Policy Search

In the next 25 years, B.C. will be home to several of the fastest growing census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in the country, including Kelowna and Surrey, with over one million new residents moving to Metro Vancouver. More housing choices are required in British Columbia in order to be economically competitive by attracting and keeping skilled workers. Housing choices that meet various income levels...

Pay gaps between four designated groups (women, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities) and men remains a consistent problem for the Canadian economy and impacted individuals. One reason attributed to this gap is that fewer individuals in designated groups are employed in high-paying occupations, which are dominated by men. Ensuring that there is training, hiring, and...

In 2018, the BC Budget introduced the speculation tax as one of several measures aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis in BC. Now, five years later, the tax has been fully introduced and is applicable in a widening range of municipalities. . In addition, it has been joined by a new federal tax – lasting for a two year period – known as the Foreign Buyer Ban which applies to...

B.C.’s liquor distribution system has seen several positive reforms in recent years, but additional changes to the distribution system and its rules are warranted to create more flexibility for product delivery and format choice, and greater business opportunities for liquor retailers and manufacturers.

Challenges associated with senior care are impacting the business community. The limited availability of appropriate senior care, challenge navigating the options, and the uncertain quality and reliability of some senior care support means that productive employees in our BC economy need to leave the workforce to help support and care for their aging parent.

B.C. is Canada’s Pacific Gateway, the gateway for vital trade to and from Asia. Effective transportation networks are a fundamental and necessary underpinning of this trade and economic activity. And an integral part of B.C.’s trade & transportation infrastructure is the Highway 1 corridor. Following the floods of 2021, the province and country saw the vital role this corridor plays in internal...

Canada is facing a continued affordable housing crisis, yet effort made by all levels of government have made very little discernable difference to Canadians. Community Land Trusts already exist across Canada and a proven vehicle to combat the affordable housing crisis in perpetuity, but they are crippled by current Federal tax law in their ability to acquire land donations.

In 2018 the B.C. Government commissioned the Hicken Report aimed at improving efficiency and outcomes in business interaction between government and B.C.’s liquor industry. The report’s mandate was described as assisting government in focusing limited resources on evaluating industry priorities, and reflects government's interest in developing policy that makes life better for all British...

Commercial vehicles play a vital role in the economy of British Columbia, and ensuring their safe operation is a top priority for the trucking industry. One tool that can help improve the safety of commercial vehicles on B.C. roads is the installation of mandatory forward-facing dashboard cameras. This low-cost measure will improve accountability and provide data/information to make B.C.’s roads a...

In the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) Industry 2030 report, 35% respondents to a Management Issues Survey indicated that attracting or retaining skilled labour was one of their three most pressing challenges and topped the list of possible responses. Further, the CME reported that close to 60% of businesses anticipate skilled labour shortages in 5 years. There are multiple strategies to...