News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - January 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 |
Update on the DMO ProcessIn January the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) released a Green Paper addressing the funding and structure of BC’s Destination Marketing Network. This discussion presented the preliminary conclusions on a new funding structure and sought feedback from key tourism stakeholders. In response, the BC Chamber brought together Member Chambers with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) in their communities for consultation through a series of conference calls. Out of this process a set of policy proposals were established that the Chamber will be moving forward with through direct representation to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.. Read the Green paper and two resulting memoranda For more information please contact: Jon Garson Taxes Lowered for Rural Recreational Accommodation PropertiesThe Province has announced that portions of wilderness camps, fishing resorts and guide outfitter camps will be taxed as recreational properties. These locations were previously taxed as business properties, the change representing a significant rate reduction. Read the BC Chamber Policy Position “Stemming the Loss of BC’s Campgrounds” which identified taxes as a significant trend relating to the decline of the campground sector. Read the Provincial News Release |
Chamber News |
What’s new @ bcchamber.org
AGM 2010 – May 27-29, 2009The BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting & Conference is in its 58th year in 2010, and for the very first time ever is being held in Vancouver. May 27th through 29th, 2010, join the BC Chamber of Commerce at this fantastic members-only event at the Vancouver Convention Centre, featuring fascinating guest speakers, engaging panels, and lively policy debates. The BC Chamber will be hosting the province’s business community at the extraordinary new Vancouver Convention Centre, making this an AGM you won’t want to miss. For information on sponsoring the AGM & Conference, please contact: Denise C. Douglas T 604-638-8112 Canada Hockey House Exclusive Member Chambers OfferCanada Hockey House is a premium hospitality venue located across the street from GM Place for the upcoming Vancouver Olympic Games. VISION Co., in partnership with Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has put together an exclusive offer for BC Chamber Members. In addition to all of the features of the Fan Zone Pass (as found on the attachment), Members would also receive:
See the offer in the ‘What’s New’ section of the Member’s Only home page, or on the Vision website For more information, or to place an order directly, please contact: Jacob Barnes New and Improved program with Esso Direct DriverBillingThe BC Chamber is pleased to announce changes to the Esso Direct DriverBilling Program to all members. The discount is now 3.0 cent per litre discount off of fuel purchased at any Esso-branded service station For Member Chambers, there is a new flyer to use in promotion of the program to your members, as well as new program application form. Both the flyer and application form are on the Chamber web site in the members only section. Over the next couple of weeks Shell will change the discount for all members currently on the program. If you have questions about the program, please contact the Chamber office at: 604.683.0700 Taseko Mines Ltd. received environmental assessment for Prosperity Gold-Copper ProjectThe BC Chamber would like to congratulate Taseko Mines Ltd. on this crucial first step towards beginning operation south of Williams Lake. The mine has the potential to provide hundreds of jobs, and to generate substantial revenues, for both the local and provincial economy. Read the Provincial Announcement Amendments to the British Columbia Lobbyist Registration ActChanges to B.C.’s Lobbyists Registration Act (“LRA”) come into force April 1, 2010. The BC Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists will embark on a province-wide education plan to advise lobbyists and organizations of these changes.
For more information please contact: Mary Carlson P 250-356-0849 For a detailed description of the planned changes please refer to this bulletin. Fraud Alert Announcement A chamber of commerce in Ontario has discovered a scam that is currently going around which you may wish to beware of: An ISO is doing phone solicitation regarding merchant accounts saying that they have the support of the "XXX chamber of commerce" or "chamber group" and want to offer a better program etc. ... and in so doing is asking for merchant information that in no way should be shared with third parties. It is good practice for your members to remember that they should not provide information like this over the phone or submit any documents (merchant or bank statements) to an entity that is unknown to them. |
Provincial News |
B.C. and Small Business Step Up Battle Against Red TapeVICTORIA – The Province is congratulating the Canadian Federation of Independent Business on the success of “Red Tape Awareness Week”, and is enhancing its consultations with small businesses to reduce unnecessary regulations even further. Expanding red tape consultations with B.C. businesses . . . Premiers Statement on the One-Month Countdown to the OlympicsVANCOUVER – Premier Gordon Campbell has issued a statement to mark the one-month countdown to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. We’ll leverage the worldwide exposure B.C. will receive . . . Vancouver 2010 Games: Getting where you need to goAs everyone in the Lower Mainland is by now aware, transportation during the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Games will require adaptation and cooperation from everyone in the area. If you are worried about transportation during the games, or have questions about if and how you will need to change your travel routines, visit http://travelsmart2010.ca/ for everything you need to know. Income tax savings for businesses and familiesVICTORIA – Individual British Columbians earning up to $118,000 will pay the lowest provincial personal income taxes in Canada as a result of new personal income tax measures that come into effect on Jan. 1, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced. Saving small businesses approximately $20 million in 2010 . . . Province Launches Review of Society ActVICTORIA – The Province is embarking on a review of British Columbia’s Society Act to modernize and update the statute for the registration and governance of not-for-profit organizations in B.C. The review will address two fundamental structural questions Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Regulation EnactedVICTORIA – The Province is continuing its leadership in reducing the environmental impact of transportation fuels through the enactment of the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation. A market-based approach to achieving emission reductions AAA Credit Rating Affirmed for ProvinceVICTORIA – Standard & Poor’s has affirmed the Province of British Columbia’s credit rating at AAA, the highest possible, noting the Province’s debt reduction has given B.C. an increased capacity to respond to the global recession Good cash and investment balances coupled with |
National News |
Bank of Canada Business outlook surveyRead the full business survey here Mining executives expect substantial recovery in the industry in 2010Mining Recruitment Group surveyed executives from 74 companies, with several from British Columbia, finding that 70 per cent expect the industry to improve from 2009. |