September COEDC Advisory Committee Meeting Focuses on Health Innovation, Physician Recruitment, and Trade Challenges

Advisory Committee September 25, 2026

The latest COEDC Advisory Committee meeting discussed key issues shaping the Central Okanagan’s economy, including regional economic development updates, health innovation, physician recruitment and retention, and trade and supply chain challenges.

Leadership and Regional Economic Development Updates

The meeting began with an introduction from Haley Oliver, Associate Director of Communications & Economic Development, who thanked Advisory Committee members for their continued support and shared recent COEDC team updates, including the upcoming arrival of Nji Mbitaownu as Economic Development Officer on October 5 as well as upcoming Executive Committee leadership transitions, with Ryan Malcom stepping into the Chair role and Angela Nagy stepping into the Vice-Chair role for 2027.

Following these updates, Corie Griffiths, Director of Corporate Services and Deputy CAO with the RDCO, provided an overview of the City of Kelowna’s request to withdraw from the regional economic development service. Since the request was submitted in July, the Administration has been working to better understand the legislative requirements, timelines, and options available. The Regional Board will review these options before providing direction on next steps. While the process remains ongoing, there are no immediate changes anticipated to COEDC programs, operations, or services. The organization’s focus remains on supporting partner municipalities and the business community.

Advancing Health Innovation Through Collaboration

Betty Brown, Innovation Liaison: Government and Community, and Dr. Dee Taylor, CEO of the JP Centre for Health Systems Learning + Innovation, shared how the organization is connecting innovators, businesses, researchers, governments, and communities to projects that improve health outcomes and access to care.

Presenters discussed the Centre’s social enterprise model, which reinvests funding back into innovation initiatives, supports emerging health technologies and services, and helps advance projects through partnerships, advisory networks, and funding strategies. The discussion highlighted opportunities for local governments and business leaders to help connect communities and innovators to projects, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare services can be more limited.

Recruiting and Retaining Physicians in the Central Okanagan

Beth Whalley, Executive Director, and Amanda Oakes, Recruitment Lead with the Central Okanagan Division of Family Practice, shared an update on physician recruitment and retention efforts. Improvements to compensation models, licensing pathways, and immigration processes have strengthened recruitment, with the region anticipating a fully attached patient population within the next 18 months. Presenters also highlighted a 95% retention rate among relocating physicians, supported by relocation services, spousal employment assistance, and community integration initiatives such as the COEDC Connector Program. To date, the program has connected with 11 trailing spouses, most of whom are planning to relocate in early 2027. The Division of Family Practice is seeking community partners to support future initiatives and help advance access to primary care in the region.

Trade, Manufacturing, and Business Resilience

Haley Oliver provided an update on COEDC’s trade and business support initiatives, including regularly updated tariff resources and the Business Resource Hub. Building on insights gathered through the 2025 COEDC Industry Roundtables and ongoing business outreach, discussions highlighted ongoing interprovincial trade barriers, supplier diversification efforts, and emerging opportunities for businesses. Haley also shared that COEDC is working with CityViz to enhance the Okanagan Manufacturing Database with new mapping features and business insights, with additional details to be shared at the October Advisory Committee meeting.

Looking Ahead

The discussions reinforced the importance of collaboration across industry, government, healthcare, and community organizations to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities. From strengthening healthcare capacity and supporting innovation to helping businesses navigate trade uncertainty, the Advisory Committee continues to provide valuable insights that support sustainable economic growth across the Central Okanagan.

The COEDC Advisory Committee, a 45-member group of industry leaders, community shapers, and elected officials, meets monthly to share information, collaborate, and work together towards sustainable economic growth.