BC Chamber of Commerce Applauds Meat Licensing Changes and Increased Access for Local Products
Changes made last month by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to streamline and improve the meat licensing regulations is welcome news for the BC Chamber of Commerce. Last month, the ministry announced a series of changes that will make significant improvements for local operators who focus on production and processing of livestock raised […]
BC Chamber Supports Regional Health Measures Implemented in Central Okanagan to Contain COVID-19 Outbreak
Yesterday, Interior Health announced that due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the central Okanagan, a regional mandatory mask order for all public indoor spaces will be effective Thursday July 29, 2021, at 12:00am. The order applies to individuals older than 12 years of age in the central Okanagan communities of Kelowna and Lake […]
BC Chamber Survey Shows Strong Optimism from Businesses, Workforce Support Next Hurdle
The recent, and final, COVID-19 Pulse Check survey conducted by the BC Chamber of Commerce revealed that businesses are hopeful about the future with 60 percent of respondents saying they are optimistic or very optimistic about the next 12 months. However, while BC’s Restart Plan is well underway with COVID-19 restrictions easing, businesses continue to […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Launches Seven Regional Resource Guides to Support Small Business in BC’s Restart Plan
Today, the BC Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the provincial government’s Sector Labour Market Partnership Program (SLMP) and with funding provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, launched seven regional Resource Guides for Small Business Resiliency. The Resource Guides are tailor-made to support businesses in each of the seven economic regions […]
BC Chamber Welcomes Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, Calls for Patience as People and Businesses Transition
Yesterday, the provincial government announced that the province of British Columbia will move to Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan at 12:00am PDT on Thursday, July 1, 2021. The news comes following confirmation that the criteria for moving to Step 3 i.e. at least 70% of the 18+ population has been vaccinated with dose 1, […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Federal Government’s $5.5million investment in Shop Local Campaign in B.C.
The BC Chamber of Commerce welcomes the announcement made by the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Digital Government and M.P. for Vancouver Quadra, on June 24, 2021, that funding of up to $5.5 million is ear-marked for British Columbia as part of a national Shop Local initiative designed to encourage people to shop locally and […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Policy Win as Provincial Government Launches Home Delivery for Non-Medical Cannabis Products
The BC Chamber of Commerce, together with BC Chamber Cannabis Working Group, applauds the provincial government’s announcement that licensed cannabis retailers will be able to deliver non-medical cannabis products directly to consumers starting July 15, 2021. Within the announcement, government also stated it will be removing security verification requirements for cannabis workers. The announcement represents […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Proud Champion of 50 – 30 Challenge
The BC Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has committed to the 50 – 30 Challenge, an initiative between the Government of Canada, business and diversity organizations, that asks organizations to aspire to two goals: Gender parity (“50%”) on Canadian board(s) and senior management; and Significant representation (“30%”) on Canadian board(s) and […]
BC Chamber Welcomes BC Restart Plan
VANCOUVER, BC, May 25, 2021 —Today, the provincial government unveiled its four-step restart plan to safely bring the people of British Columbia back together. Starting May 25, 2021 there will be a gradual return to business, important social connections, and activities. Driven by data, including the number of adults vaccinated, COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations and […]
BC Chamber Celebrates Increased Funding and Expanded Eligibility of Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant
VANCOUVER, BC, April 26, 2021 —Today, the provincial government announced that it is adding more than $75 million to the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant, bringing the amount available for hard-hit B.C. businesses to more than $125 million. With the increased funding, eligible businesses will receive up to $20,000 to help with expenses like employee wages, […]