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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 BC.
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New Jobs Added to BC Economy
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Statistics Canada's recent monthly report indicates that British Columbia added over 9,000 jobs in the last month, while our unemployment rate held steady at 6.9 percent. This is down almost two percentage points over last year.
In the past year, 39,000 net new jobs have been added to the provincial economy. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Hon. Pat Bell identifies that most of these new jobs added are full-time.
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Endako Mine Expansion Announced
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Endako Mine, located 100km west of Prince George, has been issued a Mines Act permit amendment to increase production. The mine's expansion is expected to create 160 new jobs and sustain approximately 400 employees in the North.
Endako, owned by Thompson Creek Mining Ltd. and Sojitz Corporation, has been in production since 1965. Endako's mining reserves are sufficient to continue operation until 2028.
The expansion of the mine will amalgamate its three pits. It will also result in a major upgrade to the mine's 42-year-old mill and will create a new facility that will nearly double the current processing capacity to 55,000 tonnes.
The expansion's projected capital cost is approximately $600 million, and is expected to generate approximately $90-100 million in annual economic activity indirect wages, purchases and taxes.
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BC Teachers Rally at Legislature, Vancouver Art Gallery
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On Tuesday, several thousand BC teachers and union supporters gathered at the Legislature in Victoria in a massive rally to support teachers job action. The teachers marched to the Legislature to protest Bill 22, legislation that will force an end to the labour dispute between teachers and the BC government. The crowd was led by Susan Lambert, President of the B.C. Teachers Federation; Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour; Darryl Walker President of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union; and Barry O'Neill, President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
In a final protest rally before returning to work, on Wednesday teachers gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Until Bill 22 is passed, teachers will be able to strike one day a week, according to a recent ruling by the Labour Relations Board.
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