BC Chamber of Commerce Launches 2021 Board of Director Nominations
The BC Chamber is looking for exceptional leaders whose values align with that of the Board – show dedication, grit and passionate for the people who power BC. The Board is seeking qualified candidates with expertise in the area of Policy Governance, Government Relations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Risk Management and Strategy, Region and Sector […]
B.C. cannabis sector has ability to accelerate economic recovery, but is hampered by unreasonable policies
Last weekend marked the two-year anniversary of the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Canada, and was also the one-week countdown until British Columbians elect a new government. Tomorrow, numerous issues are top of mind as voters cast their ballots: the challenges faced by our intrepid healthcare workers as they strive to keep us safe, how […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Supports First Steps in Province’s Economic Recovery Plan
“We appreciate that government sees this as the next step, not the final step, in the road to recovery.” says Dan Baxter, Director of Policy and Government Relations. Today, the provincial government shared details of its Economic Recovery Plan, Stronger BC. In addition to broad consultation and recommendations, the Stronger BC Plan took into consideration the BC Chamber of […]
Big Thinking for Small Business: BC Chamber’s Recommendations for Economic Recovery
The BC Chamber of Commerce completed its recommendations for BC’s Economic Recovery Plan on behalf of it’s 36,000 members, and submitted this report to government on July 21. This submission will help the Province design a plan to support BC’s businesses and our economy as we move out of crisis and toward recovery. Our submission […]
BC Chamber of Commerce Publicly Releases its Economic Recovery Submission
“Plan will require big thinking around small business,” says Aleece Laird, Board Chair. Today, the BC Chamber of Commerce (BCCC) publicly released its Economic Recovery Submission (submitted to Government July 21st, 2020), made up of 54 policy recommendations focusing on competitiveness, innovation, and inclusivity respectively. The plan is a pan-provincial in scope and aims to guide the Province on stimulating BC’s economy through measures that support small and medium enterprises […]
B.C. red tape frustrates legal cannabis stores’ hiring effort, boost black market
The Cannabis sector is ready to put hundreds of unemployed retail employees back to work – quickly. They’re also well positioned to generate thousands of dollars in tax revenue if they could accept online orders and deliver to your door. Unfortunately, burdensome regulations mean cannabis retailers are struggling to find workers and being forced to […]
BC Chamber Voices Concerns About Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act
On July 20, 2020, the BC Chamber and 21 other BC business associations sent a letter to the Hon. Harry Bains, outlining the business community’s concerns with Bill 23, Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2020, which was tabled in the legislature on July 14.
Advocacy win: B.C. extends layoff provisions
The B.C. government is extending temporary layoffs provisions under COVID-19 to a maximum of 24 weeks after concerns were raised by business groups, notably the BC Chamber of Commerce Network. We issued this news release in partnership with several other BC business associations on June 22 and also advocated to the Premier directly on the importance of extending the layoff provision in […]
BC Businesses Call on Labour Minister to Act to Avoid Employee Terminations and Small Business Bankruptcies
Business organizations representing almost all of British Columbia’s 500,000 businesses are frustrated by Labour Minister Harry Bains refusal to appreciate the severity of current business challenges. At issue specifically is the potential for bankruptcy and insolvency for thousands of small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profits as they are forced to payout severance costs due to […]
Advocacy win: ban on commercial rent evictions
Hon. Minister James announced early this week that landlords who are eligible for CERCA but don’t apply will be prevented from evicting tenants for at least the next month. A joint letter to provincial/territorial governments from the BC Chamber of Commerce in late May, and BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin’s recent op-ed in the Vancouver Sun, called for more landlord participation […]