2010 Policy Successes
- December 10, 2010
$4 Million to Improve Foreign Credential Recognition
The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are supporting a project that will help internationally trained professionals put their knowledge and skills to work sooner.
This success enhances BC's chances of attracting individuals with the skill sets that our industries require. At issue is the nature of our future population demographic, and our ability to improve productivity relative to other modern economies.
Read the BC Chamber Policy Recommendation: Foreign Credential Assessment and Recognition
- October 16, 2010
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Tourism Ministers Make Progress on Tourism Growth and Competitiveness
VANCOUVER - Recognizing the importance of international air transportation for Canada's tourism sector, provincial and territorial tourism ministers collaborated to engage the federal government on their priorities for potential new or expanded air service agreements.
This News Release highlighting the increased discussion of open skies and FCTIP represents a definitive successes for the business community in BC.
- October 14, 2010
Province Celebrates Continued Amtrak 'Cascades' Service
VICTORIA - A one-year extension of the second Amtrak "Cascades" train service to Vancouver is welcome news for cross-border travellers, tourism operators and the economies of both British Columbia and Washington State.
Maintaining a second passenger train between Vancouver and Seattle is a Policy Priority Area for the BC Chamber, and the Chamber has worked hard to ensure that this important link is maintained.
Read the BC Chamber Policy Resolution: Second Vancouver/Seattle Passenger Train (2009)
- September 17, 2010
New Pellet Plant to Use Beetle Wood and Create JobsBURNS LAKE - A new plant near Burns Lake will produce pellets from mountain pine beetle-killed wood and help boost the local economy. Wood pellets are a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels such as coal, and will be made from mountain pine beetle-attacked timber. The estimated 400,000 tonnes per year of wood pellets to be produced at the Burns Lake facility will be exported to European and Asian markets.
Read the BC Chamber Policy Resolution: The Future of the Forest Industry (2010) - Recommendation #2 under "The Interior" section -
September 15, 2010
Canada, BC Help Strengthen Province's Tech Sector
A $1.2-million investment by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will help the British Columbia Technology Industry Association create the Centre4Growth to boost the competitiveness of technology companies. -
August 12, 2010
South Fraser Perimeter Road Agreement Signed
The Province and the Fraser Transportation Group have entered into a design, build, finance and operate agreement for the completion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road Project. - July 29, 2010
Construction Starts at Cancer Centre For The North
The BC Chamber welcomes the announcement of this chronic disease management strategy, which will move residents in Prince George away from episodic treatment to integrated and continuous care.
- June 24, 2010
BC Welcomes Approved Destination Status with China
The Province welcomed the signing in Ottawa of a formal agreement establishing Approved Destination Status (ADS) between China and Canada.
-
June 24, 2010
Diversifying Forest Product Markets
B.C. is investing $9.2 million to promote sales of the province’s forest products in major markets like China, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today
- May 28, 2010
Better Access to Foreign Grads Helps BC
Businesses will gain improved access to highly skilled,
in-demand foreign graduate students with a new
expansion to BC’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
-
May 14, 2010
Western justice ministers will continue to work proactively with the federal government to protect the public from high-risk, serious youth offenders and for improved federal legislation.
Read the News Release
-
April 30, 2010
B.C., Saskatchewan and Alberta launched the New West Partnership, creating an economic powerhouse of nine million people with a combined GDP of more than $550 billion. This comprehensive economic agreement removes remaining barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility.
Read the News Release
-
April 28, 2010
Clean Energy Act to Power BC Growth
The Act is designed to create jobs, increase electrical self-sufficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and protect both B.C. rate payers and the province’s competitive advantage in clean, renewable energy.
-
April 19, 2010
Site C Clean Energy Project Announced
Site C will be the third hydro-electric dam on the Peace River and, once built, is expected to operate for 100 years.
- April 12, 2010
BC Launches Patient-Focused Funding Provincewide - Patients will benefit from more timely, accessible care as British Columbia invests an additional $250 million over the next two years to launch its patient-focused funding model to the 23 largest hospitals across the province, announced Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon.
This initiative is a very important step towards creating sustainability in the provincial Healthcare system.
- April 12, 2010
Environmental Review Process - Environment Canada and the Province of British Columbia have signed an Agreement in Principal which will "avoid the duplication of regulatory measures" which currently exists with Environmental Reviews.
- March 29, 2010
Beijing to use Wood for Six-Storey, Mid-Rise Building - An agreement signed between the governments of China, Canada and British Columbia will further promote and adapt wood-frame technology to meet China’s growing demand for energy-efficient, climate-friendly housing.
Further to the BC Chamber Policy Successes of 2008-2009, this Agreement is a further example of the dividends which are being created from Chamber promotion of export opportunities for BC wood products.
- March 23, 2010
Second train service between Vancouver and Seattle announced, as well as measures to reduce wait times at border crossings.
Read the BC Chamber 2009 Policy Resolution
Read the Provincial News Release
- March 10, 2010
Major Industrial Property Taxation Review Underway
A joint review of major industrial property assessment and taxation has been established between the Province, UBCM, and industry.
The BC Chamber is directly involved in this decision making process by sitting on the Advisory Group, which provides recommendations to the Steering Committee discussed in the News Release above. The Advisory Group is comprised of equal levels of business and local government representatives.
- February 9, 2010
Property Tax Review - The Provincial Throne Speech announced the creation of a joint committee on municipal property tax reform, which will identify specific steps to make property taxes more fair and conducive to investment.
- January 15, 2010
Agreement signed for Cancer Care in the North
The BC Chamber welcomes the announcement of this chronic disease management strategy, which will move residents in Prince George away from episodic treatment to integrated and continuous care.
