News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - April 2009 Issue
Contents |
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BC Chamber in the Headlines |
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Policy Successes |
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Chamber News |
57th Annual General Meeting and ConferenceThe BC Chamber of Commerce 57th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Prince Rupert is fast approaching! Visit the Members Only section of the Chamber website to find all the details you need to plan your attendance. Important Session Updates This year’s AGM will see the return of a delegate favourite: an open-mic forum where members are invited to share their ideas and learn from others. The session, titled “Inspired! A Forum for Creative Chamber Solutions,” will be held on Saturday morning. Friday morning will also feature an exciting and informative panel discussion on options for green and sustainable energy. For the most up to date program information, check the Members Only section. Membership Profile Study 2008The BC Chamber of Commerce has released the results of its 2008 Membership Profile Study. The results are available in electronic format for download (PDF) on the Chamber’s website here. |
Provincial News |
BC Election Officially BeginsThe Legislature was dissolved and BC political parties officially launched their election campaigns on Tuesday, April 14th. The BC Chamber of Commerce will be providing supporting materials to Chambers with regards to the election shortly. You can view the parties’ election platforms online: If you have any questions, please contact Jon Garson: jgarson@bcchamber.org Premier’s Technology Council Releases 12th ReportThe Premier’s Technology Council has released its 12th report advising continued development of the three pillars of a knowledge-based society. The three pillars are infrastructure for a knowledge-based society, government services in a knowledge-based society and growing a knowledge-based economy and the Council reports significant progress on all three pillars. For more information about the Council and its reports, click here Province Reports on Progress Made Towards BC Energy PlanThe Province has released an Energy Plan Report on Progress detailing the work that’s been done to date in achieving the goals and targets set out in the BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership released in 2007. The report provides updates on the 55 policy actions outlined in the BC Energy Plan, which focus on the province’s key natural strengths and competitive advantages of clean and renewable sources of energy. For more information, click here Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) Conference in VancouverVancouver’s West End Business Improvement Association is hosting the 2009 Annual Conference for BIABC: Let Your Spirit Soar. This event will explore issues affecting business, from publicizing small businesses and creating safer communities to the Olympics and the environment. Date: May 28-30, 2009 Registrations are available for the full conference or single sessions only. For more information click here. Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC “The Future of Housing” ConferenceThe CHBABC is holding a one day conference, “The Future of Housing” to address this industry and its role as an ongoing economic driver in British Columbia. Date: May 8, 2009 For more information and to register visit www.chbabc.org.
BizPal now in 75 communities across BCBizPal, the online service created to streamline the business permit and licence process for Canadian communities, has been made available to 50 additional communities in the 2008/2009 year, bringing the total to 75 communities whose entrepreneurs, government, and business service providers can access the service. Learn more about BizPal, and find out if it’s in your community by visiting the BizPal site. |
National News |
New Rules for Crossing US Border Effective June 1stEffective June 1, 2009, the United States will require all travelers, including Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States at land or water ports. This same requirement was implemented for air travel in January 2007. Visit the Canada Border Services Agency website for more information on:
The CBSA also offers a range of programs and services. The CBSA office in Vancouver runs several informational sessions including:
For more information contact: Sharon Darlington sharon.darlington@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca Canadian Women’s Foundation “Shelter from the Storm Campaign” running from April 13 to May 10Shelter from the Storm is the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s national campaign to end violence against women. Money raised by the campaign aids women’s shelters and violence prevention programs across the country. Support the campaign by visiting www.shelterfromthestorm.ca and finding out how you can help. Additionally, shop at Winners and HomeSense on May 7th, and percentage of your purchase will be donated to Shelter from the Storm. Use your BMO Mastercard and an additional percentage of whatever you spend will be contributed to the campaign. Tax InformationThe Canadian Revenue Agency has issued a bulletin covering the available online services for managing personal tax information, resources to help complete your return, and their Service Complaints Program. Click here to access the bulletin. Government of Canada speeds up support for business innovation and youth employmentThe Canadian Government has made a special budget allocation to make funds available two months early to the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program. Through the Program, $170 million will be made available to small and medium-sized businesses who are innovators in science and technology. A further $30 million will allow these businesses to hire 1,000 new post-secondary graduates through the NRC-IRAP’s Youth Employment Program. Read the news release here. New funding for student summer employmentCanada Summer Jobs will be receiving an additional $20 million in funding over the next 2 years to help prepare students for the workplace in uncertain economic times. Read the news release here. Trade Mission to Russia Accepting ApplicationsForeign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canada Pacific Russia Trade Centre are recruiting BC Companies to participate in a trade mission to Moscow and Sochi at the end of June, 2009. For more information, contact the Canada Pacific Russia Trade Centre at 604.464.2900 |