March 24, 2014 BC Chamber Public Affairs Update

by | Mar 24, 2014 | News | 0 comments

 

Public Affairs Update Header
March 24, 2014
In This Issue
Flaherty, Redford resign
B.C. government intervenes in Port Metro Vancouver strike
B.C. celebrates Small Business Accord anniversary, tackles procurement
Court action on environmental issues
BC Chamber CEO keynote speaker at April 10 prostate cancer fundraiser
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.

Flaherty, Redford resign

Two high-profile resignations occurred this week.

Premier Alison Redford announced her resignation, effective Sunday, March 23, 2014, replaced in the interim by Deputy Premier Dave Hancock.

While in office, Redford was responsible for implementing transparent processes for expenses in the country that required all public expenses be available publicly online. It is unclear at this point who will succeed her as leader of the Progressive Conservative party.

Federal Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty also resigned last week. Flaherty’s resignation triggered caused a minor Cabinet shuffle, with his post being filled by Joe Oliver, who was previously minister of natural resources. Greg Rickford will replace Minister Oliver in this position. Rickford stated this week that he “will be a staunch advocate for Canada’s abundant natural resources and the thousands of jobs this sector creates for all Canadians.”

Premier Christy Clark and a delegation of cabinet ministers and LNG proponents are expected to travel to Ottawa at the end of March to meet various federal ministers.

B.C. government intervenes in Port Metro Vancouver strike
Last week, the B.C. government announced that it is working with the Government of Canada and Port Metro Vancouver to prepare back-to-work legislation that would effectively bring an end to the current truck driver strike at Port Metro Vancouver. The legislation could be introduced as early as today. It would be designed to impact unionized truckers exclusively, not non-unionized workers.

B.C. celebrates Small Business Accord anniversary, tackles procurement
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Last week (March 19), B.C. celebrated the one-year anniversary of the province’s Small Business Accord.
As part of first-year wins celebrated under the Accord, the province released a new report that identifies ways to give B.C.’s small businesses better access to government contracts.

The Small Business Accord is a significant win for B.C.’s small businesses, as it keeps the needs of small businesses front and centre in government policy and program decision-making.  It also seeks to battle red tape and to increase procurement opportunities for small businesses.

The BC Chamber was the original driving force behind the Accord and partnered with government to achieve the final agreement.

Court action on environmental issues

Last Monday, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and the Sierra Club of B.C. began a court challenge at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, taking court action against B.C.’s Oil and Gas Commission and Encana Corporation. They allege that the Commission’s current practice of allowing successive temporary permits violates the Water Act.

The groups are asking the court to rescind several short-term approvals that the commission has issued to Encana.

The B.C. Government and Encana say that the practice is lawful and the claim should be dismissed.

Last week, the Government of BC tabled Bill 18 – The Water Sustainability Act, 2014.

BC Chamber CEO keynote speaker at April 10 prostate cancer fundraiser
BC Chamber president and CEO John Winter will deliver the keynote address at The Wake Up Call Breakfast: a fundraiser dedicated to raising funds for prostate cancer research.

Details and registration for the April 10 event available here.
 
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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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