Re: Ironworkers outraged after Quebec company wins B.C. Place Stadium roof contract (DCN, Nov. 4) I think that David Klassen and his letter in response to this article (Time to stop crying over BC Place contract) just shows that ignorance is bliss. I find it disturbing that more people do not have a problem with [...]

The B.C. Liberal government’s plan to combine the provincial and federal sales taxes into a broader 12-per-cent harmonized sales tax got a rough ride from the public during recent budget consultations by the legislature committee on finance. The report on those consultations, released Friday, highlighted support for the tax from exporters, business leaders, the resource [...]

Most of us like our jobs, but can we say we work for the best company in the province? BC Business Magazine’s annual Best Companies to Work for in B.C. survey is open to all comers, and this year more than 100 employers submitted an entry. From the 96 eligible companies they whittled it down [...]

Small businesses in B.C. were among the most confident about their business performance for the coming year, according to November’s business barometer index by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. B.C. had the third highest index score in the country at 72.9, below New Brunswick’s 73 and Newfoundland and Labrador’s 74.9. Canada’s average in November [...]

Concern that the province’s economy is worse now than it was three months ago is expected to reduce British Columbians’ spending this holiday season, according to a new RBC index. The RBC Canadian consumer outlook index found that B.C.’s residents are among the least optimistic about their local economy with 46% saying it’s worse now [...]

Canadians are among the world’s most engaged employees, according to a global Right Management survey of workers in 15 industrialized countries. More than 40% of the 2,000 Canadians surveyed said they were engaged and committed to their jobs and their organizations, compared to 34% of global respondents to the survey. Being fairly rewarded for their [...]

Despite a year of economic uncertainty and volatile stock markets, Canadians intend to maintain contributions to RRSPs this year, according to an Investor’s Group survey released Tuesday. More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) plan to contribute the same amount or more to their RRSP than they did last year. Of the 24% of Canadians who [...]

The RCMP is warning merchants to be aware of increased counterfeit and fraudulent activity this holiday season. It is launching a fraud prevention program in partnership with the Bank of Canada, Interac, various members of the Canadian Bankers Association and other law enforcement agencies aimed at helping merchants stay aware of the latest trends in [...]

Moody’s Investors Service has confirmed the province’s triple-A credit rating, Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced Wednesday. According to Moody’s credit report, “The province’s record of managing fiscal pressures and the significant debt reduction achieved in recent years has put British Columbia in a strong position to face current fiscal challenges.” In September’s B.C. budget update, [...]

While Canada’s employment level has remained relatively stable in the past six months, the quality of employment has dropped significantly, according to a report by CIBC World Markets. CIBC’s employment quality index has fallen 3.8% in the past six months even though the employment rate has fallen only 0.2%. The index measures the distribution of [...]

British Columbia’s transition to a Harmonized Sales Tax will be a good thing for most Penticton businesses, according to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce. Chairing a panel on the controversial new tax, Jon Garson, vice-president of policy development for the B.C. Chamber, said that the provincial chamber had been calling on the B.C. government to [...]

The federal home renovation tax credit has helped stem the decline of home renovations in B.C. according to a new survey by RBC Financial Group. According to the survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid, about 65% of B.C. homeowners plan to renovate their homes over the next two years, down from 69% in 2008. But the figures [...]

Starting today, Canadian credit union Servus is handing out CDN 200,000 in ten-dollar bills, giving 20,000 people the opportunity to create a Feel Good Ripple by giving that money to someone else. Servus is asking customers “How will you use ten dollars to make someone’s day?” Suggestions include ‘buy flowers for the grocery store cashier’, [...]

Canadians who are high-volume sellers of products on the online eBay marketplace may find themselves being audited by the Canada Revenue Agency beginning this fall. Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said Thursday anyone who has sold products on the Web site could avoid audits, fines and penalties by voluntarily coming forward and declaring the revenue to [...]

Victoria has released its proposed transition rules for the harmonized sales tax (HST) set to replace the province’s existing sales tax regime July 1, 2010. Generally, the HST will begin to apply on May 1, 2010 for any prepayment of goods and services provided on or after July 1, 2010. Businesses, however, will need to [...]