Budget 2023 focuses on affordability, but not on business
Today in Victoria, the Government of British Columbia released its 2023 budget that prioritizes spending for important social and community initiatives but comes at the expense of addressing increasing costs facing BC’s businesses and the province’s competitiveness. “While today’s budget focused on affordability and reducing the cost of living, it provided little support to businesses […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Calls on Government to Reduce Costs on Business
In advance of the Government of British Columbia’s release of Budget 2023, expected at the end of February, representatives from the BC Chamber of Commerce are in Victoria today to press for actions to address the cost of doing business in B.C. The meetings with the provincial government, which are taking place during B.C. Chamber […]
Joint business community statement on escalating workers’ compensation system costs
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 […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Hosts 2022 Small Business Week Summit
The BC Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 2022 Small Business Week Summit, Oct. 17-21, where subject matter experts will discuss some of the key issues facing employers and provide practical steps on how small- and medium-sized companies can navigate today’s challenging business environment. “Small businesses are the economic backbone of communities across British Columbia, […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Statement on BCGEU Labour Action and Contract Negotiations
VANCOUVER, B.C., August 24, 2022 — Further to the open letter signed by 18 hospitality and business associations in response to the British Columbia General Employees’ Union’s (BCGEU) labour action and contract negotiations with the Government of B.C., Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement: “The labour […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Releases 2022-2023 Policy and Positions Manual
The BC Chamber of Commerce (the BC Chamber) today released its Focusing Forward, 2022-2023 Policy and Positions Manual (Focusing Forward), which contains 55 policy statements and positions adopted by members at the provincial association’s 70th Annual General Meeting and Conference on June 7-9, 2022, in Prince George and online. The policies contained in the manual […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Responds to BC Budget 2022
The provincial government today unveiled its 2022 budget that reflects its plans to support priorities such as childcare, homelessness and mental health, reconciliation, and the continued transition to a low carbon economy. “The budget provides significant resources to support inclusive and clean growth as outlined in the government’s economic plan of last week,” said Fiona […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Chamber of Commerce Week
The BC Chamber of Commerce, along with chambers of commerce and boards of trade across B.C., is celebrating Chamber of Commerce Week in British Columbia, February 14-18. Once again, the majority of this year’s celebration will be held virtually due to the pandemic. “This week, we are celebrating the chambers of commerce and boards of […]
Study shows Teck’s Elk Valley Operations sustain over 30,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in revenues annually to 3 levels of government
An economic study released today by the BC Chamber of Commerce, the United Steelworkers and Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.A and TECK.B, NYSE: TECK) (“Teck”), Economic Contribution Analysis of Mining Operations in the Elk Valley shows steelmaking coal operations in BC’s Elk Valley make up 80% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the region, sustain […]
Cannabis Working Group Releases Policy Recommendations, Call for Updates to Maximize Industry’s Potential
Today, the BC Chamber of Commerce Cannabis Working Group (Working Group) released Unlocking BC’s Cannabis Industry. The report provides a comprehensive set of recommendations to help build up the legal cannabis industry, improve the province’s economic competitiveness and diversify the economy. “Implementing the Working Group’s recommendations will unlock billions of dollars in private sector investment,” […]