Insight Newsletter
September 2011 Issue (Plain Text Version)
Table of Contents
BC Chamber in the Headlines
August 26, 2011
BC chooses to scrap the HST – News 1130
John Winter with the BC Chamber of Commerce speaks live on News1130 after it was announced the HST is being scrapped.August 26, 2011
B.C. votes 55% to scrap HST – CBC News
“[C]ertainly it's going to have a profound impact on the economy of this province and the time it's going to take over the next 18 months to revert back to the situation with the PST and GST combination and items that were subject to taxation under the provincial scheme, it's going to be a very long period of uncertainty,” said John Winter, President & CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce.August 27, 2011
Tax debate not over with death of HST, say business groups – CTV BC
"The B.C. government, I think, has got now to sit down with business and all stakeholders and perhaps develop a Son-of-HST version that is a [fair] consumption tax," said B.C. Chamber of Commerce President John Winter.August 31, 2011
Chamber calls for dialogue on new and improved PST – Langley Times
“While disappointed over the impending removal of the HST, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce is looking ahead to support a new and improved PST that could include some of the efficiencies and competitiveness of the HST model.”
Upcoming EventsBreakfast with Minister of Finance Kevin Falcon
September 27, 2011
Minister Falcon will address the result of the HST referendum and how the timing of returning to the PST/GST will impact BC's economy going forward. This will include a discussion of how the provincial government will address the business impacts of this return and BC's new debt load.
Information & Registration
Premier & Cabinet Luncheon 2011October 14, 2011
Discuss issues of importance to your business and community with the Premier and members of her Cabinet. Sit with the Minister or Parliamentary Secretary of your choice. You must be a Chamber of Commerce member to attend this event.
What’s new @ bcchamber.orgNew Benefit Provider: Chamber Master
The BC Chamber of Commerce has partnered with ChamberMaster to give both new and existing Chamber members 10% off of their monthly fees for all ChamberMaster products and services.
ChamberMaster is the leading member management software solution for over 1,000 Chambers of Commerce and other membership-based associations. They provide an easy-to-use web-based management system that improves efficiency and effectiveness of Chambers and associations.
New Benefit Provider: Chamber Learning NetworkIn collaboration with the BC Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Learning Network™ is currently partnering with local chambers across British Columbia to offer member businesses online training at a discounted rate. The Chamber Learning Network™ is currently delivering 4,000 different workplace-training courses and over 1,000 instructional videos online.
Chamber NewsSurvey Results: How rising costs are impacting business owners
The American Express Small Business Monitor Survey examined how rising costs and expense management is impacting business owners. The survey revealed that small business owners respond to inflation by protecting their customers and employees. Moreover, small business owners find significant value in investing in customer and employee loyalty over short-term financial gain.
Canadian Forces (CF) Appreciation ProgramA new program recently launched for the Canadian Forces supports men and women returning from missions abroad with significant buying power for attractive products and businesses.
Through a website portal, the CF Appreciation Program allows CF members to access discounts on goods and services across Canada as well as access to 3500 properties in 80 countries around the world. For more information or to get your business involved please visit the website.
Social Enterprise Survey for BusinessesResearchers at the University of Calgary are conducting an online survey to understand and examine the perceptions of business people regarding competitiveness, values, social mission, and impacts.
If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or work in a for-profit business, you are invited to complete this survey. Click here to access the online survey.
Provincial NewsBC Ministry of Finance Releases First Quarterly Report
The September 2011 First Quarterly Report highlights several economic indicators and trends for BC.
BC's exports surge 14 per cent in first half of 2011VICTORIA - Led by strong gains to Asia and Europe, British Columbia's exports for the first half of 2011 are up by nearly 14 per cent compared with first six months of 2010, and were worth $15.9 billion, compared with $14 billion last year.
Solid growth is being recorded in exports of forestry products, industrial goods and energy products, along with gains in agricultural and fishing products, machinery and equipment and automotive products.
Read the News Release
Read the StatsCan Report: Canadian International Merchandise Trade
Strong BC job growth and labour demand projectedVICTORIA - A new provincial government report predicts the number of skilled workers needed will exceed the supply of workers available by 2016.
The second annual Labour Market Outlook 2010-2020 report anticipates one million job openings in B.C. by 2020. One-third of the jobs available will result from the province's economic growth, while two-thirds are spurred on by retirements and the aging workforce.
Federal NewsBC and other Canadian exports now flying direct to China
VANCOUVER — B.C. and other Canadian exports are finding new markets for their products in China through the new China Southern Airlines (CSA) cargo service from Vancouver International Airport to Shanghai. CSA chose Vancouver because of the great export potential through Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and already has steady business.
Minister of Finance consults with small-business leadersThe Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, accompanied by Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, today hosted a roundtable with a number of local small-business people to seek their views and suggestions concerning the general economic direction of the country.
