Nanaimo Chamber - Leadercast Position

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
Position on Nanaimo City Council Leadercast Cancellation

Nanaimo has been under a growing spotlight of negative scrutiny after a motion by Nanaimo City Council to suddenly and arbitrarily prohibit a video conference of global business, political and cultural icons speaking on the subject of leadership passed by a margin of 8 – 1 on May 5.

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce had agreed, with others in the community, to sponsor this international event presented locally by Glacier Media, publishers of the Nanaimo Daily News. Luminary speakers such as Desmond Tutu, Laura Bush, Malcolm Gladwell and Simon Sinek were booked. The Chamber had also sponsored a speaking engagement by Sinek less than a year previously.

City Council explained, in a lengthy presentation of individual opinions, their rationale for taking this questionable approach to an event that would seem, on inspection, a very positive contribution to the business community at the least.

The Chamber of Commerce has lost its investment as a sponsor of “Leadercast”, as did the presenters. All of Nanaimo missed an opportunity to hear a leadership message from global thought generators. In our assessment, the opinion of a small sector of the community, voiced through one or two individuals, was given unwarranted, special attention at the detriment of the larger community.

We support the City of Nanaimo in its efforts to reverse the unfavourable light cast upon our community. The Chamber will exercise its mandate to assist and support the community to rectify negative perceptions of Nanaimo resulting from this action, including short and long-term actions. Nanaimo remains an open and inclusive community respecting the diversity of race, religion, creed and opinion that is the basis of our social mosaic.