Issue No. 13 May 7, 2012

British Columbia Chamber of Commerce

In This Issue

• BC Government Introduces Changes to Economic Development Projects on Federal Reserve Land
• Province Amends Impaired Driving Law
• Staff Changes

The Public Affairs Update is your weekly insight, perspective and analysis on politics in British Columbia and Canada. This newsletter is brought to you by the largest, and most broadly-based business organization in the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce – the Voice of Business in BC.

BC Government Introduces Changes to Economic Development Projects on Federal Reserve Land

Last week the BC government introduced Bill 43, the FNCIDA Implementation Act, that will allow provincial laws and regulations to apply to major projects on federal First Nations Reserve Land.

The legislation allows BC to enter into agreements with the Government of Canada and First Nations to administer provincial laws on reserve lands for specific projects. Currently, two projects have been brought forward:

• The proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility on a Haisla Nation reserve near Kitimat.
• A proposed commercial and residential development on Squamish Nation reserve lands in the Lower Mainland.

Federally, the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA), which came into force in 2006, intended to close significant gaps in regulation on reserves and help facilitate economic development projects.

Without FNCIDA, any First Nation can proceed with developments on-reserve, without being subject to the same provincial regulations that apply to off-reserve developments. Bill 43, coupled with existing federal legislation, aims to fill regulatory gaps and apply provincial legislation to specified reserves, while attempting to provide greater certainty for investment capital and government regulation.

Province Amends Impaired Driving Law

The Province is introducing changes to the review process for immediate roadside prohibitions (IRPs) to address a BC Supreme Court ruling concerning the constitutionality of part of the existing IRP law. The proposed changes are designed to address the court’s concerns about providing drivers who fail a roadside breath-test a way to meaningfully challenge the results. Changes include:

• Making it mandatory for police to advise drivers of their right to challenge the first test result by completing a second test.
• Requiring police to advise drivers that the lower of the two readings will prevail.

Other amendments are designed to improve administrative fairness and provide drivers with the opportunity for a more rigorous review through the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
Last November, the Supreme Court found the current legislation infringes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The court granted government’s request that the declaration of unconstitutionality be suspended until June 30, 2012, to allow time to amend the law.

Staff Changes

• Chad Pederson, Executive Director of the BC Liberal Party, has resigned effective the end of May to take a position with a nonprofit organization.
• Jennifer Benoit, the BC Liberal Party’s Director of Communications, has resigned from her position with the Party.
• Jim Rutkowski, a senior aide to Brian Topp in the recent federal NDP leadership, has joined the Victoria office of Hill + Knowlton Strategies.

 

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change. Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.

The CVCS work crew has been at work on the Radium Pump Track for a week   now and it is starting to take shape! About 60 dump truck loads of dirt have   been brought on site and a more will be added next week. Feel free to visit the site and check out the hard work. You can even bring   your bike and get a little pump on trying out the completed portion of   the track. A junior loop has also been completed and is ready for youth   or those new to pumping. Riding a pump track is intense and a lot of fun.   You’ll be surprised how quickly it’ll get your breath going. If you have a couple of volunteer hours here or there to help the work   crew that is also appreciated. The crew has been working weekdays   from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have the time, please stop by during   these hours and lend a hand. For more information on volunteering   contact cvcyclingsociety@hotmail.com. The Radium Pump Track is located to the north west of the four-way stop in   Radium. To get there park beside Rotary Park on Forsters Landing Road in   Radium. Take the footpath down to the Sinclair Creek Trails. The pump track   is right there. The Radium Pump Track is a partnership between the Radium Rotary Club, the Village of Radium Hot Springs, and the Columbia Valley Cycling Society.

CBC SHOW RETURNS TO SEARCH FOR CANADIAN COMPANIES IN NEED

 The BIG Decision Matches Struggling Canadian Businesses with Top Investors

The producers of CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den are looking for Canadian companies to participate in the second season of the reality business show The BIG Decision.

Canada’s top investors are on a mission: to spend their time AND their money to turn around struggling Canadian companies.These wealthy investors have founded companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, they will roll up their sleeves and visit the factories, shops, and offices of Canadian companies in need – providing expert business advice and a possible financial investment.

