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BC Chamber of Commerce Supports Proposed Changes to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The BC Chamber of Commerce has voiced its support of the federal government’s amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act – amendments which will help significantly to reduce the current backlog of almost 900,000 applications, and to increase the rate at which workers with important skill sets are admitted to the country.
In March, Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty, tabled legislation to implement key measures from Budget 2008. Among these measures was a promise to:
“Modernize the immigration system with a $22 million investment over two years, growing to $37 million per year by 2012/13, including legislation to speed up the processing of permanent resident applications, ensuring shorter wait times and making Canada’s immigration system more competitive.”
This modernization process is to include greater flexibility for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers. Anyone would still be able to apply, but CIC would no longer be required to process all new skilled worker applications. In addition, the Minister would have the authority to issue instructions to immigration officers related to the processing of applications, so that, for example, people with skills and experience which correspond to jobs available in Canada could be brought in more quickly. In proposing these measures, the government has ensured that our commitments to refugees and family reunification will not be affected.
The changes would apply to all immigration applications received after February 27, 2008. Any ministerial instructions issued to prioritize and process these applications would be required to adhere to a set of principles which would ensure fairness and transparency. These principles include gathering input from provinces and territories to identify priority occupations; complying with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and publishing the instructions in the Canada Gazette, and CIC’s annual report.
With immigration expected to account for 100% of the net growth in our country’s labour force by 2012, the proposed legislative changes come none too soon. They will ensure that Canada receives the skilled workers it needs, when they are needed. The BC Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see the federal government’s priorities have shifted to address the economic imperative created by the current skills shortage.
For more information on CIC’s programs, visit www.cic.gc.ca
Policy Success: BC Government Announces $1 Million to Improve Credential Recognition Program
At the end of March, Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced $1 million in funding to improve international credential recognition programs in BC.
The funding, as part of a $3.1 million contribution from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program, is in line with the BC Chamber of Commerce’s Citizenship and Immigration Policy which recommends that the government, “introduce a fast track credential recognition and assessment process to ensure immigrants can fully utilize their skills.”
The BC government has promised that the extra funding will allow BC regulators of occupations and trades to design new or enhance existing foreign credential assessment and licensing practices.
An Employer’s Guide: Quick Links to Hiring Foreign Workers
The BC Chamber of Commerce recently collaborated with the Government of Canada and the BC Ministry of Economic Development to create An Employer’s Guide: Quick Links to Hiring Foreign Workers, a resource guide outlining the available programs, services and information for small to medium-sized BC businesses who are interested in hiring new immigrants.
Despite the current skills shortages, and shrinking labour pools, skilled immigrants are human resources which are still not being used to their full potential. This guide is one way in which the BC Chamber hopes to address this issue.
To download a full PDF version of the guide, visit: www.bcchamber.org or click here.
Trouble finding that perfect employee? Get the Edge.
In light of the existing skill shortages in British Columbia, the message of organizations such as Career Edge could not be more welcome.
Career Edge is a national non-profit organization offering paid internship programs to match talented recent graduates, graduates with disabilities, and internationally qualified professionals with the employers who need their skills working for them.
These internships are designed to be mutually beneficial, providing the employers immediate online access to a diverse talent pool, and allowing them to “test the waters,” while the employees gain useful experience applying their skills, and transition smoothly from school, or abroad, to the Canadian workplace.
As such, Career Edge represents an excellent possibility for chambers of commerce and their members who are actively exploring new human resource avenues. To learn more about the programs available from the Career Edge organization, visit www.careeredge.ca, or call (604) 601-8521.
For the duration of the current and acute provincial skills shortage, we will continue to include pertinent program information, such as Career Edge, in the Express Newsletters as it arises. Should you have any questions, or suggestions, please forward them to Alexis Hoy at AHoy@bcchamber.org.
“Highly skilled, fully trained and job ready” – Consider Hiring a Member of the Canadian Forces
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a job placement program administered by the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada Centre to encourage employers to consider hiring members of the Canadian Forces who have been medically released.
The purpose of TAP is to aid these members of CF in making the transition to the civilian work place. To this aim, TAP offers benefits not only to the CF members, but to the employers as well. Eligible employers are promised access to “some of the best trained, most qualified and most reliable personnel that are available in Canada,” as well as to a database of proven work records, references, and current training. TAP also provides, with appropriate eligibility, the possibility of training, and relocation of prospective employees at no cost to the employer.
