economy

New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changes promise to cut B.C. development negotiations, provide certainty

Legislation also reforms development cost charges giving municipalities more flexibility

New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s construction sector added 10,200 jobs in October as the provincial unemployment rate remained at 5.4 per cent. But available figures show. While the Thompson-Okanagan recorded the lowest unemployment rate with 3.2 per cent, the North Coast and Nechako region recorded an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s unemployment rate in October remains at 5.4%

Parts of northern and rural B.C. exceed provincial rate, while others are well below it

B.C.’s construction sector added 10,200 jobs in October as the provincial unemployment rate remained at 5.4 per cent. But available figures show. While the Thompson-Okanagan recorded the lowest unemployment rate with 3.2 per cent, the North Coast and Nechako region recorded an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

BC United promises to remove provincial taxes for cars and home heating

Freezing the carbon tax also pledged as part of series of pledges aimed reducing the cost of living

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Left-out B.C. to put the heat on Ottawa over heating oil rebates

T0 B.C.’s surprise, Ottawa to stop collecting federal carbon tax on home heating oil everywhere else

B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s new short-term rental regulations approved after colourful debate

Law limiting short-term rentals in some - but not all - B.C. communities passes

Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby says he makes no apologies for speaking on behalf of British Columbia about the effects of high interest rates. While he welcomed the Bank of Canada’s decision to hold the overnight rate at 5 per cent, he said many families remain on the edge because of the highest interest in more than two decades. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier applauds interest rate hold, says many B.C. families remain on edge

Eby says he will continue commenting on Bank of Canada decisions after interest rate held at 5%

Premier David Eby says he makes no apologies for speaking on behalf of British Columbia about the effects of high interest rates. While he welcomed the Bank of Canada’s decision to hold the overnight rate at 5 per cent, he said many families remain on the edge because of the highest interest in more than two decades. (Black Press Media file photo)
McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee, Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Josie Osborne were among the participants in a ceremony Wednesday as the province and the First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding for a $7 billion proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub. (Government of B.C./Flickr)

$7B B.C. energy hub would tap into controversial natural gas pipeline

Proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub in Northwest B.C. includes hydrogen, natural gas components

McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee, Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Josie Osborne were among the participants in a ceremony Wednesday as the province and the First Nation signed a memorandum of understanding for a $7 billion proposed Tse’khene energy transition hub. (Government of B.C./Flickr)
Low housing affordability in B.C. may be pushing construction workers out of province, according to the president of the British Columbia Construction Association. (Black Press Media file photo)

Construction industry fears drain as workers flee high cost of life in B.C.

British Columbia Construction Association also renew calls for prompt payment legislation

Low housing affordability in B.C. may be pushing construction workers out of province, according to the president of the British Columbia Construction Association. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Premier David Eby’s government tabled legislation Monday, Oct. 23 that would make it easier for foreign-trained professionals in several fields to enter the provincial workforce. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)

B.C. tables legislation to attract more foreign-trained workers

Proposed legislation drops ‘unfair and unnecessary’ work requirements, minister says

B.C. Premier David Eby’s government tabled legislation Monday, Oct. 23 that would make it easier for foreign-trained professionals in several fields to enter the provincial workforce. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)
A new study says B.C. tops Canada for the highest cost of living, taking into consideration factors such as buying and renting property, a plane ticket, public transportation, dental services, healthcare, clothing and hotel accommodation. A home is displayed for sale in a new housing development in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. has highest cost of living in Canada: Study

B.C. scored 79 out of 100, compared to Newfoundland and Labrador at just 20

A new study says B.C. tops Canada for the highest cost of living, taking into consideration factors such as buying and renting property, a plane ticket, public transportation, dental services, healthcare, clothing and hotel accommodation. A home is displayed for sale in a new housing development in Ottawa on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
After more than a year of high food inflation, families gathering this weekend to gobble Thanksgiving dinner may be feeling the pinch after their grocery shopping. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo

Canadians likely to spend more on Thanksgiving dinner this year

Statistics Canada reported last month that prices for food purchased from stores rose 6.9% in August

