Site C Project – Procurement Process & Business Opportunities
BC Hydro held a round of business information sessions in five cities around the province this past fall to highlight the Site C Dam project.  A key theme for businesses is the opportunities available. Businesses can benefit, either as direct contractors to BC Hydro or as part of a larger team participating in a work package.  Additionally, procurements will be conducted in an open, fair and competitive process.  Businesses should review materials on the Site C website  to familiarize themselves with the project, and they should sign up to the Site C Business Directory. This will provide registrants with email alerts for procurements – once they are posted on BC Bid – and the directory would also be shared with all successful contractors.

Cities Summit
Developing cities in a manner that combines economic opportunity and sustainability is the 21st century’s greatest challenge.  It is also an unprecedented business opportunity for those that move quickly to shape this new reality. The Cities Summit, hosted by Vancouver, will assemble entrepreneurs, major financial institutions, corporations and forward thinking mayors in February 2012. It is designed to explore the creative, business-oriented opportunities required for a sustainable and prosperous urban future.

Communities in Bloom
Each year over 30 British Columbian communities use this dynamic program to increase their desirability for visitors, investment and residents.  Communities in Bloom influences positive results by enhancing the visual appeal and environmental practices of streetscapes, neighbourhoods and greenspaces. Participants collaborate with citizens, local government, business and service clubs to focus on specific evaluation criteria.

9th Annual Successful You Awards
This province-wide contest recognizes and celebrates the important contributions of BC’s entrepreneurs to their local communities and the wider global economy. The awards contest is free to enter and open to all new and existing small businesses across BC The top 10 finalists for each category have been selected, and winners of the awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony  on February 28th, 2012 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver.

Province launches online budget simulator-My BC Budget
VICTORIA – Finance Minister Falcon has launched a new website that invites British Columbians to balance the budget for 2013-14. The My BC Budget website  lets people see the effect of raising and lowering revenues and spending, and send in their solutions to the finance minister with comments.
Specialization.

Hiring credit for Small Business (HCSB)
The 2011 federal budget created a hiring credit for small business (HCSB), a one-time credit intended to stimulate new employment and support small businesses.  The HCSB gives small businesses relief from the employer’s share of employment insurance (EI) premiums paid in 2011.

Importer/Exporter Profiles: Statistics Canada
A profile of Canadian Exporters, 1996 to 2009 – A Profile of Canadian Importers, 2002 to 2009 highlights, tables or full reports.

Ms. Findlay mentioned other topics of concern at the federal level, leading up to the March 2012 federal budget — some were identified in a joint session of Delta Richmond-East and Richmond Members of Parliament with the Delta and Richmond Chambers of Commerce on January 16, 2012 (more information at http://tinyurl.com/883b6ks).

The issues include, among others, exports and exporting, need for research and development in business and support of it, skills training, reducing red tape for businesses and keeping taxes low.

She stressed that business leaders and community residents alike are encouraged to submit their advice and opinions to the federal Department of Finance as it prepares the budget:  http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp

Ms. Findlay, as Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, also gave a summary of current legislation related to the justice system and the basic purpose of that legislation.

Watch for full coverage of this presentation on Delta TV, and a report in the Delta Optimist.

Here are some excerpts from Ms. Findlay’s presentation as it relates to the riding and pre-budget planning priorities:

Vignettes of presentation by Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MP, QC, Parliamentary Secretary for Minister of Justice and Attorney General to the Delta Chamber of Commerce on current federal legislation related to the justice system in Canada:

Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s summary of legislation to make streets, families and communities safer by taking a tougher stance on child sexual offenders, crack down on illegal drug trafficking, and improve the overall efficiency of the judicial system: >>click here>>

Summary of the presentation as reported in the Delta Optimist, January 27, 2012: >>click here>>

Here are some links to information about current legislation mentioned by Kerry-Lynne Findlay in her presentation:

• Bill C-13 – Strengthening and Updating the Criminal Law http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2008/doc_32260.html
• SAFE STREETS AND COMMUNITIES ACT (BILL C-10) http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2011/doc_32684.html
• LEGISLATION TO STAND UP FOR VICTIMS OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME COMES INTO FORCE http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2011/doc_32662.html 

Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., M.P., (left) and Hon. Alice Wong, M.P. at Delta Chamber and Richmond Chamber joint pre-budget meeting -- photo courtesy of the Richmond Review

In preparation for the March 2012 federal budget Delta Chamber of Commerce and Richmond Chamber of Commerce representatives met with local Members of Parliament, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., Delta Richmond-East, and Minister of State for Seniors Hon. Alice Wong, Richmond, on January 16th.

