Key Issue: Healthy Communities

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 […]

Since the wildfires of 2017 & 2018, many BC communities have taken it upon themselves, without provincial assistance, to begin developing strategies for the prevention of wildfires and floods through landscape management programs, and wildfire interface initiatives. This process has included expensive feasibility studies* and stakeholder sessions** to gather facts and options for the communities […]

British Columbia’s framework for disaster management has been severely tested in recent years. The effects of climate change and extreme weather events have had profound impact on our province, and it has become apparent that we collectively must adjust to a new normal of prevention and preparedness to mitigate impacts to the safety, health, and […]

The cultural economy of British Columbia is in trouble. The trouble stems from a dwindling supply of artists, and lack-luster investment in arts education from K-12 and post secondary. Without adequate investment in pre-K-12 and post-secondary art education, businesses are at risk of losing an essential skill: creativity. BACKGROUND The GDP of Culture equalled $48 […]

In 2018, the BC government made a landmark investment to begin addressing the affordability crisis in childcare. Our report shows just how urgently needed those measures are in BC, with Metro Vancouver having ranked among Canada’s most expensive places for childcare last year (alongside Toronto and its suburbs). The BC government has laid the foundation […]

Appropriately administered provincial support for the tree fruit sector is key to continued growth of the sector. The Agriculture Census of 2016 shows the family-owned tree fruit farms in BC generate income of $118.6 million per year; a packed value of $218.8 million; and total economic activity annually of $776.6 million.[1] However, erosion of support, […]

BC Chamber Responds to Defacto Chinook Fishing Closures Coastal businesses say conservation impacts are too small, and the economic costs too high   April 18, 2019, VANCOUVER—On April 16 the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announced new management measures aimed to protect Chinook salmon stock on BC’s Westcoast. While the BC Chamber applauds the […]

In a study done by Vancity,[1] the cost of housing was determined to inhibit young workers from coming or staying in the greater Vancouver region. Similar studies have pointed out that the rise of real estate values is greatly outpacing incomes and the gap is growing. Very few workers receive salary increases of 10-20% per […]

Under the Police Act, municipalities with populations 5,000 and over must provide their own law enforcement by: Forming their own police department; and Contracting with an existing police department; and Contracting with the provincial government for RCMP police services. There are 63 municipalities in BC that contract with the province for RCMP municipal police services. […]

Over the past several months, government-funded needle distribution services have expanded throughout various municipalities.  Services that were originally formed for needle exchange have become needle distribution services.  These distribution services give out sharps to addicts for free and in whatever amount the user requests. Under the terms of the needle distribution contract between the service […]