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Newsletter June 21. 2023 |
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FSJ & District Member News: |
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In an effort to maintain our member files, we encourage you to head over to our website and create a login ID & password for your account. You'll be able to update your company's info as often as needed, without having to wait on us. If you experience any issues, please give us a call at 250-785-6037, or send an email to admin@fsjchamber.com |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Business - To - Business Roadshow, June 28 Business After 5 Mixer at Harvest Wine Outfitters, July 20th |
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We are looking for input from our members as to whether or not they would like to see Christmas parties take place in 2023. If you would like to see this happen, please send an email to admin@fsjchamber.com |
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FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT |
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Chambers Plan: Employee BenefitsMore than 30,000 small-to-midsize businesses choose the Chambers Plan Group Insurance to protect their employees |
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OFFICE HOURS
By appointment between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday and 9am to 3:30pm on Wednesdays Contact us by phone at 250-785-6037 or email to admin@fsjchamber.com |
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NEWS CLIPS British Columbia’s difficult-to-decarbonize commercial transportation sector is getting a hydrogen-powered boost toward the clean-transportation economy. The Province is providing $4 million to support the BC Hydrogen Ports Project (BCH2 Ports Project), one of the first of its kind in Canada. |
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Vancouver, BC – June 13, 2023 – The BC Hydrogen Office of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (the Ministry) and the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) have released the B.C. Hydrogen Regulatory Mapping Study. This study identifies the current gaps, opportunities, and barriers to establishing an efficient and effective regulatory framework for advancing clean hydrogen projects in British Columbia.
For further information contact CICE: info@cice.ca |
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The federal government is the largest purchaser in Canada, and most of the goods and services they purchase are from small and medium businesses. Join us for this free interactive series to learn from a procurement professional! Program Details
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Vancouver, BC – June 13, 2023 – The BC Hydrogen Office of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (the Ministry) and the BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) have released the B.C. Hydrogen Regulatory Mapping Study. This study identifies the current gaps, opportunities, and barriers to establishing an efficient and effective regulatory framework for advancing clean hydrogen projects in British Columbia.
For further information contact CICE: info@cice.ca
The federal government is the largest purchaser in Canada, and most of the goods and services they purchase are from small and medium businesses. Join us for this free interactive series to learn from a procurement professional! Program Details
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services visited communities from the Kootenays to the north coast to hear their priorities for Budget 2024. |
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From Road Safety at Work
You may have roadside workers (and safety duties) without realizing it Do your employees ever work along the roadside for any reason, from making a delivery or pickup to pulling over to make vehicle repairs or adjustments? If so, they’re considered roadside workers and you’ve got specific responsibilities for their safety. Revised traffic control rules require you to do a work zone risk assessment. The new ConeZoneBC.com provides practical information and checklists you can use to meet your legal responsibilities.
What it means for your business The law requires you to comply with Part 18 of WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. It was revised in December 2021, including changes to traffic control requirements and the use of traffic control persons.What you need to do when setting up a work zone Part 18 requires you to:· Do a risk assessment. Identify the potential hazards · Take steps to protect workers· Ensure workers know the hazards and how to protect themselvesHow Cone Zone helps you ConeZoneBC.com has brand new content and tips, including our Work Zone Planning Tool Kit, you can use to help meet your responsibilities and keep your staff safe. Cone Zone is a provincial initiative supported by the Work Zone Safety Alliance and managed by Road Safety at Work. |
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The Government of Canada is Making Investments to Champion Small Businesses and Support Their Export Journey |
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The following letter was sent to the Hon. Seamus O'Regan, P.C., M.P., Minister of Labour and the Honourable Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P., Minister of Transport, in response to the recent engagement on Labour Stability on Canada's West Coast.
June 13, 2023 Hon. Seamus O'Regan, P.C., M.P. Minister of Labour Email: seamus.oreqan@labour-travai l.gc.ca
Hon. Omar Alghabra, P.C., M.P. Minister of Transport Email: TC. MinisterofTransport-Ministredes Transports.TC@tc.ge,ca
Re: Federal Government Engagement on Labour Stability on Canada's West Coast
Dear Ministers:
We are expressing our alarm over the potential for a labour disruption that would affect ports in British Columbia, including the largest port in Canada, the Port of Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert respectively, to add another shock to our supply chain. The Supply Chain Task Force report noted that "wild swings in supply and demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as climate shocks {e.g., wildfires, floods) and growing geopolitical uncertainty, have put trade norms and flows at risk." The potential for a labour dispute adds to an already challenging situation.
The collective agreements between the BCMEA and ILWU Canada on behalf of the Longshore Locals and Local 514 Ship & Dock Foremen expired on March 31, 2023. We understand that either party could be in a position to strike or lock out as early as June 24. Such actions would disrupt west coast ports and have immediate impacts across Canada's already fragile supply chain in as little as two weeks. A breakdown in port operations would severely impact manufacturing, retail, agriculture, automotive dealers, and energy industries across the country.
On behalf of the Canadian business community, we request the government's active engagement with this bargaining process and that it be prepared to act to prevent a labour disruption. It is imperative that the federal government work with the parties to secure an affordable, stable, and efficient supply chain.
Canadians and businesses alike require stability in our supply chains. According to the Canadian Chamber's Business Data Lab, nearly a quarter of businesses have stated that supply chain issues will continue to remain a key obstacle to growth and that they expect these challenges to persist well into next year. A labour disruption will have a significant and immediate impact on the livelihoods of Canadians and the health of Canadian businesses that rely on the safe and efficient flow of Canadian goods.
As Canada's largest gateway, Canada's west coast ports handle over $500 million worth of cargo, including agri-foods, perishable goods, potash, critical minerals and household necessities, every day. Approximately sixteen percent of Canada's total traded goods flow through our west coast terminals. The trade our west coast ports facilitate ensures critical products arrive in Canada and make their way to store shelves and our factories efficiently and affordably. Any work stoppage will damage the Canadian economy, fanning inflation and increasing costs for Canadians. Our exporting industries could face delays in getting their products to market, hampering their ability to earn income and secure global contracts that drive investment and support jobs here at home.
We respect the right to collective bargaining and believe sincerely that the best deals are reached at the table. Government must continue to work closely with all parties to reach an agreement to avoid a work stoppage. Canada's economy and our supply chains cannot afford another disruption. Government must be prepared to act immediately in the event bargaining breaks down. A functioning, efficient, reliable, and affordable supply chain is critical to Canada's economy. Combatting inflation, restoring price stability and strengthening our arrangements with countries in desperate need of stable, reliable trading partners require a dependable, predictable port system. Without stability, we will jeopardize the success and livelihoods of Canadians and their businesses and the growth and prosperity of our country and our allies.
Sincerely,
Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade |
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Final Weeks to Provide Input on Northern B.C. Transportation Gaps and Opportunities Survey |
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PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Northern Development is encouraging community organizations and the public to provide their input on transportation challenges and opportunities in the final weeks of a survey open until June 25, 2023 at northerndevelopment.bc.ca. The survey supports the Northern Inter-Community Transportation Study now underway. Survey respondents will be entered into a prize draw, with one $500 Visa gift card available to the winning online survey respondent. |
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