Policy Search

Canada needs to overcome significant obstacles if it is to cement a leadership role in blockchain technology. A key handicap is the absence of a clearly defined strategy for governments and other stakeholders to exploit blockchain technology. For example, governments focus on investing in related technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing while missing the critical...

Rural and remote communities in British Columbia are impacted by a lack of connectivity both from a broadband and a cellular perspective. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this significant crack in our economic foundation. At the height of the crisis, many businesses scrambled to move their operations online to stay open. Enabling online business – whether it’s employees working from home or setting...

Without exception, local municipalities across B.C. set higher mill rates and thus charge greater taxes to business properties than they do residential properties, despite businesses using fewer municipal resources than residents. The gap, or “ratio”, between residential and business property taxes should be narrowed to better reflect a user-pay philosophy for services and to better support the...

Farming is an expensive career path. Youth are finding it increasingly difficult to access funds to pursue farming even when their families have been farming for generations. Fewer farmers builds food insecurity and raises the price of food with broader economic implications. Many regions across B.C. are facing land shortages. This issue is exemplified in the Lower Mainland, but it permeates...

The purpose of this resolution is to improve transparent infrastructure project cost reporting and monitoring, to ensure accountability and effective risk and cost management of publicly funded infrastructure projects. Once a publicly funded infrastructure project's business case is completed, its budget is approved, and a public announcement regarding that project is made, governments need to...

B.C. has made significant commitments to electrification of passenger and some light-industrial vehicles. Canada has also proposed regulations that indicate one-fifth of all passenger cards, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in 2026 will need to operate on electricity.

The cost of cybercrime perpetrated on businesses is rising. However, there is insufficient data to determine accurately what those costs are. When asked at a recent cybercrime dialogue if the attendants knew where to report a cybercrime, most did not. Canada does have websites where business can report a breach of their data, however, it is not well known. Businesses need to report cybercrime and...

As part of its CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, the provincial government is currently planning to phase out demand-side incentives for installing high-efficiency gas furnaces, heaters, and boilers as part of their plan to shift to incentivizing heat pumps, building envelope improvements, and other efforts.

Development Permit application processes vary in municipalities. There are no common guidelines to application timelines, and there is no incentive for municipalities to address the issue. Frustration and costs caused by these delays in many incidents result in projects and development opportunities not being brought forward. It is imperative that the Provincial Government take action to ensure...

The rural and remote communities of Northern B.C. are at the heart of the provincial economy, providing resources and revenues that benefit all British Columbians. Much of the transportation supporting the Northern economy relies on dangerous and inefficient two-lane highway and road systems without proper rest stops for long haul drivers. With the economy of Northeastern B.C. growing rapidly...