MENU
QUICK LINKS
BC Chamber of Commerce
#1201, 750 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T8
T 604.683.0700
F 604.683.0416
E bccc@bcchamber.org
News & Events - Express Newsletter
BC Chamber of Commerce Express Newsletter - February Issue
Contents |
BC Chamber in the HeadlinesPolicy SuccessesChamber News
Provincial News
National News
|
BC Chamber in the Headlines |
|
Policy Successes |
Agreement Signed for Cancer Care in the NorthPRINCE GEORGE – The BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North project took a major step forward with the signing of the final partnership agreement with Plenary Health. The BC Chamber welcomes the announcement of this chronic disease management strategy, which will move residents in Prince George away from episodic treatment to integrated and continuous care. Property Tax ReviewThe Throne Speech which launched the second session of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia announced the creation of a joint committee on municipal property tax reform, which will identify specific steps to make property taxes more conducive to investment and fair, and assure municipal services are fairly provided for all. Read the 2006 BC Chamber Presentation to the Standing Committee in Finance (Fiscal Policy section) which calls for government undertake a fundamental review of the local property tax system in order to establish a system that is fair, equitable and reflects the true cost of service for each taxpayer group. |
Chamber News |
What’s new @ bcchamber.org
Jon Garson Premier and Cabinet Luncheon 2010The deadline for the BC Chamber Premier and Cabinet Luncheon 2010 registration is Friday, February 19, 2010. This is an exclusive opportunity for members to discuss issues of importance with the Premier and Cabinet on March 5, 2010. Complete event details are available on the 2009 Chamber of the Year AwardDo you know a chamber that has provided outstanding service to their business community? Any Chamber member may nominate a Chamber in the province that has demonstrated leadership qualities as the "Voice of Business”. The nomination deadline is March 31. Complete award information is available to download. AGM 2010 – May 27 – 29The BC Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting & Conference is in its 58th year in 2010, and being held in Vancouver for the first time. The BC Chamber will be hosting the province’s business community May 27th through 29th for a fantastic members-only event at the extraordinary new Vancouver Convention Centre. The AGM & Conference features fascinating guest speakers, engaging panels, and lively policy debates. This is an AGM you won’t want to miss. Complete event details, location maps, FAQs and our first AGM newsletter of the year are available on the BC Chamber members-only website in the ‘Members Events’, ‘Annual General Meeting’ section. For information on sponsoring the AGM & Conference, please contact: Denise C. Douglas T 604-638-8112 Supporting the Chamber NetworkIn an ongoing effort to expand the scope and reach of the Chamber Network, the BC Chamber of Commerce will be increasing its presence in the Twitter universe. Being an outstanding medium for member support, Twitter is able to focus immediately on issues that may fall between or outside of the mandate of the Express Newsletter. The BC Chamber would like to extend an invitation to Chamber members to pass along information about events or initiatives you are hosting which benefit business or industry in BC. The BC Chamber will then broadcast these to our Twitter network. LogosThe BC Chamber is reminding members that logos are available on the members-only website, under the grey ‘Resources’ tab. Both the BC Chamber logo and Proud Member buttons are available in a variety of formats and styles. New Record of Employment On-line - Free for businessesService Canada's online Record of Employment Web (ROE Web) is a fast, efficient, and secure method of producing Records of Employment via the Internet. This online reporting method is free to use and will save businesses time and money. ROE Web contains built-in edits which will help businesses provide accurate Record of Employment information with less follow-up from Service Canada. For more information on ROE Web visit the Service Canada website. For information on how to register: Appeals of Tax Assessments or Disallowed RefundsThe revised bulletin describes the steps involved in appealing assessments, including penalties and interest, disallowed refunds, and other determinations issued by the ministry. or request a paper or an electronic copy of this, or any of our publications, by e-mailing: SBRPublications@gov.bc.ca For further tax-related questions, please contact Taxpayer Services in Vancouver at: HST SeminarsThe Canada Revenue Agency is preparing to administer the HST and is offering free information seminars to businesses, designed to help prepare you for a seamless transition to HST.
