BC Chamber in the Headlines
July 7
Mayors vote to hike gas tax to fund Evergreen Line - Vancouver Sun
"Given the projected growth in the region, including road pricing into a direct traffic demand management system will be crucial," John Winter, president and CEO, said in a statement. "Road pricing allows for an element of choice . . ."
July 5
B.C. supports seniors with age friendly business guide - Prince George Citizen
"Given the demographic realities of the baby boomer generation, accommodating older customers is becoming a necessity," said John Winter, president and CEO, B.C. Chamber of Commerce.
What’s new @ bcchamber.org
New Staples Advantage Discount Program
The BC Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to announce a new benefit program. staples Advantage offers:
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Next day business delivery on Office Products, Copy Paper, and toner cartridges;
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A full line of Eco-Office Products, and the ability to provide 99% of all office needs through "green" solutions; and
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Volume pricing & discounts based on combined purchasing volumes.
Please log on to the members-only section of the website to access this discount.
Chamber News
BC supports seniors with age friendly business guide
VICTORIA - B.C. businesses now have access to a comprehensive guide that provides information
on how to create a business environment that is safe and comfortable for seniors. Creating an
Age-friendly Business in B.C. is a collaborative release between the Ministry of Health and the
BC Chamber of Commerce. The guide is designed to help new and prospective business owners
ensure their businesses are age-friendly.
Read the News Release
Read the Business Guide
BC Chamber of Commerce supports Evergreen Line funding initiative, calls for road pricing
Vancouver, July 6, 2011 - The BC Chamber of Commerce today welcomed the statement from the Provincial
Government and Mayors Council on Regional Transportation announcing their support of the provincial Moving Forward funding plan.
"The Evergreen Line and additional regional transportation infrastructure improvement will be a boon for investment ," said John Winter, President & CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce.
HST Information
HST Deadlines:
- to request a HST voting package: July 22nd
- to submit your HST ballot: Elections BC must receive your ballot by Friday, August 5th
Chamber survey shows business support for HST
July 14, 2011
The majority of Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce members who responded to a recent poll said they will be voting to keep the harmonized sales tax. The Chamber saw 64 per cent of respondents in the membership survey indicate they want to keep the HST in place, about one-quarter of the membership replied to the survey.
Read the full article at BC Local News
A View of the HST From the Tax Trenches
July 6, 2011 - Bruce Hurst, CGA BC
When it comes to understanding the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), British Columbians trust the accounting profession to tell the story. Yet the numbers and economic terms can be confusing, even intimidating.
Read the full article at BC Local News
HST is helping our economy in many ways
July 1, 2011 - Justin Rigsby
The HST referendum is only a few weeks away and there has been much back and forth from both sides. There has been plenty of negativity on Vancouver Island about the HST and a desire to go back to the old PST-GST.
Read the full article at BC Local News
HST Resources
- The BC Chamber now has a full resource page devoted to the HST. Know the facts before mailing in your referendum ballot:www.bcchamber.org/hst.html
- The Smart Tax Alliance has a number of resources online, including testimonials, videos, ask an accountant, information sign up and how to start your own digital campaign at:
http://hstjobs.ca/
Provincial News
Fiscal prudence leads to lower deficit
The Province of British Columbia ended the fiscal year with a smaller deficit than forecast thanks to lower spending and stronger economic growth that improved revenues.
Read the News Release for full details
Softwood lumber exports to China surpass U.S. for first time
Trade figures for May show the value of softwood lumber exported to China has surpassed the U.S., sending powerful signals about the importance of the Asia Pacific markets for British Columbia's economy and job prospects.
BC lumber shipments to China in May 2011 were valued at id=mce_marker22 million compared to the U.S. at id=mce_marker19 million.
Fast-tracking immigrants leads to jobs, investment
The B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides accelerated permanent resident status to qualified workers and entrepreneurs based on labour market and development priorities.
A total of 203 entrepreneurs who received permanent resident status through the program invested over $423 million in British Columbia, creating more than 1,100 jobs .
Pilot project brings opportunity knocking for entrepreneurs
Small business succession is consistently identified as a key issue during Small Business Roundtable consultations. Without a succession plan, small business owners can lose return on their investment and leave the communities where they operate without the services and jobs they depend on.
For island coastal communities, a new pilot project will help them keep established businesses and the jobs they create by assisting business owners in passing on their success to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Premier announces support for shipbuilding job training
The Province is supporting B.C.'s robust shipbuilding industry with a $550,000 investment to develop training strategies for workers within a new industry-led marine training centre.
Programs will include skills development and supervisory training, and an upgrading program . . .
Visitor centres can help you plan your next vacation
Identified by their distinctive blue-and-yellow "i" logo, and located on driving routes throughout the province, B.C.'s 109 community visitor centres provide a wide range of trip-planning services, including visitor guides, activity suggestions, travel tips and accommodation reservations.
More than ever, British Columbians are choosing to stay close to home, taking vacations in BC
National News
Canada, BC support Agricultural and Agri-Product Innovation
British Columbia's agricultural and agri-products sector can increase its competitive edge through funding under a new innovation program to facilitate the development and adoption of innovations in the B.C. agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector.
The Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program is a new initiative funded with up to id=mce_marker.5 million to enable the sector to undertake projects that lead to innovations that will enhance profitability and competitiveness
Canada announces a new approach to address skills shortages
Developing Canada's economy and helping Canadians train for better jobs are priorities for the Government. This is why the Government is taking action to address skills shortages so Canadians can train for jobs in a changing economy. Currently Canada's economic recovery is threatened by a lack of information among employers and workers for the skills needed in the workforce.
The Government is launching an approach that will gather critical information and make it available through the Working in Canada website so that Canadians have a clearer picture of who in Canada is hiring and the skills that are needed.