CBC is sending out the call to business owners who would like to participate in the second season of this show. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partner with a Dragon and receive national exposure for your company.

What type of companies can apply?

• Must have been in operation for at least three to five years, or more
• Gross revenue of at least $500,000 per year
• More than five employees
• Privately held businesses, family businesses, partnerships, limited partnerships
• Must be willing to commit to being filmed on camera for up to a two-week period
• A business registered in Canada
• Fluent English speakers

Here’s what our past participants have to say about their experiences on the show:

“The benefits of the insights into your business and the opportunities presented are large and worthwhile.” Jennifer Williams, CEO, Camino.

“People keep coming by to see us because of ‘The Big Decision.’ The show gave us GREAT exposure and we’re so happy to have participated.” Karen King, co-owner, The Ice House.

To apply, please visit cbc.ca/thebigdecision to complete an application. All interested applicants should apply ASAP. Applications close June 8, 2012.

Follow us on Twitter @thebigdecision and visit our Facebook page.

BC Hydro requires a planned outage on Sunday, May 27, from 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. MDT. The planned outage is required in daylight hours to safely install sky wires and complete upgrade work at the Athalmer Substation. The three and a half hour planned outage will affect approximately 6,600 customers in the Invermere and Radium areas. The specific areas affected will be provided to you and will also be detailed in local newspapers. We are taking all the necessary steps to minimize the inconvenience to our customers and will restore service safely and as quickly as possible. BC Hydro customers will be notified by advertisements in local newspapers and radio ads. Key account customers will be informed directly. Please forward this information to operations and planning departments within your organizations. Please contact me immediately if there is a concern with the outage date – i.e. significant event in the community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as continue to make improvements in the Columbia Valley to provide even more reliable service in the future. Regards, Diane Diane Tammen Community Relations Manager, East Kootenay email: diane.tammen@bchydro.bc.ca Telephone: (250) 489-6862 Pax: 56862 Fax: (250) 489-6850 Pax: 56850

2012 Business Excellence

Celebration of Excellence!

The 2012 Business Excellence Awards will be held in partnership with the Radium Hot Springs Chamber at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012.

The Business Excellence Awards are your opportunity to recognize businesses within the Columbia Valley that you believe provide exemplary service, that are involved in the larger community and that are considered to be an outstanding employer.

YOUR VOTE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SELECTION PROCESS. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO NOMINATE A BUSINESS IN EACH CATEGORY – IT TAKES ONLY A FEW MINUTES.

VOTE NOW

Radium Resort Limited Partnership is optimistic about the future! Over the past year, a significant investment has been made in Phase 1 of the Master Redevelopment Plan for Radium Resort Golf Course by building three (3) new golf holes scheduled to open during the 2012 golf season.

Further, the Board of Directors of RRLP is brave and bold by beginning a planned a 20 estate-lot subdivision nestled within the Springs golf course, consistently rated as one of Canada’s top 100 golf courses by Score Magazine. This new development captures the imagination of those discerning folks looking for a private residential enclave linked to the Springs clubhouse via a paved country lane that winds its way through the spruce trees separating the 1^st and 9^th fairways.

Radium Springs Estates is within walking distance to the Village of Radium town centre, the gateway to the Columbia Valley Golf Trail and all-season recreational activities, restaurants, shopping districts, live entertainment, Radium Hot Springs pools, and many Village amenities.

Residents of Radium Springs Estates can participate in a dual membership privileges at the Springs and Resort golf courses, including the unique opportunity to own a private electric golf cart for use at the Springs where the 1^st tee is just a 2 minute golf cart drive away.

The common goal is a community of lasting beauty and value. Radium Springs Estates at the Springs and the new golf holes at Radium Resort are two steps forward in achieving this goal. While these are only two major projects that are underway at Radium Resort, many small projects such as the completed upgrades to the hot tub, indoor pool and fitness centre have been undertaken.

Radium Resort is making an investment in the future and creating jobs for our families.