Some of the main concerns identified by the business people in the session related to the productivity of Canadian companies and competitiveness of Canada in world markets,on points such as:

• expensive, time consuming government red tape
• crime in our industrial parks and elsewhere
• need for job training
• more investment in research and development
• transportation issues
• dredging of the Fraser River – a concern shared by both communities, and vastly underfunded compared to maintenance of the St. Lawrence Seaway
• the lengthy visa process to get foreign professionals into the country and recognizing foreign credentials
• seniors housing

Canadians are invited to submit their advice and opinion to the federal Department of Finance at: http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp

Ms. Findlay, who is also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, mentioned her government’s emphasis on the “victim” of crimes and the Omnibus Bill on crime, expected to be enacted in March or April, which includes, among many features:

• a mega trials bill to enable the trial of organized crime offenders together in one trial to reduce the burden on the overtaxed justice system
• bill to address victims of white collar crime (often seniors), leading to minimum sentencing and stronger penalties
• bill to address chronic repeat youth offenders

Hear more from Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., M.P. when she speaks at the Delta Chamber of Commerce business networking luncheon on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at the Delta Town and Country Inn. For more information and to register >>click here>>

This was some of the advice presented at the “Small Business Strategies for Marketing in the USA” breakfast seminar on January 18, 2012 at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn.

Jim Pettinger, of International Market Access, Inc. in Ferndale WA, and Misty Gibbons, of Pacific Customs Brokers USA, in Blaine WA, talked about the USA Market Place, Sales and Marketing Strategies, Canada USA Distribution/Logistics and Brokerage and Cross Border Lessons. Below are some highlights of the points they covered in the session.

International Market Access, Inc.
freight management, warehousing, fulfillment, returns/repairs
Tel: 360.380.6900
Fax: 360.380.1161
Cell: 604.308.2450
Website: www.UCanTrade.com
Mail USA: 1465 Slater Road, PO Box 5007 Ferndale, WA   98248-5007
Mail Canada: PO Box 94430 Richmond, BC  V6X 8A8

Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd.
101 – 17637 1st Avenue
Surrey, BC  V3S 9S1
Website: www.pcb.ca
Phone:     604.538.1566   Toll-Free: 888.538.1566
Fax: 604.538.3984    Toll-Free: 877.538.1166
Email:    info@pcb.ca for General Enquiries
seminars@pcb.ca for Seminar Information

The BC Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and all our partner chambers of commerce and boards of trade have long been fighting for trade barriers amongst provinces/territories to come down. Internal trade barriers create hurdles for all types of businesses trying to expand their markets within Canada.

If Canada cannot remove barriers internally how can we effectively trade with the
world?

The Delta Chamber of Commerce has joined other chambers in the province through the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce and other chambers in the country through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in adopting resolutions regarding this out-of-date statute.

These resolutions are one step closer to achieving their combined objective. Should the bill pass, it would become legal for Canadians to buy and ship wine directly from a Canadian winery outside of their home province/territory.

Conservative MP Dan Albas, of the BC riding of Okanagan – Coquihalla, is sponsoring a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) C-311, An Act to Amend the importation of intoxicating liquors Act (Interprovincial Importation of wine for personal use) to eliminate one of these internal trade barriers, in this case as it relates to sale of 100% Canadian wines.

Bill C-311 recently passed Second Reading in the House of Commons and has been
referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. Currently, the archaic 1928 Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act (IILA) makes it a criminal offence for individuals to
order or ship Canadian wine across provincial/territorial borders.

Your chamber of commerce and board of trade network continues to advocate that Canadians should have the freedom to buy a legal product and ship it within the country.

Filling out too many paper forms for employees? The federal government’s Records of Employment on the Web (ROE Web) is a secure Web-based application that allows employers to create, submit, and print ROEs online.

ROE Web benefits for businesses:

• Increases productivity and saves time – Employers can submit up to 1,200 ROEs at a time and amend them without having to re-enter all of the information.
• Reduces paper burden – Employers no longer need to order or store paper ROE forms, keep paper copies on fi le, or send copies to Service Canada. It is all done online!
• Filing flexibility – Using ROE Web allows employers to align ROE issuance with their pay cycle for easier submission.
• Improves ROE quality and accuracy – ROEs are instantly validated, which means fewer follow-up phone calls and requests for payroll information from Service Canada.
• Ease of use – An online training module is available to let users practice creating ROEs before submitting them to Service Canada.