After more than a year of high food inflation, families gathering this weekend to gobble Thanksgiving dinner may be feeling the pinch after their grocery shopping. Kaicheng Xin/NNSL photo
The Canadian economy added more jobs than expected last month, but with the gains driven by a seasonal spike in education employment and an increase in part-time work, economists say the job market is weaker than it looks. Statistics Canada released its September labour force survey Friday morning (Oct. 6), which shows employment rose by 64,000 jobs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Economy adds 64K jobs in September, unemployment rate holds steady at 5.5%

Canada’s labour market has cooled over the last year as interest rates have risen

The Canadian economy added more jobs than expected last month, but with the gains driven by a seasonal spike in education employment and an increase in part-time work, economists say the job market is weaker than it looks. Statistics Canada released its September labour force survey Friday morning (Oct. 6), which shows employment rose by 64,000 jobs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A new poll shows more than four of 10 surveyed British Columbians say they are in the worse financial shape this year than at the same time last year with more economic bad news on the horizon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

4-in-10 British Columbians in worse money shape than a year ago: poll

Almost 60 per cent expect B.C. to enter a recession within 12 months

A new poll shows more than four of 10 surveyed British Columbians say they are in the worse financial shape this year than at the same time last year with more economic bad news on the horizon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
British Columbia's projected deficit in the 2023-2024 fiscal year has grown by more than $2 billion from original estimates to reach almost $7 billion. Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy arrives to the podium during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Record-breaking wildfires inflate forecasted B.C. deficit to $6.7 billion

Finance minister says fire fight cost nearly $1B, predicts declining new housing starts

British Columbia's projected deficit in the 2023-2024 fiscal year has grown by more than $2 billion from original estimates to reach almost $7 billion. Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy arrives to the podium during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The provincial unemployment rate dropped in August, but economic headwinds are on the horizon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Provincial unemployment drops, but economic struggles on the horizon

B.C.’s unemployment dropped to 5.2 per cent in August: StatsCan

The provincial unemployment rate dropped in August, but economic headwinds are on the horizon. (Black Press Media file photo)
Members of the media watch Russia's President Vladimir Putin address via videolink the 2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Iran, Saudi Arabia to join China and Russia in the BRICS economic bloc

6 nations invited to join in move that could double membership

Members of the media watch Russia's President Vladimir Putin address via videolink the 2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Taylor Swift performs during her 1989 World Tour in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Companies marketing themselves in connection with Swift’s future swing through Canada might see an afterglow that outlives the pop star’s handful of shows in the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Taylor Swift’s multi-billion-dollar tour meets Canadian capitalism

Pop star’s Toronto stops create opportunities, risks for brands tied to show: marketers

Taylor Swift performs during her 1989 World Tour in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Companies marketing themselves in connection with Swift’s future swing through Canada might see an afterglow that outlives the pop star’s handful of shows in the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is launching an examination of the recently resolved British Columbia port dispute to see if “structural issues” in negotiations led to a 13-day work stoppage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Minister launches review of B.C. port strike looking for ‘structural issues’

Goal: ‘harmonious working environment’ between unions and employers in future collective bargaining

Gantry cranes sit idle as a container ship is docked at port during a work stoppage, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is launching an examination of the recently resolved British Columbia port dispute to see if “structural issues” in negotiations led to a 13-day work stoppage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Greater Vancouver is one of the three most unequal regions in Canada by one measure according to new figures from StatsCan, which show the median-income of British Columbians down in 2021 for the first time in years. (virani.ca)

British Columbians have less money in their pockets: StatsCan

Median income down for the first time in five years while inequality is rising

Greater Vancouver is one of the three most unequal regions in Canada by one measure according to new figures from StatsCan, which show the median-income of British Columbians down in 2021 for the first time in years. (virani.ca)
A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver on Friday, July 14, 2023. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has released the new terms of the agreement that resolved British Columbia's port dispute, including a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Longshore workers get 5, 5, 4 and 4% wage hikes in new 4-year port deal

Terms of new contract that resolved British Columbia port dispute released

A transport truck carries a cargo container to the Centerm Container Terminal at port in Vancouver on Friday, July 14, 2023. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has released the new terms of the agreement that resolved British Columbia's port dispute, including a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck