News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - March 2009 Issue
Contents |
BC Chamber in the HeadlinesChamber News
Provincial News
National News
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BC Chamber in the Headlines |
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Chamber News |
AGM & Conference Early Bird Registration Ends March 27, 2009Register for the BC Chamber of Commerce 57th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Prince Rupert before March 27th to qualify for Early Bird prices! Early Bird Delegates save up to $75 on registration fees. To register, download a registration form from the Members Only Event Information section, or contact the BC Chamber of Commerce office: 604.683.0700 Premier & Cabinet Luncheon 2009: Premier Gordon Campbell raises a sold-out crowd to their feetThe BC Chamber of Commerce Premier & Cabinet Luncheon 2009 was a huge success, and one of the best Luncheons to date. Thanks to all Member Chamber representatives and Corporate Members who attended, and thanks especially to the Premier and Cabinet Ministers who took time out of their busy schedules to meet with the BC Chamber of Commerce membership. The Luncheon was preceded by a networking reception, and followed by a rousing presentation by Premier Gordon Campbell which incited a standing ovation from the audience. You can browse photos from the even in our online Photo Gallery. |
Provincial News |
Province Delays Recognition and Reconciliation ActThe Provincial Government, in response to concerns voiced by individuals and organizations including the BC Chamber of Commerce, has delayed the tabling of the Recognition and Reconciliation act until after the election in May. The Chamber is relieved that the government has recognized that such a far-reaching piece of legislation should be given all due consideration and input from provincial stakeholders, and that these busy weeks prior to a provincial campaign cannot afford it the time that is necessary to do so. Read the joint statement on the Recognition and Reconciliation Act here. Bill 9 – BC is first to pull down labour mobility barriersThe BC Chamber of Commerce was very pleased to hear that, on March 12, 2009, the Provincial Government announced legislation making BC the first province in Canada to introduce legislation to allowing full labour mobility to all trades and professions. A further extension of the leadership role BC and Alberta are playing, as evidenced by TILMA, on reducing trade barriers in Canada, this legislation will allow a person certified in any Canadian jurisdiction to be recognized and able to practice their profession in any other Canadian jurisdiction. The new national AIT further aids BC to attract, and quickly employ those workers who will be needed to fill the province’s skills gap. Bill 9 is yet another proactive step for the Provincial Government, who continues to show national leadership on the issue of labour mobility in Canada. For more information, please visit www.aved.gov.bc.ca/labourmobility/. Working Roundtable on Forestry ReportThe Working Roundtable on Forestry released its report at the beginning of March, listing 6 priorities and 29 recommendations to uphold those priorities which they say will promote a vibrant, sustainable, and globally competitive forest industry. The BC Chamber of Commerce, however, is concerned that this may not be the case. The Chamber is still reviewing the document, but its initial impression is that the report lacks the vision and leadership that are required to address the fundamental challenges facing the industry. You can download a copy (pdf) of this report here. You can also read the Provincial Government's news release and backgrounder listing the priorities and recommendations. If you have any questions about this report and the Chamber’s opinion, please contact Jon Garson: Ministry of Finance – Notice to BusinessesThe Ministry of Finance has posted a Notice to Businesses on their website regarding PST on Administrative Materials. This notice clarifies how PST applies to administrative materials sent into or out of British Columbia. You can access this document here, or request additional paper copies by e-mailing SBRPublications@gov.bc.ca Downsizing? Work sharing may help you to avoid job lossesFacing difficult times? When a company faces difficulty beyond its control and is forced to cut back production, it may have only two courses of action. It can either lay off employees temporarily or make an agreement with the affected employees to participate in a Work-Sharing arrangement. What is a Work-Sharing Agreement? Work-Sharing is an Employment Insurance (EI) program that enables employers to face cutbacks and still avoid layoffs. The program enables this by shortening the work week by one to three days and paying reduced wages accordingly. For the hours, days, or shifts not worked, Service Canada arranges for EI eligible employees to draw benefits, to help compensate them for the lower wages received from their employer. Win-Win situation Work-Sharing benefits employees:
Work-Sharing benefits employers:
Working together Management and employees must agree to participate in Work-Sharing. To be eligible, an employer must have been in business in Canada for at least two years. The company must also be able to show that the need for reduced hours is temporary and unavoidable, and is not a seasonal situation. Other conditions apply. A temporary measure Agreements can range from 6 to 26 weeks with an extension of up to a maximum of 38 weeks. However, the 2009 federal budget will extend, over the next two years, work-sharing agreements by 14 weeks, to a maximum of 52 weeks, and will increase access through greater flexibility in the qualifying criteria and streamlining processes for employers. For more information: The Service Canada web site provides more information about terms and conditions for the program as well as forms to be filled out: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/epb/sid/cia/grants/ws/desc_ws.shtml To find the nearest Service Canada Centre: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/gateways/where_you_live/menu.shtml ICBC Lowers Rates in 2009ICBC is reducing optional rates by three percent and basic rates are expected to remain the same in 2009. This means customers who have purchased the same basic and optional policies from ICBC over the last five years have, on average, seen their premiums go down. For full details view the news release and information bulletin posted to www.icbc.com. VANOC Releases Transportation PlanThe Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has released the first phase of the integrated transportation plan for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games created by the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT). There will be information for businesses that will be affected by the Olympics released later this year. You can learn more about the plan on VANOC’s website: www.vancouver2010.com TransLink also has suggestions for businesses planning for the Olympics on their website: www.translink.ca/Transportation_Services/TheWay_to_2010/Business.asp BC Communities compete to be GamesTown 2010BC communities have a chance to be named GamesTown 2010 and win a $100,000 gold medal prize by demonstrating their Olympic and healthy-living spirit. There are gold, silver and bronze medal cash awards to be won and put towards upgrading a local sports, fitness or healthy living facility. Community residents are encouraged to post comments, stories, photos and videos on the GamesTown 2010 website that show why their community should win the title. To find out more, visit www.GamesTown2010.ca. |
National News |
Evergreen Line Project Office OpeningConstruction of the Evergreen Line, which will link Burnaby and Coquitlam with an 11-km route, is taking a major step forward with the opening of the Evergreen Line Project Office at the end of February. The project will commence at the end of 2010 and will be completed in 2014. The construction will create and maintain 8,000 jobs over that time span. The project is jointly funded by the Government of Canada (up to $416.7 million), the Government of British Columbia ($410 million) and TransLink ($400 million). The BC Chamber of Commerce has welcomed this project as representing a commitment from all levels of Government to improve British Columbia’s accessibility as a key Gateway to the country. “Our members throughout the province recognize investments in transportation as carrying huge provincial significance, given the integrated nature of the transportation network, and BC’s role as the Gateway to Asia Pacific,” stated John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “Our continued growth as a province, both in terms of population and as a Gateway to Asia Pacific, our ability to move goods, services and people will be greatly enhanced by such a dramatic expansion in public transit.” The Project Office will advance the Evergreen Line Project through design and construction and will provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the project, meet with staff, and give feedback and input as design and construction proceeds. Read the Government of Canada News Release here. Read the BC Chamber of Commerce News Release here. |