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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. |
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BC Ranks First In Canada for Job Growth
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In September, 5,700 new jobs were created in British Columbia. Despite the province seeing a loss of 6,200 part-time positions over August, this was offset by a gain of 11,900 full-time positions over the same period.
Since August 2011, BC ranks first in Canada in regards to job creation. Within BC, there has been an increase of 57,400 new jobs; compared with 55,400 in Ontario, 45,400 in Alberta, and 35,100 in Quebec.
With respect to unemployment rate, BC ranks fourth in Canada. Standing at 7.0 per cent, BC follows Alberta at 4.4 per cent, Saskatchewan at 4.7 per cent and Manitoba at 5.0 per cent. The BC unemployment rate rose from 6.7 per cent in August. The unemployment rate for youth in BC has also increased, albeit slightly, over August, to 14 per cent.
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BC Ferries Fare Increases Capped
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The BC Ferry Commission has announced that it has set a price cap for fare increases for BC Ferries. Over the next three years, BC Ferries will be allowed to increase fares by 4.1 per cent in 2013, 4.0 per cent in 2014 and 3.9 per cent in 2015.
BC Ferries year end financial report from 2011 included losses of over $16 million, vehicle traffic at a 13-year low and the lowest number of passengers in 21 years. BC Ferries will use these fare increases, along with service cuts, in an attempt to lessen financial losses.
The BC Ferry Commission has also tasked BC Ferries with submitting a plan for the use of alternative fuels and reducing overall fuel consumption, due within the next 30 days.
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BC Conservative Party Candidate Joins BC Liberal Party
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Ben Besler, formerly the BC Conservative Party's vice-president, has joined the BC Liberal Party.
Recently, Besler was active in seeking the leadership review of party president John Cummins. Seventy-one per cent of party members rejected the review at the BC Conservative Party's AGM at the end of September.
Earlier this year, BC Conservative Party members John van Dongen and John Martin also left the party.
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Hon. Judith Guichon Appointed BC Lieutenant-Governor
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Prime Minister Steven Harper recently appointed Hon. Judith Guichon BC's new Lieutenant-Governor.
Hon. Guichon is a veteran rancher who owns and operates an environmentally focused ranch near Kamloops.
During her tenure, Hon. Guichon hopes to travel throughout BC to reach smaller resource and agriculture-based communities. She also hopes to use the office to teach urban British Columbians about the role agriculture plays in the environment, beyond food production.
Hon. Guichon was previously preparing to become President of the Cattlemans Association, and has been involved with organizations such as the Fraser Basin Council of BC and the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC.
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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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