economy

Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)

B.C.’s minimum wage going up by $1.10 to $16.75 on June 1

Minister of Labour Harry Bains announced the increase Wednesday at a coffee shop in Victoria

Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, March 27, 2023. Economists and geopolitical experts say this week’s federal budget is confirmation that the Trudeau government sees the future of Canadian trade as relying more on allied countries, even if it is results in more expensive goods. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Ottawa is going all in on ‘friendshoring.’ Here’s what that could mean.

Canada set to deepen economics ties with certain allies

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, March 27, 2023. Economists and geopolitical experts say this week’s federal budget is confirmation that the Trudeau government sees the future of Canadian trade as relying more on allied countries, even if it is results in more expensive goods. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A man walks though a downtown Toronto office building with other buildings reflected in a window in this June 11, 2019 photo. The future of Canada’s social safety net is pending after the federal budget made no mention of employment insurance reform, despite the Liberals having promised to modernize the program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

As economy slows, Feds push off EI reform over worries it could drive up premiums

Expanding eligibility prior to a recession would be costly for the government

A man walks though a downtown Toronto office building with other buildings reflected in a window in this June 11, 2019 photo. The future of Canada’s social safety net is pending after the federal budget made no mention of employment insurance reform, despite the Liberals having promised to modernize the program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
Na’moks, a spokesman for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, holds a press conference in Smithers, B.C., Tuesday, Jan.7, 2020, on the one-year anniversary of RCMP enforcement of an injunction granted to Coastal GasLink. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amy Smart

Banks face rising shareholder pressure through climate resolutions as AGMs loom

Critics say banks’ climate action going too slow

Na’moks, a spokesman for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, holds a press conference in Smithers, B.C., Tuesday, Jan.7, 2020, on the one-year anniversary of RCMP enforcement of an injunction granted to Coastal GasLink. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amy Smart
According to Statistics Canada, inflation in B.C. stayed at 6.2 per cent in February 2023 relative to January. While prices at the pumps dropped, rents rose. Inflation dropped across Canada to 5.2 per cent in February, down from 5.9 per cent in January. (Black Press Media File)

Can it get any worse? 33% in B.C. expect they’ll face even more financial woes in 2024

Inflation also remains sticky in BC at 6.2 per cent in February, while down across Canada

According to Statistics Canada, inflation in B.C. stayed at 6.2 per cent in February 2023 relative to January. While prices at the pumps dropped, rents rose. Inflation dropped across Canada to 5.2 per cent in February, down from 5.9 per cent in January. (Black Press Media File)
Most British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during the looming recession, but almost 90 per cent say they are too tired to be on the look out for scam, according to a survey from RBC. (Pixabay photo)

B.C. residents worried fraud risk growing and they’re too weary to be more careful

Two of three British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during recession than during COVID-19: RBC

Most British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during the looming recession, but almost 90 per cent say they are too tired to be on the look out for scam, according to a survey from RBC. (Pixabay photo)
Artemis Gold has received provincial approval for its open-pit Gold mine some 112 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof (Photo Courtesy of Artemis Gold)

Northern B.C. gold mine gets provincial approval after 7 years of consideration

Artemis Gold Thursday (March 9) received approval for its Blackwater Mine project

Artemis Gold has received provincial approval for its open-pit Gold mine some 112 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof (Photo Courtesy of Artemis Gold)
A report from Destination Vancouver predicts that the demand for hotel rooms in the City of Vancouver will start outstripping supply in 2026, in Metro Vancouver by 2030 with consequences for the rest of the province. (Photo courtesy of James Smith)

No Vacancy: Lack of hotels in Vancouver could bring loss of $31B by 2050, report says

Hotel industry leader to discuss predicted hotel room shortage at industry conference in Kelowna

A report from Destination Vancouver predicts that the demand for hotel rooms in the City of Vancouver will start outstripping supply in 2026, in Metro Vancouver by 2030 with consequences for the rest of the province. (Photo courtesy of James Smith)
Eleven-year-old Ian Milos, shown in a family handout photo, was infected with COVID-19 two years ago and was diagnosed with long COVID by a pediatrician last fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Report says long COVID could impact economy and be ‘mass disabling event’ in Canada

It’s becoming clear COVID-19 raises risk of chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension

Eleven-year-old Ian Milos, shown in a family handout photo, was infected with COVID-19 two years ago and was diagnosed with long COVID by a pediatrician last fall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
The provincial government has tabled legislation to ensure gender-pay transparency but critics say it does not go far enough. (Pexels/Contributed)

B.C. employers will have to report pay ranges as part of gender-gap legislation

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy introduces the legislation one day before International Women’s Day