For more information, or to participate, contact the National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada Combined Centre for the Support of Injured and Retired Members and their Families:
Telephone 1.800.883.6094
Fax: 613.996.1493
Click: www.forces.gc.ca/centre/tap
Did You Know? As the Employer of an Apprentice, You May Qualify for Tax Credits
Beginning with the 2007 tax year, employers in British Columbia who employ an apprentice may qualify for up to $12,500 in tax credits as the apprentice progresses through training. The provincial government introduced the British Columbia Training Tax Credit as a way to attract people to apprenticeship programs, and encourage existing apprentices to finish their programs. The tax credit is available to both apprentices, and employers of apprentices enrolled in a Red Seal or other program recognized by the Industry Training Authority.
Those eligible can claim the credit by completing Form T1014-1. Corporations claiming the credit must complete Schedule T2SCH428. To access these forms, visit the Canada Revenue Agency at www.cra.gc.ca, or call 1.800.959.2221.
For more information on apprenticeship programs in BC, visit www.itabc.ca
BC Attracts More Relocating Canadians than Any Other Province or Territory
In 2007, for the first time in over a decade, Alberta did not win bid for most interprovincial migration, according to Statistics Canada. Instead, BC took the lead as the country’s migratory magnet, attracting nearly 13,400 new residents from out of province. This volume was a 31% increase over 2006.
According to WorkBC, the provincial action plan to address shortages, BC must bring in at least 10,000 workers per year from interprovincial migration alone. Another 20,000 are required from other sources, such as immigration.
The BC government can rest easy that, in terms of attracting Canadian citizens, 2007 was a success. “British Columbia’s reputation as a great place for people to live, work and raise a family is spreading across the nation,” said Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen. “We are working to attract skilled workers from across Canada and around the world to meet the needs of our growing economy.”
The Province of BC Assembles the Working Roundtable on Forestry
In mid-January, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that the Province would be appointing a Working Roundtable on Forestry.
In his speech to the 65th Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention, Campbell promised the roundtable will address such issues as global warming, the pine beetle epidemic, and the increasing economic pressures that have come to bear on the forest industry.
“We are going to work with industry, with communities, with labour and with other stakeholders to find mitigation and adaptation strategies that will ensure our forest industry survives and thrives in the decades to come,” he said. “Together we will ensure a strong, vibrant, sustainable forest industry in British Columbia for this generation, and for future generations.’
The roundtable is chaired by Forests & Range Minister Rich Coleman, and lead by vice-chair Dana Hayden. A full list of the Roundtable on Forestry’s membership can be found here: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008FOR0028-000326-Attachment1.htm
In a March 7th news release, the Ministry of Forests and Range listed the following as the roundtable’s key considerations:
The roundtable will also be holding meetings in communities across the province in order to provide the members with the opportunity to hear local concerns and input. A schedule of these meetings will be forthcoming. In the meantime, the roundtable is accepting feedback and questions directed to Forestry.RoundTable@gov.bc.ca. For more information about the roundtable, visit www.gov.bc.ca/mof/Forestry_Roundtable.
BC Government Announces New Regulatory Framework for Oil and Gas
The Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Richard Neufeld, recently announced that the provincial government is establishing the Oil and Gas Activities Act, a new regulatory framework.
Under the new act, the government will consolidate oil and gas regulatory requirements, improve permitting processes, create a new process for appealing decisions of the Oil and Gas Commission, and enhance the latter’s power in dealing with compliance, enforcements, and stakeholder concerns.
“BC’s oil and gas industry has expanded dramatically under this government,” says Neufeld. “This new innovation-ready legislation will support growth in a way that safeguards the environment and demonstrates the Province’s stewardship of our energy resources.”
With this legislation, the government also promises to:
For more information, visit www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca
Upcoming Consultations: How Can Government E-Tendering Services Be Improved?
Public Works and Government Services Canada, through the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, will shortly be conducting consultations with Canadian suppliers. The topics of the consultations focus on the improvement of Government Electronic Tendering Services, and also include the PWGSC websites. PWGSC hopes to learn how suppliers are using these services and how they could be made more efficient and user friendly.
