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Table of Contents 

• BC Agenda for Shared Prosperity

• News Updates

Chamber News

• Micro-Business Training Program

• Upcoming AGMs

Provincial News

• Consultation Begins on BC Small Business Accord

• Important PST Transition Information

• BC launches Regulatory Reform Website

• Workplace rules on BC resource roads clarified

National News

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM Wrap Up

October 23, 2012

Small-business consultation under way - Kamloops Daily News
[Minister Yamamoto] was accompanied by BC Chamber of Commerce president John Winter, who said he looked forward to seeing a document that acknowledges the significant role small business plays in the economy.

October 18, 2012

Bill Good Show - CKNW
John Winter and Iain Black (Vancouver BOT) discussed the need for the metro mayors to vote through a temporary property tax to support transit funding. Associated news release

October 11, 2012

Time in BC to put ideology aside and work for the common good - Vancouver Sun
Business needs to reconnect with British Columbians and BC communities to reinforce the link between economic prosperity and the prosperity of one's family if we are to support and sustain a quality of life most British Columbians envision for generations to come - John Winter

October 11, 2012

UNBC president named to advisory council - Prince George Citizen
Iwama is one of 12 civic leaders from across the province named to the BC Agenda for Shared Prosperity advisory council ... an initiative to generate new ideas for improving the conversation about the province's long-term potential.

October 10, 2012

CTV News at Six - CTV Vancouver

Watch the CTV News Coverage of the BC Chamber Energy Summit starting at 3:10.

October 7, 2012

Winter calls for innovation - Vernon Morning Star
Through the [BC Agenda for Shared prosperity], Winter hopes to create an open dialogue among the business community,  governments and other stakeholders to create a "competitive, innovative, knowledge-driven economy."

October 3, 2012

Canadians increasingly becoming entrepreneurs and small business owners - Canadian Business
In British Columbia, there's been an undeniable rise in "seniorpreneurs," says John Winter, a phenomenon that we've not witnessed before."

October 3, 2012

Premier & Cabinet Luncheon

The Premier & Cabinet Luncheon is fast approaching, and the deadline to register is this Thursday, October 25.  Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to meet directly with the Premier and her Cabinet on November 7, 2012 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver.

You must be a Chamber of Commerce member to attend this event

Online Registration or Flyer + Registration Form

Site C Business Information Sessions

Registration is now open for the Site C Business Information Session taking place in Vancouver and Northern BC this November. The sessions will outline:

• Overview and status of the Site C project
• Overview of construction components and construction sequence
• Update on procurement planning, including potential packages and timelines

Vancouver Session: Monday, November 19 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Free of charge. Register Here

Northern BC session information for Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Prince George.

BC Agenda for Shared Prosperity - Advisory Council Announced

The members of the Advisory Council of the BC Agenda for Prosperity have been announced. We are fortunate to have the commitment and contributions of these accomplished British Columbians from all corners and perspectives of our province.

The members of the Advisory Council will attend regional meetings across BC and support the process of changing the way we inform and make economic decisions in the province.

BC Agenda for Prosperity was launched by the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of British Columbia to take a fresh look at the economic and social development issues affecting the prosperity of British Columbians.

News Updates

• Small Business Accord Announced

  The BC Chamber of Commerce and the Hon. Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Small Business, have announced a consultation process to create a Small Business Accord and reduce red tape for business.

  
  Be a part of the consultation - take the online survey:
  Your opportunity to engage government and provide feedback to help develop key guiding principles that should be included in the Small Business Accord: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/bc-small-business-accord-survey/.

• Mayors Need To Take A Leadership Role
   The BC Chamber of Commerce and Vancouver Board of Trade took the unprecedented step of issuing a joint statement calling for the Mayors' Council to approve a time-limited property tax increase on October 18.  

Micro-Business Training (MBT) Program

Join over 250 business owners that have already received $1500 for skills training as part of the Micro- Business Training (MBT) Program, and improve the efficiency or productivity of your business.

The BC Chamber of Commerce MBT Program is 100% funded by the government, and offers courses on multiple topics in a variety of online and local formats. There are some basic eligibility requirements - find out more here.

Upcoming AGMs

We are very proud to announce that the BC Chamber 2014 Annual General Meeting & Conference will be held in Richmond!

Next year's AGM & Conference will be held in Nanaimo May 23-25, 2013.

Consultation Begins on BC Small Business Accord

KAMLOOPS - Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto was joined by BC Chamber of Commerce president and CEO John Winter and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake at Lee's Music Experience in Kamloops to announce a consultation process with British Columbians for the BC Small Business Accord.

The BC Small Business Accord will provide guidance to government to ensure that the proper tools, support and regulations are developed to make BC one of the most business-friendly jurisdictions in the country.  Take part in the consultation.

Important PST Transition Information

The Provincial Government has announced new PST information resources for BC businesses. Find out how to have your PST questions answered, and learn about the updated transition rules for there-introduction date of April 1, 2013. PST registration will start on January 2, 2013.

More details and a summary of the new resources now available on the BC Chamber website.

BC launches Regulatory Reform Website

A streamlined regulatory environment is crucial to attracting new investments to the province.  It encourages growth and innovation in the business community, which creates new jobs that benefit all British Columbians.

Learn more about BC's regulatory reform initiative and how, through the following strategies, we're making it easier for you to work with government. Topics include red tape reduction, open government and partnerships.

Workplace rules on BC resource roads clarified

VICTORIA - An amendment to the occupational health and safety regulation under the Workers' Compensation Act stipulates that resource roads are not classed as a workplace.

The amendment clarifies that while resource roads themselves are not considered a workplace, any portion under construction, maintenance or repair is deemed a workplace and governed by the Workers' Compensation Act.