News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - September 2009 Issue
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BC Chamber in the Headlines |
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Policy Success |
PM announces Canada's investment in Northwest Transmission LinePrime Minister Stephen Harper has announced funding for the construction of the Northwest Transmission Line in northern British Columbia, which could eventually connect with Alaska. The project could advance a potential connection between southeast Alaska and the North American transmission grid via British Columbia. Read more ... Province Announces More Improvements to Highway 97Paving is set to begin this month on three sections of Highway 97 between Clinton and 100 Mile House. A $3.8-million paving contract has been awarded to Okanagan Aggregates Ltd. to complete the four-laning of three sections of the highway this fall. Read more… |
Chamber News |
Quesnel Chamber Manager Named Executive of the YearCoralee Oakes, Manager of the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce was recognized by her peers with the Gerry Frederick Memorial Executive of the Year Award at the British Columbia Chamber Executives (BCCE) AGM and Conference held in Summerland, September 10th – 12th, 2009. The award is presented annually to a chamber executive who has made a difference in their community, fostered membership growth in the chamber and has been willing to take risks to achieve change. The award also recognizes an executive who has served as a champion of the chamber network, as a mentor to new executives and deemed to be a leader by their peers and their chamber. “Coralee Oakes is all of these and more,” said Deb McClelland, BCCE President. “She has been a champion within the Chamber network serving as President of BCCE, on the Board of Directors of the BC Chamber of Commerce and working with the Ministry to foster stronger relations for the Visitor Centre network. She has worked on behalf of small business in Quesnel and for all of British Columbia serving on the Minister’s Small Business Roundtable. Her leadership is extraordinary,” added McClelland. Supported by Keith Brooks, President of the Quesnel and District Chamber and fellow city council members, her colleagues were quoted as saying Coralee is “approachable and inclusive, a strong team leader and strong team player, a can-do person always willing to help and like a dog with a bone when there is an issue to pursue.” Upcoming: Cabinet Ministers Breakfast SeriesSeptember 18th, 2009 – with Hon. Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier, and special guest Premier Gordon Campbell. Click here for details. October 20th, 2009 – with Hon. Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Click here for details. What’s new @bcchamber.org
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Provincial News |
Budget 2010 Public ConsultationThe Province has released its 2010 Budget Consultation Paper, and the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will be conducting public consultations into the province’s 2010 budget priorities in September and October. These dates should be available shortly on the committee’s website. The BC Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages each Chamber of Commerce to submit its recommendations to the Standing Committee. The BC Chamber will be making a presentation of its recommendations, which will be made available to the membership in the near future, along with materials to support Chambers’ participation. This year, the Province will not be mailing the consultation paper to every household in order to save on costs of printing and distribution. The paper is available online (see link to PDF below), and more information as well as an online response form can be found here. Budget 2010 Consultation Paper (PDF) September Budget Update 2009 – Tax Change SummaryAs part of the 2009 Budget Update, announced earlier this month, Finance Minister Colin Hansen introduced changes to provincial taxation legislation. In response, the Ministry of Finance has issued a notice September Budget Update 2009 – Tax Change Summary, which is available online at www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/msbr/budget/budget.htm. This notice includes information on changes to the carbon tax, the motor fuel tax, the provincial sales tax, the corporation income tax and the personal income tax. If you have questions regarding any of the budget changes you can contact Taxpayer Services by phone at 604.660.4524, toll-free at 1.877.388.4440 or by email at CTBTaxQuestions@gov.bc.ca 2009 British Columbia International Open Skies SummitSeptember 25, 2009 – Vancouver Convention Centre The Province is holding an Open Skies Summit this month in Vancouver, bringing together leaders in government, business, industry, and academia to discuss issues and opportunities for British Columbia and Open Skies. To learn more and to register, visit www.openskiessummit.ca VANOC’s Employee Loan ProgramThe Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has launched an Employee Loan Program to fill its remaining 1,500 short-term jobs. Partnering organizations can have their employees take on a role with VANOC, and in turn, the employee brings the valuable work experience back to the organization once the OIympics have concluded. To find out more, read the VANOC news release… |
National News |
Small Business Week 2009Originally created by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to provide business management training sessions, the annual Small Business Week 2009 will be held from October 18th to 24th across Canada. This year’s theme is “your dream, your business, your passion.” For more information click here. How will you be celebrating Small Business Week? We’d like to know! Email ahoy@bcchamber.org with your plans. Canada and British Columbia partner to help older workers get jobsThe governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to help older workers remain active in the workforce by jointly investing over $30 million and extending the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers until March 2012. They promise to help up to 3,000 unemployed older workers in British Columbia acquire new skills and find jobs. The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative designed to help unemployed older workers living in communities affected by high unemployment and/or downsizing. Through the Initiative, these individuals can get the skills they need to find and keep new jobs, or start their own business. Read more… |