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Table of Contents 

• Annual Report

• AGM News

What's New @ bcchamber.org

• News Releases

• Public Affairs Update Newsletter 

• New Benefit Providers

Provincial News

• BC Exports to Key Markets See Substantial Increase

• Workplace Training Program Helps Retail, Tourism Staff

• BC Provides $1 Million to Junior Achievement

• Premier Welcomes Virgin Atlantic Airways to BC

June21, 2012

BC Liberals declare natural gas a clean energy source - Globe and Mail
The BC Chamber of Commerce hailed Ms. Clark's move as a "timely announcement" because BC Hydro does not have the current capacity to feed proposed LNG plants such as those in Kitimat.

June 21, 2012

Clark declares natural gas 'green energy' as long as it's used for LNG - Vancouver Sun
A home grown industry "will now be able to expand beyond current power restrictions to create jobs in BC and increase exports abroad," said John Winter, president of the BC Chamber of Commerce.

June 7, 2012

Conservationists, scientists fear Fisheries Act changes (Part 2) - Vancouver Sun
"It's significant," Winter says of their impact on the economy. "Impediments to growth - if there was a No. 1 culprit, it would be [the Department of Fisheries and Oceans], followed closely by local governments."

June 7, 2012

Stakeholders wary of slippery slope with changes to Fisheries Act (Part3) - Vancouver Sun
"If fish are in danger, they should be looked after," commented John Winter, president of the BC Chamber of Commerce. "But the reality is, there must be a balance struck between protecting habitat and wildlife of all kinds and economic growth and development."

June 3, 2012

North Van chamber wins best in BC - North Shore News
The North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has been awarded the Chamber of the Year Award by the BC Chamber of Commerce.

May 30, 2012

Campbell River Chamber wins honourable mention - Campbell River Mirror
As part of the conference, the BC Chamber of Commerce recognizes Chambers of Commerce which have made exceptional contributions to their business community with the Chamber of the Year Award.

May 25, 2012

Premier visits Penticton to pledge support for small business - Penticton Western News
Premier Christy Clark deliver a campaign-style keynote address at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting in Penticton.

Annual Report 2012

Download the BC Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2012 - featuring 'Wins for business', 'Policy highlights', the 'Power of the Chamber of Commerce Network', the 'Opportunities of membership' and our 'Stakeholder engagement'.

AGM News

• Premier Clark Announces Micro Business Training Program

• BC Chamber Calls for Municipal and Education Reform

• New Board of Directors Announced

• BC Chamber of the Year Awards Announced

 Recent News Releases

• June 21, 2012: New Clean Energy Act to Power BCs Economy and Exports

• June 5, 2012: BC Business Supports Infrastructure Expansion To Open Gateways To Trade

Public Affairs Update Newsletter

• Latest - Issue 19

• Back issues here

New Benefit Providers

• Absolute Energy - The leading wholesale natural gas broker in BC, this program is available to Chamber members across the province.  The current Absolute one-year rate option price at $2.95/GJ for members will secure 30% savings over the last 12 months' average Fortis Gas Cost rate.

• China Business Tour - Our new business tour is focused on China, and is a great opportunity for businesses looking for ways to create new portals into the Asian pacific markets.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM

Hamilton - September 22 - 24, 2012

Information and registration can be found at the CCC website.

Skills and Training Resources

Help us find solutions to Canada's growing skills and labour shortage. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is holding a consultation with businesses across the country to develop solutions to this major issue facing many sectors of our economy.

• New Webinar: June 27th - "Aboriginal Workforce Development" will focus on finding and hiring Aboriginal workers, best practices  for Aboriginal inclusion in the workplace and confronting the critical issue of inadequate education among Aboriginal workers.

• We need your input: the 8th 1 minute survey on "Domestic Skills Development" will focus on Aboriginal peoples.

American Express Small Business Monitor - June 2012

• 82% of Small Business Owners (SBOs) see ongoing training and development as key to success of their business

• 61% of SBOs say the average member of today's workforce doesn't have enough of the skills or knowledge their company needs to succeed

• SBOs report their primary motivation for investing in training and development opportunities is to make the company more competitive (36%)

• 29% of SBOs report training and development takes budgetary priority over most strategic and operational initiatives

BC Exports to Key Markets See Substantial Increase

VICTORIA - Led by a dramatic gain in shipments to China and other key markets targeted in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, British Columbia's export totals jumped over 10 per cent this April compared to the same month in 2011.

The Province exported $2.7 billion of goods worldwide in April of 2012 compared to $2.4 billion in April of last year. Exports to China, including Hong Kong, rose substantially, by over 20 per cent.

Workplace Training Program Helps Retail, Tourism Staff

VICTORIA - A provincially funded program will upgrade the industry and job-specific skills of 1,200 eligible participants working in tourism and retail sectors in British Columbia.

The $4.2 million training program will be delivered by a group of post-secondary institutions throughout BC

BC Provides $1 Million to Junior Achievement

VANCOUVER - Ensuring that our youth have access to business skills, are better prepared to  enter the labour force and have the information necessary to consider an entrepreneurial  career choice is why the Province is providing a grant of $1 million to Junior Achievement BC (JABC).

JABC offers business education programs that teach work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to elementary, middle school and high school students throughout the province. Programs are developed in partnership with local schools and business owners to deliver these programs.

Premier Welcomes Virgin Atlantic Airways to BC

VANCOUVER - Premier Christy Clark welcomed Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Atlantic Airways to British Columbia for the airline's inaugural flight from London, U.K. to Vancouver. The new flights add an additional 960 seats per week from the U.K. between May and October.

Up to 40,000 passengers are expected to use the four-days-a-week service, which will create an estimated 35 jobs at YVR.