• BC Chamber Insight Newsletter: 8/22/2019

    • Share:
    August 22, 2019
    AUGUST 22, 2019 — IN THIS ISSUE: 2020 Budget Report, Policy wins in LNG, and more!
    View email in your browser
     

    Making our Presence Known

    BC Chamber Network has Strong Showing in 2020 Budget Report 


    The latest Report on the Budget —from the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services—makes 43 references to submissions from the BC Chamber network.

    "This speaks to the influence of our network on government decisions," says Val Litwin, BC Chamber CEO. "We hope the government implements these recommendations to ensure BC's economy thrives in the year ahead."
     
    This report guides government preparations ahead of its next budget, and includes more than 100 recommendations. The committee held meetings in 15 B.C. communities in June, and received almost 1,000 written submissions and online survey responses.

     

    Policy Win! 

    Federal Government Removes Tariffs on Fabricated Steel for LNG Facilities


    BC Chamber has been advocating on behalf of BC’s LNG industry for years, and this month, we had a win!

    On August 9, the Federal Government announced it would provide relief from duties on fabricated steel in modules that are key components used in the construction of LNG facilities.

    “We’ve been one of the leading voices on this file since 2013,” says Dan Baxter, the BC Chamber's Director of Policy. "And our 2018 policy —put forward by the Terrace Chamber of Commerce—is driving our network to continue to support a globally competitive LNG Industry.”

     

    Recipe for Success

    BC Chamber helps drive Metro Vancouver’s Regional Prosperity Initiative


    On August 1, Metro Vancouver announced a new regional economic prosperity service that will focus on regional collaboration to advance shared economic,  livability  and  sustainability  goals  in Canada’s Pacific Gateway—and, the BC Chamber was one of several organizations to make it happen.

    “The new entity's focus will be attracting foreign direct investment, which is arguably the single biggest driver of increasing wages, and cuts right to the core of affordability in BC,” says BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin.

     

    Building Bridges
    Learn how Indigenous and non-Indigenous business can work together 


    The last few years have witnessed tremendous growth in the Indigenous economy. Economic reconciliation has become more than a hopeful catch phase, it is now a reality—and with that comes the need for appropriate and respectful engagement between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses.

    Check out what BC CHamber member Advanced Business Match's Qwastånayå (L. Maynard Harry, pictured above) has to say about building opportunities between indigenous and non-indigenous business. 

    Learn more

    Female Entrepreneurs Wanted


     Do you know a woman making waves in the business world?

    Then check out Pitch for the Purse!

    This program was designed by the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) to address the lack of access to capital available to women entrepreneurs in Canada.

    Participants will learn and practice the skills behind a good pitch, gain valuable feedback from industry professionals, and have a chance to pitch their business at a finale event—for a $25,000 cash prize!

    Do you know an amazing woman entrepreneur?  

    Nominate yourself (or someone else!)
     
    size=2 width="100%" align=center> size=2 width="100%" align=center>
     
     

    ICYMI: BC Chamber Ceases Participation in WorkSafeBC Review Process


    On August 14, the BC Chamber and 45 other BC business associations, withdrew from a formal government review process of the Workers' Compensation System—citing several issues with the scope, transparency, and impartiality of the process.  The group made a joint statement to the media.
    Our position is that the employer community has acted in good faith during the review process, however our decision to withdraw is driven by what we strongly believe is a lack of impartiality in the review's approach. 
     

    Our Network in the News

    August. 15, Business in Vancouver
     

    Dozens of business associations step back from WorkSafeBC review

    August. 14, Global News
     

    Business organizations back out of WorkSafeBC review after ‘losing confidence’

    August. 10, Times Colonist
     

    Business groups welcome suggestion for B.C. tax review

    View full media report. Use the password "BCMindReader".
    HINT: Click the small dots on the left of the report to navigate through the sections!
     
    Follow on Twitter   |   Follow on Facebook   |   Forward to a Friend
    Copyright © 2019 BC Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.
    You are receiving this email because you are a BC Chamber member or part of our extended network.
    Our mailing address is:

    BC Chamber of Commerce
    1201-750 W. Pender St.
    Vancouver, BC V6C 2T8
    Canada

    Add us to your address book


     
    unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser