Key Issue: Healthy Communities

The economic environment is increasingly tenuous for many B.C. businesses grappling with rising input costs, a shortage of workers, supply chain disruptions and rising interest rates. B.C. businesses are also concerned the provincial economy is weakening as the global economy shows increasing signs of slowing down. As B.C. businesses struggle to keep costs down for […]

The economic development of any community relies upon its reputation as a safe, viable region in which to locate and do business with supporting infrastructure, community assets, and most importantly, customers willing to walk in the door. However, if customers feel unsafe, they won’t come. If the reputation of a region is suspect, businesses won’t […]

THE SAFEST RESPONSE TO TRADE INDUSTRY OVERDOSES IS RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE The toxic drug supply in BC and overdose deaths has impacted lives and livelihoods of many in BC. There are tools available that could combat these preventable deaths; however, barriers exist for individuals to receive life-saving help. Intranasal Naloxone is a tool used […]

British Columbia’s non-ticketed event industry including but not limited to weddings has shifted and molded to adhere to the everchanging Public Health Orders (PHO’s) implemented by the BC Provincial Government throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. All businesses are struggling through the recovery phase of the pandemic; however, the wedding and event industry in BC has yet […]

Twice a year, in B.C. and in most parts of Canada, Canadians join with approximately 76 other countries around the world and practice Daylight Saving Time (DST). Since 2007, the clocks have moved forward on the second Sunday in March and then moved back on first Sunday of November. In 2007, the B.C. government received […]

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, both the provincial and federal governments have seen, in real time, the importance of domestic bio-manufacturing capacity to produce tests, vaccines and therapeutics to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemics of the future. However, before a test, vaccine or treatment can ever be manufactured, the constituent parts and ingredients must be […]

As Canada and the world emerge from two years of restricted health care access due to Covid and its resultant changes in the numbers of available physicians and senior health care workers, the notion of utilizing Physician Assistants/Physician Extenders makes more sense than ever. Physician assistants are educated under the same medical model used to […]

As of January 1, 2022, BC employers are required to provide at least 5 days of paid illness or injury leave, otherwise known as ‘sick leave’ to all employees. This new employer obligation, while laudable in its aim to support workers and protect workplaces, represents an unnecessary intrusion by the government into the employer-employee relationship, […]

In response to today’s announcement by the Government of B.C. that it is co-funding the establishment of a new Centre for Agri-Tech Innovation with the Government of Canada, Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement: “The BC Chamber of Commerce welcomes today’s announcement that the new Centre […]

The following associations are surprised by the introduction of amendments to Bill 10 by the BC government, which proposes substantive change to the Labour Relations Code without any meaningful consultation with employers, and at a time when many businesses are still reeling from the pandemic. The right to choose union representation is guaranteed through legislation. […]