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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 B.C.
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B.C. closer to announcing pending LNG fiscal regime
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Last week, Steve Carr, deputy minister of natural gas development, announced that the Province’s final decision on its LNG fiscal regime could come before summer 2014 – earlier than the fall, which had originally been projected.
At this point, it appears that the government may reconsider its two-tier taxation approach proposed in the budget this past February after criticism from some LNG proponents. The push to move the framework forward may also stem from pressures from proponents seeking to make final investment decisions in the next year.
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Christy Clark addresses temporary foreign workers in B.C.
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 The topic of temporary foreign workers surfaced again last week in B.C., when it was revealed that a McDonald’s franchise owner from Vancouver Island is under federal investigation for abusing the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The franchise owner was allegedly hiring temporary Filipino workers while reducing local staff’s hours and turning away several dozen seemingly qualified Canadians.Premier Christy Clark has said that the TFW program should not be used to fill positions in fast-food outlets in urban areas, where there are plenty of locals to fill those positions.
The controversy over the TFW program comes at a time when the federal government is introducingprohibitive fines on employers caught abusing the program – which is intended to fill positions in the labour market where there is a lack of skilled Canadians – as part of greater immigration reform.
The reformed TFW program, however, will remain a cornerstone of the Western Canadian labour market. In late March, the provincial and federal governments agreed on a non-binding accord to build BC’s LNG industry that includes active use of the TFW program for skilled labour. Clark emphasized that any temporary workers in the natural resources sector will not take jobs away from skilled Canadians. |
John Horgan set to be acclaimed BC NDP leader
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This week, Mike Farnworth confirmed that he is withdrawing from the BC NDP leadership race. As a result, John Horgan is set to be acclaimed the next leader of the opposition.
Farnworth did not enjoy the same level of support from the party as Horgan. He has stated that the party needs to unite behind a single candidate rather than engage in a leadership contest.
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Former B.C. finance minister Colin Hansen to lead AdvantageBC
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| AdvantageBC has announced that Colin Hansen, former B.C. finance minister, will be its president effective July 1, 2014.In addition to minister of finance, Hansen has held a number of senior positions with the B.C. government including deputy premier, minister of health, minister of economic development and minister responsible for the 2010 Olympics.”AdvantageBC, as an independently funded business organization, offers me the opportunity to continue promoting British Columbia as an ideal place for international business,” Hansen said in a news release. “I look forward to bringing my past government experience to expand the international reach of AdvantageBC.”
AdvantageBC is a non-profit organization that was established in 1986 to attract international business to B.C. by promoting the tax incentives available through the province’s International Business Activity program, as well as other advantages that B.C. offers companies engaged in international business. |
Gregor Robertson to seek re-election
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| Mayor Gregor Robertson officially announced that he will seek re-election in November’s upcoming Vancouver municipal election. The Non-Partisan Association has yet to name a mayoral candidate. |
Junior Achievement seeks volunteers to support business training for youth
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Junior Achievement, which provides business education for youth in schools and communities throughout B.C., has put out a call for volunteers.Where volunteers are needed:
- Lower Mainland: Volunteers needed in Surrey, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and other Fraser Valley communities.
- Vancouver Island: Volunteers are needed in Port Alberni, Campbell River and Victoria.
- Interior: Volunteers are needed in Williams Lake, Merritt and Kelowna.
- North: Volunteers are needed in Prince George.
Visit www.jabc.org for more details. |
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