economics

A B.C. aquaculture facility. Black Press file photo

Industry report: not renewing B.C. salmon farm licenses comes with $1.2 billion cost

Economic analysis says 4,700 jobs depend on 79 licenses set to expire at the end of June

 

Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, says having more modestly priced housing in the area would help it attract and keep workers in the face of an aging workforce. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)

Better housing options needed, says Saanich Peninsula chamber boss

Al Smith says higher density in certain areas could lead to housing that workers could afford

 

The B.C. government announced that workers will be entitled to five paid sick days a year, beginning in January. Labour groups say the announcement falls short. Pictured here, a worker gathering shopping carts in a grocery store parking lot in March. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

B.C.’s 5 paid sick days fall short of ask for some; criticized as ‘gut punch’ by small business

Small business, meanwhile, say move ‘tone deaf’ to their realities

The B.C. government announced that workers will be entitled to five paid sick days a year, beginning in January. Labour groups say the announcement falls short. Pictured here, a worker gathering shopping carts in a grocery store parking lot in March. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
A woman and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat Abbotsford, British Columbia on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Officials in a small city near the Canada border are calling the damage devastating after a storm that dumped rain for days caused flooding and mudslides. City officials in Sumas, Washington said Tuesday that hundreds of people had been evacuated and estimated that 75% of homes had water damage. Just over the border, residents in about 1,100 rural homes in Abbotsford were told to evacuate as waterways started to rise quickly. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

B.C. storm disrupts supply chain, could have lasting impacts on economy: experts

All major highways between B.C.’s Lower Mainland and the Interior severed by severe rainfall

A woman and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat Abbotsford, British Columbia on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Officials in a small city near the Canada border are calling the damage devastating after a storm that dumped rain for days caused flooding and mudslides. City officials in Sumas, Washington said Tuesday that hundreds of people had been evacuated and estimated that 75% of homes had water damage. Just over the border, residents in about 1,100 rural homes in Abbotsford were told to evacuate as waterways started to rise quickly. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Vancouver Island Economic Summit will be entirely virtual again this year. Organizers had previously hoped to have a hybrid event in Nanaimo, but have now opted not to offer any in-person events as part of the summit. (News Bulletin file photo)

Vancouver Island Economic Summit decides on an all-virtual event

Originally intended as hybrid in-person event, this month’s summit will take place online again

The Vancouver Island Economic Summit will be entirely virtual again this year. Organizers had previously hoped to have a hybrid event in Nanaimo, but have now opted not to offer any in-person events as part of the summit. (News Bulletin file photo)
Dexter Macaisa, team lead for assembly process and development at Central Saanich’s Redlen Technologies, works on component of the company’s ground-breaking new CT technology. Canon recently paid $341 million to acquire the remaining 85 per cent of the company after having purchased 15 per cent earlier. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

CEO believes Central Saanich’s Redlen can hit $1 billion in revenue after purchase by Canon

Glenn Bindley also predicts that company will boost region’s high-tech reputation

Dexter Macaisa, team lead for assembly process and development at Central Saanich’s Redlen Technologies, works on component of the company’s ground-breaking new CT technology. Canon recently paid $341 million to acquire the remaining 85 per cent of the company after having purchased 15 per cent earlier. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry service, long a symbol of regional ties to the Pacific Northwest, won’t run until spring 2022 due to COVID-19. Sidney author and global analyst Michael Bociurkiw predicts negative consequences for the region if budget pressures lead to the service’s end. (Black Press Media File)

Sidney author laments weakening ties with Pacific Northwest, Asia

Michael Bociurkiw predicts region will continue to attract new domestic arrivals

The Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry service, long a symbol of regional ties to the Pacific Northwest, won’t run until spring 2022 due to COVID-19. Sidney author and global analyst Michael Bociurkiw predicts negative consequences for the region if budget pressures lead to the service’s end. (Black Press Media File)
Compared to November 2018, British Columbians have been earning more over the past 12 months, but still earn less than the corresponding figure (Black Press Media File).

Weekly earnings on the rise in B.C., but remain behind the rest of Canada

Non-farm payroll employees in British Columbia earned an average of $1,011 per week in November 2019

Compared to November 2018, British Columbians have been earning more over the past 12 months, but still earn less than the corresponding figure (Black Press Media File).