You can find the seminars servicing most areas across BC on the following websites: Information seminars on HST for BC EnCana Corporation received environmental assessment for its Cabin Gas Plant ProjectThe BC Chamber would like to congratulate EnCana Corp. on completing this first step towards commencing operations. 2010 Freeman Philanthropic Services AwardThe BC Chamber would like to congratulate Telus on being the first Canadian company to receive the annual 2010 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for Outstanding Corporation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals international award. Telus was recognized for unique employee-community partnerships that raise and distribute funds to assist a broad spectrum of recipients across Canada. Comments Invited on BCTS’ Operation Plan for Arrow TSAThe public is invited to review and comment on BC Timber Sales’ operating plan for logging and road building in the Arrow timber supply area and tree farm license 23 until March 17, 2010. Nominate a Child-Care Provider TodayDo you know a skilled child-care professional who is making a positive difference for children and their families in your community? Nominations for the 2010 Child Care Awards of Excellence are now open. All nominations must be received by February 28, 2010. Public Input Invited on Timber Supply ReviewThe Ministry of Forests and Range is inviting public review and comment on a discussion paper released as part of a comprehensive timber supply review of the Prince George timber supply area. The chief forester must determine how much wood can be harvested in each of the province’s 37 timber supply areas and 33 tree farm licences every ten years. |
Provincial News |
Hosting, Ticketing Program Showcases BC to the WorldVICTORIA – The Province released details today of its 2010 Olympic and Paralympic business hosting strategy, which will feature dozens of events and outreach opportunities to promote British Columbia’s core industries, diverse regions and communities, and investment and job-creation potential throughout the province. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity . . . Read the BC Chamber editorial: ‘Ticket to Leveraging the Olympic Legacy’ Throne Speech Focuses on BC’s FutureVICTORIA – The second session of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia was launched today with a speech from the throne that emphasized the steps government will take to propel British Columbia’s Olympic momentum to create jobs, improve the environment and support families with children. 2010 Economic Outlook Stabilizing, But Risks RemainVICTORIA – British Columbia’s economy is stabilizing and is expected to grow 2.9 per cent in 2010, partly due to the effects of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, but the outlook for later years has moderated slightly. Economic Forecast Council outlook for 2010 remains steady . . . Rising Commodity Prices Boost BC Mineral IndustryVANCOUVER – Rising commodity prices signal that 2010 will be a strong year for B.C.’s mineral industry. Mineral exploration activity in B.C. reached $154 million in 2009 with 30 mine development projects submitted to government. We are optimistic that 2010 will be a year of growth . . . Proposed Tax Credit Extension Benefits Mining IndustryVANCOUVER – The Province intends to introduce legislation to provide greater certainty to British Columbia’s mining industry by extending the BC Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit for another three years to 2013. Investments like these are crucial to helping us build strength in the economy . . . Rebates Mean No Tax Increase for Schools and HospitalsVICTORIA – New provincial rebates proposed for qualifying schools, universities, public colleges and hospital authorities will ensure that, on average, these institutions pay no more tax when HST is implemented on July 1, 2010. This is another welcome sign, for the BC Chamber, that the government continues to look at mitigating any negative impact from HST. See the rebates provided to each institution . . . Tax Credits for Film and Interactive Digital MediaVANCOUVER – A proposed new tax credit for digital media, combined with changes to provincial film tax credits, recognizes the convergence of these sectors and supports the continued growth, development and competitiveness of B.C.’s video game and film sectors and the related employment they provide. The planned tax measures include . . . BC Takes Over Local Delivery of Agriculture ProgramsWINFIELD – The Governments of Canada and British Columbia announced the AgriStability program will now be delivered provincially by local experts. The transfer will better tailor service to the needs of B.C. farmers . . . Province Announces Transitional Policy for AquacultureVICTORIA – The Province has placed a moratorium on issuing new finfish aquaculture licenses and will no longer be accepting new applications for shellfish aquaculture, following Tuesday’s B.C. Supreme Court ruling. We are laying the foundation for a more efficient aquaculture management system . . . BC Rail Brought into GovernmentVICTORIA – The Province is moving the operations and management of the British Columbia Railway Company (BCRC) into the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, reducing administrative costs and ensuring maximum value for taxpayer dollars. BCRC has generated close to $1.5 billion . . . Pacific Leaders Take ActionVANCOUVER, B.C. – Leaders from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington have signed onto a series of joint actions that will help create jobs and strengthen the Pacific Coast economy. |
National News |
Monetary Policy ReportThe Bank of Canada's Monetary Policy Report was released on Thursday, 21 January 2010. Government of Canada Takes Action to Strengthen Housing FinancingOttawa – Canada announced a number of measured steps to support the long-term stability of Canada's housing market and continue to encourage home ownership for Canadians. The rules were adjusted as follows . . . Government of Canada supports employers and workers of the Asia-Pacific GatewayVANCOUVER —A new research project for the Asia-Pacific Gateway will help ensure that Canada has the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Asia-Pacific Gateway is vital to Canada’s future economic prosperity . . . Canadian Entrepreneurs can Reignite their Business with a Long-term PlanThe January edition of BDC's eProfit$ newsletter aims to inspire entrepreneurs to gear up for growth. Employment Insurance extension to self-employed Canadians comes into effectAs of January 31, self-employed Canadians are able to register for the Employment Insurance (EI) program, which will extend to them maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits, collectively called special benefits. Represents one of the most significant enhancements . . . Canada and United States Reach Agreement on Buy AmericanCanada and the United States have reached an agreement that would allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). Read the BC Chamber news release Final Agreement Initialled By Yale First Nation, B.C. And CanadaThe Chief Negotiators of Yale First Nation, British Columbia and Canada today initialled the Yale Final Agreement, marking a significant step forward in bringing certainty and economic prosperity to the community. |