To learn more about ROE Web and how to register, or to get answers to frequently asked questions, visit ROE Web or call the Employer Contact Centre at 1 800-367-5693 (TTY: 1-855-881-9874).

More than 11 million workers in the United States and Canada whose jobs depend on bilateral commerce, and the organizations which employee them, stand to gain from the long awaited joint declaration to improve border efficiency and regulatory cooperation by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama on December 7, 2011, entitled, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.

Your Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which is constantly speaking up for your organization and other Delta Chamber of Commerce members and chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada, played a key role in this outcome when it and the United States Chamber of Commerce made a joint submission to the Beyond the Border Working Group on improved border efficiency.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a vocal advocate of greater regulatory cooperation and border efficiency with the United States. This partnership through the Beyond the Border initiative will strengthen the economic and physical security of both countries and facilitate the flow of legitimate people and goods across the border.

The work of the Regulatory Cooperation Council strengthens the competitive position of U.S. and Canadian industries. Together, these two key reforms will spur economic growth and job creation in the United States and Canada and increase the competitiveness of both our economies.

What your chamber of commerce network achieved for you and Canadian businesses

The action plan in the December 7 joint announcement follows the February 4, 2011 declaration by the Canadian Prime Minister and Unites States President  to improve border efficiency and regulatory cooperation between the two nations. The plan is first step in fulfilling the commitment made in the declaration and addresses many long-standing issues identified by the Canadian Chamber as critical to health of the North American economy, including:

• The harmonization of inbound cargo screening
• The mutual recognition of passenger baggage screening for air mode
• The mutual recognition of air cargo screening with the goal of eliminating rescreening
• The expansion of the NEXUS program with increased benefits to program participants
• A common set of data elements for all modes of transport for advanced security screening
• A common set of data elements for in-transit and in-bond shipments
• The harmonization of PIP and C-TPAT and new benefits including the extension of FAST benefits to program participants by mid 2012
• Expanded preclearance operations, including full preclearance operations at Massena, N.Y.
• A one year pilot program run by CFIA and APHIS for certain meat products
• A commitment to negotiate by December 2012, a preclearance agreement for land, rail and marine modes
• A commitment to develop solutions to operational impediments to US CBP officers conducting preclearance at Canadian airports
• A common framework for trusted trader programs with expanded benefits for program participants
• Enhanced guidance and training for border agents
• The electronic reporting of customs requirements through a single window for all participating government departments and agencies by 2013
• The harmonization of low-value shipment processes to expedite customs administration
• The creation of a Border Infrastructure Investment Plan
• The development of a full inventory of border fees to better understand their economic impact and costs to the supply chain
• A commitment for better traffic management during border disruptions
• The alignment of regulations in key sectors, including transportation, agri-food and the environment.

What this means

Improving the functionality of the border will make North Americans more secure by focusing our limited security resources where they are most need. It will also improve the predictability of the border in terms of wait times, inspections, fees, service commitments and standards. Finally, better management of the border facilitates the movement of legitimate people and goods. A new, more modern and effective border policy will improve the competitiveness of North American businesses.

The rules governing the transition from HST back to PST will be made by the provincial government no later than March 31, 2012. For more information please refer to this powerpoint on the transition process.

Photography by
Blair Mann Photography & Design
Website:  www.blairmann.com
Email:  blair@blairmann.com
Tel:  604-720-6635

Time for networking

Dave Hamilton, Anne Peterson & Mark Sakai

Music Director of the Delta Community Music School Stephen Robb set the mood with seasonal selections

Santa's helper Linda Edwards

Pat Rogers, of the Delta Community Music School, challenges table teams on seasonal music

Delta Chamber Executive Director Peter Roaf plays Santa to thank chamber office & tourism volunteers

Best of the season from Ladner Travel and West Coast Seeds

Bob Allaby, Mapei

Delta Chamber and BC Chamber past president and Tsawwassen Rotary President, Leslie Abramson, and former Delta Chamber Director, Irene Forcier, of Reach and Ladner Rotary

Vicki Huntington MLA, Mark Sakai, Delta Museum & Archives and Brad Cooper, Ladner Business Association, Ladner Rotary

Andy Carter for event sponsor Thrifty Foods

Al Phillips and Bob Peterson, Piping Industry Apprenticeship Board