economy

E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)

New provincial program rings up to $1,400 in rebates for e-bikes

Most British Columbians, however, will only be eligible for $350 rebate

E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)
The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)

AI opens up ‘incredible opportunities’ for B.C.: Eby

He acknowledged AI’s potential for ‘disruption’ as BC Greens calls for AI task force

The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)
B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Eby says Asia trade mission a way to ‘protect’ B.C. from geopolitical tensions

Stops on trade tour include Japan, South Korea and Singapore

B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)

Vancouver biotech company plans $701M expansion, with $300M coming from government

AbCellera recognized globally in 2020 when it launched the first antibody trial to fight COVID-19

An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)
A new report from Moody’s Investor Service gives B.C. the best possible credit rating, but also warns of higher costs connected to fires and floods. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. maintains top AAA credit rating in latest assessment

But Moody’s also warns of higher costs connected to climate change and trade interruptions

A new report from Moody’s Investor Service gives B.C. the best possible credit rating, but also warns of higher costs connected to fires and floods. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)
Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards operates within the federally-owned Esquimalt Graving Dock. The company has welcomed new funding to improve B.C.’s maritime infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Seaspan).

B.C. announces $25M to shore up marine infrastructure

New Maritime Industries Strategy looks to modernize, reduce carbon emissions

Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards operates within the federally-owned Esquimalt Graving Dock. The company has welcomed new funding to improve B.C.’s maritime infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Seaspan).
British Columbia, which opened a new trade office in Vietnam’s Binh Duong province to promote wood products in 2022, has identified Vietnam along with Mexico and Taiwan as new valuable markets under the Trade Diversification Strategy. (Photo courtesy of Government of British Columbia)

Chamber applauds B.C.’s new trade strategy with Mexico, Vietnam and Taiwan

B.C. set to open trade offices in Taiwan and Mexico

British Columbia, which opened a new trade office in Vietnam’s Binh Duong province to promote wood products in 2022, has identified Vietnam along with Mexico and Taiwan as new valuable markets under the Trade Diversification Strategy. (Photo courtesy of Government of British Columbia)
Housing in B.C. would become more affordable if governments were to charge a small annual property surtax of between 0.2 and one per cent on homes valued over $1 million. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tax shelter fuels ‘cultural addiction’ to high and rising home prices: advocate

Generation Squeeze founder Paul Kershaw calls for small surtax on homes valued over $1 million

Housing in B.C. would become more affordable if governments were to charge a small annual property surtax of between 0.2 and one per cent on homes valued over $1 million. (Black Press Media file photo)
Grand Forks is among several communities across B.C. bracing for more flooding. (Robert Linden Photography)

With B.C. regions on flood watch, residents asked to remain ‘vigilant’ and prepared

Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry monitoring for any closures

Grand Forks is among several communities across B.C. bracing for more flooding. (Robert Linden Photography)
FILE – Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says he doesn’t plan to run for re-election. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Province touts micro-credentials in latest post-secondary education funding

British Columbians can receive up to $3,500 to take short-term courses in 400 programs

FILE – Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says he doesn’t plan to run for re-election. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
Writers Guild of America West member Victor Duenas pickets with others at an entrance to Paramount Pictures, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that already is leading most late-night shows to air reruns. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Writers strike looks to be a long fight, as Hollywood braces

Hollywood writers picketing to preserve pay and job security outside major studios…

Writers Guild of America West member Victor Duenas pickets with others at an entrance to Paramount Pictures, Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. The first Hollywood strike in 15 years began Tuesday as the economic pressures of the streaming era prompted unionized TV and film writers to picket for better pay outside major studios, a work stoppage that already is leading most late-night shows to air reruns. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
(Black Press Media Creative)

ESPN announces layoffs as part of cost cutting by Disney

ESPN began informing employees of layoffs Monday, which are job cuts that…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Michael Goehring, President of the Mining Association of B.C., says a new survey shows that the public digs the industry because of its role in fighting climate change.

Critical mineral chase may be opening B.C. up to new mining opportunities

Climate change has changed ‘conversation’ about mining in B.C., says head of industry association

Michael Goehring, President of the Mining Association of B.C., says a new survey shows that the public digs the industry because of its role in fighting climate change.
Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers love their EVs, but many worry about long road trips: BCAA survey

Survey notes 67% still own gas vehicles for longer journeys

Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)
Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. drivers love their EVs, but many worry about long road trips: BCAA survey

Survey notes 67% still own gas vehicles for longer journeys

Access to public charging stations has increased, but concerns about their availability remain.(Black Press Media file photo)
A rendering of the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, located to the northwest of the existing Roberts Bank terminals in Delta. Ottawa has approved the project subject to 370 legally binding conditions to protect the environment, including to prevent harm to local species, but environmentalists fear the worst. (Port of Vancouver image)

Ottawa cites jobs, capacity, approves B.C.’s Roberts Bank Terminal 2 port expansion

Approval of port expansion a ‘death sentence’ for southern resident killer whales: environmentalist

A rendering of the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, located to the northwest of the existing Roberts Bank terminals in Delta. Ottawa has approved the project subject to 370 legally binding conditions to protect the environment, including to prevent harm to local species, but environmentalists fear the worst. (Port of Vancouver image)
Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy said she is glad to see inflation go down, adding government remains in discussion with Ottawa about housing.

Inflation trending down in B.C., but housing costs up thanks to rising interest on mortgages

The Bank of Canada is holding the interest rate at 4.5%

Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy said she is glad to see inflation go down, adding government remains in discussion with Ottawa about housing.
Iglika Ivanova, senior economist and public interest researcher at Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office, calls the dental plan part of this year’s federal budget a significant investment but laments the lack of money for housing and infrastructure. (Courtesy of Unsplash)

Underfunded transit systems, combatting ‘sky-high’ rent missing in federal budget

Dental program will benefit many lower-income British Columbians but more help is needed

Iglika Ivanova, senior economist and public interest researcher at Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, BC Office, calls the dental plan part of this year’s federal budget a significant investment but laments the lack of money for housing and infrastructure. (Courtesy of Unsplash)
The latest report from the Angus Reid Institute indicates a third of Canadians are describing their financial situation as ‘bad’ or ‘terrible’ is the cost of living crisis continues. (Black Press Media file photo)

A third of Canadians in ‘bad’ or ‘terrible’ financial shape: report

The latest data from the Angus Reid Report shows the cost of living crisis continues nation-wide

The latest report from the Angus Reid Institute indicates a third of Canadians are describing their financial situation as ‘bad’ or ‘terrible’ is the cost of living crisis continues. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Black Press Media creative)

As India’s population soars above all, fewer women have jobs

Sheela Singh cried the day she handed in her resignation. For 16…

(Black Press Media creative)