and challenges
  • Organizing a meeting for interested parties to discuss lake access needs
  • Creating an access plan and business plan for a paddling centre that includes boat storage and rental opportunities as well as safely launched.

Chair: Val Trevis, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce





Affordable/Attainable Housing

Overall Goal: To assist in the facilitation of affordable and attainable housing in the North Okanagan.

This Action Team has been working on the following initiatives:

  • Developing a presentation for the North Okanagan municipal councils on the need for and value of affordable housing policies and ensuring affordable housing is part of the Regional Growth Strategy
  • Creating a financial model for private developers and non-profit organizations to work together on affordable /attaining housing developments
  • Researching and creating an Affordable/Attainable Housing Strategy for Vernon

Chair: Annette Sharkey, Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan





Public Market/Local Food Initiatives

Overall Goal: To expand and support local food development in the North Okanagan, including testing the feasibility of a permanent public/farmer’s market

This Action Team has been focussed on conducting the initial research on other similar permanent public/farmer’s markets and sourcing funding for a business/feasibility plan for a locale and structure of a permanent venture in the North Okanagan.

Chair: Kim Flick, City of Vernon





Convention Centre

Overall Goals: To facilitate the development of a convention centre in the North Okanagan

This Action Team is making efforts to identify and bring together the parties who are looking at the development of similar facilities. To date, contact has been made with some organizations and potential sites have been toured.

Chair: Kevin Poole, Economic Development Officer, Vernon





Labour Market Information

Overall Goal: To improve the skilled and professional job opportunities, identify and manage the future shortage of labour force and research business opportunities base on the labour force.

Currently, this Action Team is collating the baseline information on the labour force skill sets and employer needs over a number of industries. The group has also developed a concept paper for funding a research initiative to identify local employer issues such as retention, expansion, labour force and human resource needs.

Chair: Eric Kowalski, Interior Health Authority





Regional Government Collaboration

Overall Goal: To facilitate regional government collaboration on economic development opportunities.

To facilitate regional government collaboration on economic development opportunities.
  • Increasing the awareness of Vision North Okanagan by making presentations to all of the municipal Mayors and Councils
  • Developing the public side of the Vision North Okanagan website and publish results of the various action teams and initiatives

Chair: Greg Schroeder, Community Futures North Okanagan





Single Point of Contact

Overall Goal: To facilitate a single point of contact for inbound investment and attraction.

The focus of this Action Team is:
  • Verifying one point/portal of contact for regional economic development
  • Creating a team of resources for the single point of contact and facilitating regional community collaboration
  • Developing a welcoming package for potential new businesses interested in the region.

Chair: Kevin Poole, Economic Development Officer, Vernon





Our Okanagan

Overall Goal: To expand collaboration and partnership opportunities through the development of a regional web portal.

This action team has been supporting the development of the Our Okanagan project through which an online portal database will be developed where businesses can self-register to increase access to sourcing local suppliers, customers, collaboration opportunities and link together into “clusters”.

Chair: Brad Clements, Okanagan Partnership





Welcoming and Inclusive Communities

Overall Goal: To develop a resource page for immigrants and newcomers to the North Okanagan.

This Action Team is supporting the initiative through the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan where a Welcoming Community grant has been secured to augment the City of Vernon’s webpage with pertinent information for newcomers and immigrants to the area.

Chair: Annette Sharkey, Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan