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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 B.C.
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Federal and provincial governments reach agreement on Canada Job Grant
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Last week, the federal government reached an agreement with the majority of Canadian provinces regarding the proposed Canada Jobs Grant program.
With the exception of Quebec, all Canadian provinces have agreed to administer the program in exchange for a number of concessions made by the federal government.
At this point, details of the agreement are not publicly known, however, Federal Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney has confirmed that Ottawa still plans to take back, gradually, $300 million of the estimated $3 billion a year it transfers to the provinces for skills training.
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Province provides $120m to oil and gas companies for roads and pipelines
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Last week, the Province earmarked $120 million for oil and gas companies to build roads and pipelines in northeast B.C. through the royalty infrastructure credit program. The government hopes to increase oil and gas exploration and production in these under-developed areas, and extend drilling through the program. The program can provide as much as 50 per cent of a project cost.
Since 2004, the provincial government has awarded $830 million in royalty credits to oil and gas companies. This has allowed for more than 200 new or upgraded all-season roads and pipeline projects. During the same time, the province has collected approximately $8.5 billion in sector royalties.
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B.C. government proposes longer terms for municipal politicians
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Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes announced that the Province intends to table legislation that will increase terms for municipal elected officials from three years to four.
According to Oakes, all other Canadian provinces have four-year terms. Similar changes were proposed in 2010, but were defeated by a vote from the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). Last year, however, the UBCM passed a resolution supporting the intended extension.
More local government reforms are anticipated throughout the course of the current legislative session, including a modernization of campaign financing rules.
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Nine B.C. companies win Small Business BC Awards
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Last week, nine B.C. companies were named winners at the Small Business BC Awards. The winners are:
- Best Company: Save Everyday (Vancouver)
- Best Concept: Medeo (Vancouver)
- Best Community Impact: Bamboletta Dolls (Cowichan Bay)
- Best International Trade Business: Xanatos Marine Ltd. (North Vancouver
- Best Green Business: Eclipse Awards (Vancouver)
- Best Employer: Fully Managed (Vancouver
- Best Online Marketer: Make it Productions (Vancouver)
- Best Workplace: iWorx (North Vancouver)
- Premier’s People’s Choice: Fruiticana Produce (Surrey)
Find out more about the winners here.
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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.
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