Publications

Manufacturing is a growth story for the BC economy over the last 10 years and is punching above its weight in terms of our export portfolio, generating new income for the provincial economy. The latest Policy Perspectives, details economic facts, figures and trends, as well as sectoral breakdowns and cross provincial comparisons, relevant to BC’s $50 billion resource and non-resource manufacturing activities. It also provides some cautionary advice relative to key competitive headwinds facing this element of our economy - which makes up 7% of provincial GDP and over 170,000 jobs.

On the lookout for the hottest in job trends? We've got the latest on the updated Labour Market Outlook, 2017 - 2027 Edition by WorkBC.

In an environment of heightened uncertainty about NAFTA and steep tax cuts south of the border that have made the United States a more attractive place to invest capital, Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s 2018 Budget focuses on expanding social supports, addressing gender issues, improving life for Indigenous Peoples, and dialing up innovation.

Many B.C. businesses will be scrambling to adjust to significantly higher payroll costs.

The 2015 Paris accord is the latest installment of multilateral agreements aimed at addressing the rising concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the earth’s atmosphere. Paris flows from the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Amid an improving external backdrop, BC’s economic expansion remains on a healthy course with little on the horizon to suggest this will change over the next couple of years.

WorkSafeBC has set its assessment rates for 2018, and the news is generally positive for employers in the province.

You are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. So, what is it — and in what ways may it transform life as we know it?

The British Columbia economy remains on a healthy growth track, supported by rising exports, substantial increases in consumer spending, and high levels of activity in the housing sector.

In the case of environmental indicators and performance measures, factors such as geography, population, and economic structure matter a lot. These are mostly ignored and assumed to be the same across all advanced economy jurisdictions in published analyses concerning environmental progress of Canada and its provinces/territoriesn, making comparisons of true performance difficult.

To build a more prosperous and innovative economy, new businesses have to be created and some existing firms must grow.

This report, prepared for the Business Council by Kerry Jothen, CEO of Human Capital Strategies, considers BC’s future – what its economic vision should be and what kind of human capital will be needed in the next two decades. It considers how public policy and other factors can support success and prosperity in this arena. This includes a high-level review of current relevant policies and programs – what needs to be changed, enhanced and expanded, and what new actions need to be considered.

BC and Alberta have especially strong economic connections and exhibit a high degree of economic interdependence.

After more than 16 years in opposition, the NDP government introduced its first budget earlier this week. More accurately, Finance Minister Carole James unveiled a Budget Update, with the more comprehensive budget and fleshed out fiscal plan to come next February.

There has been a renewed interest, on the part of the federal and some provincial governments, in employment standards and labour law reform. In part, this reflects greater public concern over inequality, the growth of "precarious" employment, and the impact of technological innovation on the job market.

The new NDP government is considering options for management of species at risk in BC, and has signalled an intention to introduce stand-alone species at risk legislation. The Business Council supports the idea in-principle, but we urge the government to take time to explore the best options for ensuring effective management of species while also maintaining the province’s competitiveness and a vibrant natural resource sector.

The BC economy remains healthy, with nearly all sectors contributing to the ongoing expansion. The momentum from last year is carrying forward more so than previously anticipated, prompting us to adjust our 2017 forecast upwards.

In light of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations this year, there will be many conversations about innovative, exciting ideas to advance national and regional prosperity. During these discussions, it is important not to lose sight of the less exciting—but vital—work of tending to our policy frameworks so that British Columbians are well prepared to succeed amid shifting economic, technological and labour market realities.

As a small market jurisdiction, exports of both goods and services are the foundation of the BC economy. Selling goods and services to other markets provides income from external sources, which in turn enables BC households and businesses to purchase and pay for a vast array of imports. Growing BC export-capable industries is critical to raising real incomes and boosting prosperity in the long term.

In November 2017, the BC Ministry of Environment is set to update the Contaminated Sites Regulation. This is the most significant change to the CSR since its inception in April 1997.