February 1, 2016 – BC Chamber Public Affairs Update

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.

Premier Clark criticized the BC NDP for their opposition to the siting of an LNG facility in Northwest BC, calling the Official Opposition the “forces of no” who oppose everything. “There are people who just say no to everything, heaven knows there are plenty of those in British Columbia. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you give up. It doesn’t mean you should be a quitter.” Premier Clark said that for the NDP, “It’s just about trying to say no. It’s about fear of change. It’s about a fear of the future.”

The BC NDP countered with an attack of its own – a negative online advertisement highlighting what the NDP is calling “five years of Christy Clark photo-ops and empty promises to B.C. families.” The ad leads off with a photo of Premier Clark’s cancelled “Om the bridge” event, then shifts to health and education underfunding and government scandals, before inviting voters to send Premier Clark a message in a pair of by-elections on February 2. The ad is a marked departure from the 2013 election, when the NDP’s then leader eschewed such negative attacks.

The next BC provincial election is scheduled for May 9, 2017.

The B.C. government has launched a new intake system for the Provincial Nominee Program so it aligns with British Columbia’s labour market and economic development priorities.

British Columbia is forecast to lead the country in economic growth in 2016. Although British Columbians are front of the line for those job opportunities, economic immigration will play a role in meeting the labour demands of our diverse, strong and growing economy. The Provincial Nominee Program is the province’s only direct economic immigration tool for bringing in new British Columbians to assist in filling the nearly one million job openings due to retirements and economic growth

The B.C. government is investing in emerging business leaders with new funding to expand a successful Futurpreneur program that offers business skills and coaching for young entrepreneurs launching new small businesses.

The government is providing $50,000 to Futurpreneur so it can expand its reach by offering Rock My Business Plan workshops in Prince George, Nanaimo and Kelowna. The curriculum of the one-day sessions will be tailored to the participants with personal coaching for business planning and marketing.