Attendance at the consultation sessions will be by invitation and will include a cross-section of suppliers from different sectors and regions, as well as representatives from industry associations which represent large groups of suppliers, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the questions posed to attendees and comments made are to be posted to the OSME website, and all suppliers are encouraged to provide input at that time. You can find the OSME website here: http://www.pwgsc.gc.ca/acquisitions/text/sme/sme-e.html
Should you have any immediate questions or feedback, you can contact John Johnstone, Chief, Stakeholder Engagement, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, at john.johnstone@pwgsc.gc.ca
“Checklist to a Greener Future” – Conference on Green Building Technologies
The Canadian Home Builder’s Association of BC (CHBABC) is holding a conference this month to highlight the latest trends and technologies in sustainable building, including the Built Green™ BC, “the leading sustainability program in residential construction.”
Built Green ™ is a program which outlines standards for green building practices and provides its members with certification in these standards. Currently, Built Green™ offers certification for new single family homes and row homes.
The CHBABC’s conference, “Checklist to a Greener Future,” is tailored for builders, renovators, government officials, architects, building officials, manufacturers, and suppliers. It is being held at the Pacific Palisades Hotel in Vancouver (1277 Robson Street), on April 30th. Registration begins at 8:00 am and the conference starts at 8:30 am.
For more information, including the conference agenda, fee schedule, or to register, visit www.chbabc.org. For information about the Built Green™ program, visit www.builtgreencanada.ca
Leadership BC Is Changing Faces This Month – by Roslyn Castleden
It is with regret that we are saying good bye this month to David Annis, who has been the Provincial Coordinator of our Leadership BC program for almost three years now. David has tendered his resignation and unfortunately the BC Chamber was forced to accept it on behalf of the Leadership BC Provincial Advisory Council.
When David first agreed to take on the role of Provincial Coordinator it was for the period of a year so we feel very fortunate to have had his experience, expertise and dedication in the position for almost two extra years. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. The program would not be where it is today without his commitment.
David is retiring at the end of the month and all of us at the BC Chamber wish him well in his travels and fishing expeditions.
And, while we are saddened by David’s departure, we are very pleased to welcome Layne Marshal as Provincial Coordinator. Layne has been on the Board of the BC Chamber for the past five years, presently as 2nd Vice Chair, but will not be letting his name stand in our elections in May. Layne has been very supportive of our Leadership BC program and participated in the program through his local Chamber when he was living in the United States. We have no doubt the program will continue to grow and benefit from his extensive experience as a private consultant and active community member.
Welcome Layne.
5th Annual BC Community Achievement Awards Recognize Five of Our Own
The BC Chamber of Commerce was delighted to hear the announcement on the 13th of March that five Chamber of Commerce members are being honoured in this year’s Community Achievement Awards.
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Peggy Chute of Lytton, Evelyn Cutts of Fernie, Ella Fraser of Fort St. John, Bill Hubbs of Granthams Landing, and Ben Roy of Cache Creek. These individuals’ considerable contributions to the vitality and development of their respective communities, including their involvement with their chambers of commerce, have deservedly made them distinguished members, not only of their own communities, but of the provincial community at large.
The award recipients will be recognized at a formal presentation at Government House in Victoria on April 23rd. Each recipient will be receiving a certificate and a medallion designed by BC Artist Robert Davidson.
Be Aware of Road Closures Affecting Highway 99 During the AGM
It has been brought to our attention that there will be some road closures during the time of the AGM. Please be alert of the following:
Highway 99 will be scheduled to close weekdays from midnight to 2am and again from 3 to 5am. In emergencies the highway might close at 10pm. During the day, delegates should expect delays that add up to 30 minutes for the overall trip between West Vancouver and Whistler. No scheduled closures on the weekends. For more info, check here:
http://projects.ch2m.com/TrafficUpdate/closure-delay-windows.htm
If you are planning to attend the AGM, please bookmark the above link and refer to it frequently to monitor any changes which could affect your travel plans. You can also call the Public Information line at 1.877. 472.3399. It is also important for those of you planning to travel to Whistler in the late evening to clarify with the airline or the bus service that you choose what they should expect your arrival time to be. In some cases those planning on taking a Greyhound bus, for example, may not have the option of traveling on a late night departure as the highway may already be closed.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the articles contained in this issue, or if you have any content you would like to see included in a future issue of Express, please feel free to contact:
Alexis Hoy
Communications Coordinator
BC Chamber of Commerce
T 604.683.8114
E AHoy@bcchamber.org
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