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Circle of Prosperity summit looks to "share" wealth |
 The BC Chamber is helping drive a public debate on how B.C. can grow its economic prosperity - and share that wealth across all tiers of British Columbians.
Global, national and B.C. experts, including former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, converged in Vancouver April 5 to offer their insights on how B.C. can grow - and share - its economic pie.
The Circle of Prosperity summit was part of a broader discussion, the BC Agenda for Shared Prosperity, which is being co-led by the BC Chamber and the Business Council of BC. More |
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Small Business Accord promises gains for B.C. businesses |
 The BC Chamber has achieved a key win for B.C.'s small businesses in the finalization of the BC Small Business Accord. The BC Chamber has been the driving force behind the accord, which was achieved in partnership with the B.C. government.
On March 19, Naomi Yamamoto, minister of state for small business, and John Winter, BC Chamber president and CEO, announced the finalized accord. Through the accord, the B.C. government commits to keeping the needs of small businesses top of mind when making policy decisions. More |
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Proposed literacy strategy could offset labour shortages |
 BC Chamber CEO John Winter and the CEOs of two other B.C. business associations are backing a plan to develop a workforce literacy and essential skills strategy for B.C.
"The skills issue is the number one issue facing B.C. businesses," Winter told a March 25 workforce literacy forum, organized by provincial non-profit Decoda Literacy Solutions.
"We have a growing mismatch between skills required and skills available and we must do something about it if we're to compete in the global economy." More |
Analysis: Canada Job Grant no slam dunk for B.C. employers |
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 The BC Chamber is concerned that B.C.'s small businesses won't have the funds to access the new Canada Job Grant announced in the recent federal budget.
"A $5,000 buy-in is just too rich for many of B.C.'s small businesses," said John Winter, the BC Chamber's president and CEO.
Billed as the "centerpiece" of the March 21 budget, the Canada Grant system is slated to provide "$15,000 or more" per individual for training. Businesses will be eligible to apply for a grant if they have a plan to train unemployed or underemployed Canadians for an existing job or a better job. More |