The provincial government has tabled legislation to ensure gender-pay transparency but critics say it does not go far enough. (Pexels/Contributed)
BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon calls on government to approve outstanding LNG projects to help Europe find alternative energy forms as the world marks the one-year-anniversary of Russia’s attack on Feb. 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

B.C. has ‘obligation’ to help Europe find alternative forms of energy: Falcon

Falcon made the statement as world marks one-year-anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine

BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon calls on government to approve outstanding LNG projects to help Europe find alternative energy forms as the world marks the one-year-anniversary of Russia’s attack on Feb. 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Workers load off boxes containing frozen beefs from a truck for a restaurant at the shopping mall in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2023. Chinese economic officials expressed confidence Monday, March 6, 2023 they can meet this year’s growth target of "around 5%" by generating 12 million new jobs and encouraging consumer spending following the end of anti-virus controls that kept millions of people at home. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Chinese planners promise 12 million jobs, economic rebound

Chinese economic officials expressed confidence Monday they can meet this year’s growth…

Workers load off boxes containing frozen beefs from a truck for a restaurant at the shopping mall in Beijing on Feb. 27, 2023. Chinese economic officials expressed confidence Monday, March 6, 2023 they can meet this year’s growth target of "around 5%" by generating 12 million new jobs and encouraging consumer spending following the end of anti-virus controls that kept millions of people at home. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau has called on government to launch a pilot project for a four-day workweek without any changes in pay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Should B.C. move to a 4-day work week? A look inside the debate

Provincial minister of labour Harry Bains says there no plans to change existing labour laws

BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau has called on government to launch a pilot project for a four-day workweek without any changes in pay. (Black Press Media file photo)
Fiona Famulak, chief executive officer of the BC Chamber of Commerce, is calling the provincial budget a ‘missed opportunity’ to help address the costs of doing business in B.C.

B.C. new ‘C-’ budget smacked by province’s top business organizations

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, BC Chamber of Commerce lament lack of support

Fiona Famulak, chief executive officer of the BC Chamber of Commerce, is calling the provincial budget a ‘missed opportunity’ to help address the costs of doing business in B.C.
Fiona Famulak, chief executive officer of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, is calling on the provincial government to take “urgent” and “decisive” actions to cut the cost of doing business in B.C. (Photo courtesy of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce).

Health tax changes, expedited permitting top B.C. Chamber of Commerce’s wish list

CEO Fiona Famulak calls on government to raise EHT threshold, cut permitting times

Fiona Famulak, chief executive officer of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, is calling on the provincial government to take “urgent” and “decisive” actions to cut the cost of doing business in B.C. (Photo courtesy of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce).
This combination photo shows hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau this spring. As of Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau has 23 open employment positions, some with multiple vacancies within them according to the CBJ website. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire)

Plans to fix B.C.’s labour shortage are good – but not bold enough: economist

Rick Cotton says B.C. needs to raise its labour participation force

This combination photo shows hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau this spring. As of Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau has 23 open employment positions, some with multiple vacancies within them according to the CBJ website. (Peter Segall/ Juneau Empire)
The provincial government forecasts more than one million jobs to open up with the next decade. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

B.C. needs to fill more than 1 million jobs within 10 years: report

Latest B.C. Labour Market Outlook says immigration needed as retirements, economy will fuel demand

The provincial government forecasts more than one million jobs to open up with the next decade. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will become a paid statutory holiday in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. making National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a paid stat holiday

Provincial legislature passed first reading of new legislation Tuesday morning (Feb. 7)

Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will become a paid statutory holiday in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
People shop for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Canada’s inflation rate was up 8.1 per cent in June compared with a year ago, its largest yearly change since January 1983. Statistics Canada will release its November reading of gross domestic product this morning.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian economy grew slightly in November, expected to slow further

High interest rates already showing signs of slowing spending

People shop for produce at the Granville Island Market in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Canada’s inflation rate was up 8.1 per cent in June compared with a year ago, its largest yearly change since January 1983. Statistics Canada will release its November reading of gross domestic product this morning.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
TransAlta wind turbines are shown at a wind farm near Pincher Creek, Alta., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. The rural municipality, located between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge, is the poster child for Alberta’s renewable energy boom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta landowners fear repeat of orphan well crisis as renewable energy booms

Many small municipalities, not oil companies were the ones left hurting last time

TransAlta wind turbines are shown at a wind farm near Pincher Creek, Alta., Wednesday, March 9, 2016. The rural municipality, located between the cities of Calgary and Lethbridge, is the poster child for Alberta’s renewable energy boom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh