News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - February 2009 Issue
Contents |
BC Chamber in the HeadlinesPolicy SuccessesChamber News
Provincial News
National News
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BC Chamber in the Headlines |
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Policy Successes |
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Chamber News |
BC Chamber Throne Speech and Provincial Budget activitiesThe BC Throne Speech will be given at 2:00 pm on Monday February 16th, followed closely on Tuesday, February 17th, by the announcement of the Provincial Budget at 2:30 pm. The BC Chamber of Commerce will be generating several media releases in response to these events, as well as further in-depth reference material for our members. A media release in response to the throne speech is conditional on the contents of the speech. In addition, at 3:15 pm on February 17th, following the release of the Provincial Budget media lockup, the Chamber will be holding a conference call for Member Chambers of Commerce regarding the contents of the budget. Further information will follow. Should you have any questions, please contact Jon Garson: New AGM 2009 InfoThe first 2009 issue of AGM News is in the mail and on its way to all our members. The February issue features great information about our 2009 location, Prince Rupert, speakers, sessions, the conference program, accommodation, and travel arrangements. But that’s not all – the bcchamber.org’s AGM section, and the Members Only “Event Information for Members” section have both been expanded to include all the AGM information you need to know now. These sections will be updated on an ongoing basis; at present you can find the following information there: AGM Event Information for Members section (you must log in to view this information)
And if you just can’t wait to see the AGM Newsletter arrive in the mail, you can download a PDF copy in the Members Only section as well. Chamber of the Year Award NominationsReminder that the deadline for nominations is March 31, 2009. The Chamber of the Year Award criteria are available in the Members Only section of the Chamber website. Any Chamber member may nominate a Chamber in the province that has demonstrated leadership qualities as the "Voice of Business” in their community during the year ending December 31, 2008. If you have any questions regarding the award, please contact Roslyn Castleden: What's new @ bcchamber.orgCareer Opportunities Page – The BC Chamber of Commerce has recently opened up its Career Opportunities page on bcchamber.org to job postings from Member Chambers of Commerce. Employment is tricky terrain these days, for both the hirers and the hunters. The more exposure your available position receives, the more likely it is to attract that perfect applicant. If you would like to make a posting to the Chamber’s career page, email the details, preferably with a PDF description, to Alexis Hoy: ahoy@bcchamber.org |
Provincial News |
$7.1 Million for January oil and gas rights saleThe Provincial Government announced in January that the January 14, 2009, sale of oil and gas land rights in British Columbia generated $7.1 million in bonus bids, bringing the record fiscal year to over $2.39 billion. Read more… The next sale is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2009 and will offer 98 parcels covering 32,639 hectares. Complete results of the sale are posted on the website of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources: www.em.gov.bc.ca/Subwebs/landsale/results/default.htm New $1M skills training program for rural communitiesAt the end of January, 2009, the Provincial Government announced the Return to Work Employability Program, with a $1 million budget for 2008/09, promising to create new employment opportunities for British Columbians, providing them with the opportunity to obtain skills that today’s employers are seeking. Read more ... Chamber currently reviewing NDP’s BC Green Bond planThe BC NDP have announced a BC Green Bond plan, which they say will create a dedicated fund to invest in green infrastructure and technology –they plan to invest the funds to create 15,000 new, green jobs in construction, manufacturing, transportation and service sectors. Read more … The BC Chamber of Commerce is currently reviewing the BC Green Bond plan. If you have any questions about the Chamber’s review of the plan, please contact Jon Garson: 2009 Bottom Line Conference on Workplace Mental Illness and the FamilyThe 2009 Bottom Line Conference on Workplace Mental Illness and the Family will take place March 11, 2009 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. The one-day conference will explore latest research and innovative resources available to enable employers, employees and family members with mental illness to access the help they need. Special attention will be paid to added pressures created by today’s unique economic conditions. For more information visit: http://www.cmha.bc.ca/bl/ Discount on Mountainfest TicketsMountainfest, the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, has extended an offer to local Chambers of Commerce to take advantage of a special offer to save $30 on 4 day general admission tickets. The festival runs July 9 to 12, 2009. This offer expires February 28, 2009, and is not applicable to tickets already purchased. For more information about the festival visit www.mountainfest.com Please note, this information is for use at the discretion of the local Chambers of Commerce in BC. This is not an initiative of the BC Chamber of Commerce. |
National News |
Northern Gateway Pipeline Project Comments InvitedThe Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) invites public comments on the draft agreement, including the terms of reference, to establish a joint review panel (with the National Energy Board) for the environmental review of the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. Written comments on the draft agreement, including the terms of reference, received by April 14, 2009 will be considered. All comments received will be considered public and will be posted on the public registry. Forward your comments, in the official language of your choice, by fax, mail or e-mail to: Brett Maracle Tel.: 1-866-582-1884 The draft agreement, including the terms of reference, as well as additional information on the project is available on the Agency's Web site. Gateway Pipeline Inc. proposes to construct and operate pipelines, 1170 km in length, between an inland terminal near Edmonton, Alberta and a marine terminal near Kitimat, British Columbia. About 500 km of pipeline will be in Alberta and 670 km in British Columbia. The project will include an export oil sands product pipeline, an import condensate pipeline, terminalling facilities, integrated marine infrastructure at tidewater to accommodate loading and unloading of oil and condensate tankers and marine transportation of oil and condensate. Conference Board of Canada needs your inputThe Conference Board of Canada is inviting small and medium-sized businesses across the country to provide their insights on the challenges they face and the opportunities they enjoy. Their online survey entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs) Suppliers in working with Multinational Corporations (MNCs).” seeks to collect input from small or medium-sized (SME) enterprises about:
To access the survey, please click on: The survey will be available until the end of February. Responses are confidential. Data will be reported in aggregate terms and will not be attributed to any individual or organization. Research findings from this study will be published in a final report, Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs in Working with MNCs, which will be made available for free download to all participating organizations. This survey forms part of a Canada-wide research project launched by the Conference Board of Canada’s International Trade and Investment Centre (ITIC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Canada Export Centre’s International Business Network The Canada Export Centre has a special offer for Chamber members who join their International Business Network. Visit: http://canadaexportcentre.com 8th World Sport and Environment ConferenceMarch 29 - 31, 2009 Every two years, the International Olympic Committee in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme hosts a World Conference on Sport and the Environment. This March, the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment will be held in Vancouver, Canada with a theme of 'Innovation and Inspiration' and a subtheme of 'Harnessing the Power of Sport for Change'. The conference will bring together the worlds of sport and environment to share knowledge and advance practices related to sport and its relationship with communities and the environment. The event will also feature an Innovation and Inspiration exposition, showcasing best practices by organizations within the Olympic Family that promote sustainable living. For more information visit: www.wcse2009.com Or contact: 604.775.7300 |