It’s been a turbulent year for the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce, but at its AGM, Board Chair Joe Von Doellen said that the organization has emerged with a renewed focus. Members gathered at the Canalta Hotel on Wednesday, June 25 for a recap of the year’s business.
“It was a challenging year, one that saw us go through three executive directors,” Von Doellen said in his remarks. “I strongly believe that we now have hired a very strong permanent executive director who will be here for many years.” Von Doellen spoke of Elvircia Natlazo-Vythilingum, who stepped into the role full time earlier this year.
“Not only did we struggle to hold a leader, but we had an identity crisis where we asked ourselves why we exist,” Von Doellen continued. “Through a strategic planning session, it was agreed that our direction will continue to be around advocacy for the business community - in other words representing the business community at all levels of government.
For her part, Natlazo-Vythilingum noted that her focus will continue on growth, advocacy and support for businesses as she grows into her new position. New initiatives for the coming fiscal year include a revitalized website, a tiered membership structure with tailored benefits, more inclusive engagement, and renewed programs and services responding to the real time needs of local businesses.
The audited financial report reflected some of the previous year’s turmoil given a slight fall in assets and an increase in liabilities. Treasurer Rowena Mallari said much of the shift in expenditures balanced out given fewer activities in the previous year, such as no Mark of Excellence Awards, and reduced staff hours because of the vacancies.
On hand as guest speaker was CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Prabha Ramaswamy. As part of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s annual chamber network tour, Ramaswamy emphasized the economic weight and collaborative strength of the province’s business community.
“When we speak as a province and as a chamber network, we speak on behalf of 10,000 businesses,” Ramaswamy said, highlighting the Chamber’s provincial reach. “Coast to coast across Canada, that number rises to 240,000. This is a network with real impact.”
Ramaswamy detailed the ongoing challenges the business sector faces, particularly the trade dispute with the United States.
“Since January of 2025, we've spent a lot of our time tackling this challenge,” Ramaswamy noted, citing that 55% of Saskatchewan’s trade is with the U.S., accounting for over $20 billion in economic activity. Speaking to the broader implications, they stressed, “Tariffs are not the answer. They undermine both the Canadian and U.S. economies.”
As part of the Chamber’s advocacy, Ramaswamy described recent efforts to engage both federal policymakers and American counterparts.
“We met with the CEOs of the 10 U.S. state chambers that do the most trade with Saskatchewan, and regardless of party lines, they agree that tariffs hurt both sides,” she said. A recent trade mission to Washington, D.C., including meetings with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, reinforced that consensus.
Domestically, the Chamber has been pressing federal officials on persistent labor disruptions and regulatory hurdles.
“In just a few months, we've sent 18 letters to the federal government,” Ramaswamy shared, pointing to strikes that have disrupted national supply chains and tarnished Canada’s reputation as a reliable trade partner. In response, the Saskatchewan Chamber has also formed new coalitions, including the Western Canada Business Coalition, to coordinate regional economic strategies.
Looking ahead, Ramaswamy pointed to the Chamber’s newly launched Youth Entrepreneur Bursary program as a signal of long-term investment in local communities. “We’re awarding $5,000 to one youth entrepreneur in each of our 57 communities,” they said, adding that over 180 applications have already been received. “It’s just one more way we’re ensuring our business network is not only strong today but built to last.”
The meeting concluded with the induction of two new board members by acclamation – Andrew Breker and Ray Whitton. Mike Yager, previous board member, had made the decision to step away.