Public Affairs Update Header
Issue No. 10April 16, 2012
In This Issue
Second LNG Facility Approved in Kitimat
Forest Sector Strategy Released
Movie Theatres Now Eligible for Liquor Licenses
Greetings!

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.

 

Second LNG Facility Approved in Kitimat


Federal Natural Resource Minister
Hon. Joe Oliver has announced that the federal government has approved the second liquid natural gas (LNG) facility in Kitimat, BC. BC LNG Export Co-operative LC, a joint operation between Haisla Nation and LNG Partners LLC, was granted a 20-year license after receiving approval from the National Energy Board in February. 

The
federal governments news release indicates that LNG will be transported to the proposed Douglas Channel terminal on the existing Pacific Northern Gas Pipeline and potentially on the proposed Pacific Trail Pipeline. 

This is the second LNG facility to receive approval to ship gas
from the area as Encana Corp., Apache Corp. and EOG Resources Inc. received approval for an export license in October 2011.

 

Forest Sector Strategy Released

 

Premier Christy Clark has released Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia under the BC Jobs Plan. This report builds on six key priorities identified by the Working Roundtable on Forestry to support the forestry sector throughout the province.

 

The strategy includes:

  • Encouraging markets in Asia for BC forest products as the first choice of building materials;
  • Actions that support the wood first commitment, growing trees, carbon storage, a competitive operating climate, innovation, diversification, rural economies, and First Nations' participation;
  • Calling for new applications and expanded use of wood construction in non-residential and mid-rise buildings;
  • Ongoing investment in reforestation, silviculture activities, and forest carbon projects that will result in fast-growing forests to address timber supply challenges created by the mountain pine beetle infestation;
  • Continuing to transform and innovate to meet the need for green energy and help build the bio-economy; and

Continued opportunities for community forest agreements, the woodlot program and helping First Nations move forward as partners in forestry.

 

Movie Theatres Now Eligible for Liquor Licenses

 

Hon. Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines, announced that movie theatres and live event theatres in British Columbia can now apply for a license to serve alcohol:

  • Multiplex theatres will be permitted to obtain a liquor licence and serve alcohol in adult-only auditoriums and adjacent lobbies.
  • Single-screen movie and live-event theatres can apply to serve alcohol in a lobby where minors are present and to serve liquor in the auditorium for adult-only screenings or events.
  • Without getting prior approval from the Province, live-event theatres may now show films, broadcasts, or host events for people of all ages if no alcohol is served.

 



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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.