WorkShoppers Online

Abbotsford had fastest growing economy in Canada in '05

The Fraser Valley is enjoying record growth, with the value of building permits in Abbotsford climbing to $226 million during the first five months of the year, up from $148 million in the same period of 2005.  "Land constraints in the inner-core communities in the Greater Vancouver area and the scarcity of land and affordability is driving people out to the Valley," Abbotsford's economic development manager Jay Teichroeb said in an interview.  Full article here, June 2006.

Film School spotlights surge in scholarships

Vancouver Film School has $200,000 in scholarships -- twice the amount it had last year -- available for students from Western Canada.  School recruiters are currently on the B.C. leg of their search for eager, talented students. They saw 23 potential students in Prince George Tuesday, 45 in Kelowna Wednesday, and will visit Victoria today and Vancouver Friday. They then travel to Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton for sessions in early April.  Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000, based on three criteria.  Source.

Province lures grads with student aid

The provincial government plans to dole out nearly $2 million annually in new scholarships, research fellowships and student loan repayments to entice talent to the B.C. public service.  The plan will have a major impact in the Greater Victoria area where about 12,000 of B.C.'s approximately 30,000 public servants live and work. It will cost $1.75 million in the first year. Campbell said the new incentives are part of a program to give the public service a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining employees. That's important since 45 per cent of managers and 35 per cent of current employees are eligible to retire from the public service by 2015. Source.

Landlord buys 20 more rental buildings

Toronto-based landlord TransGlobe Property Management increased its stake in British Columbia apartment markets Wednesday with the purchase of 20 buildings representing 950 units in the Lower Mainland and Victoria.  TransGlobe CEO Daniel Drimmer did not disclose the financial details, but said the company closed six separate transactions involving buildings in Coquitlam, Port Moody, Vancouver, Abbotsford and Victoria on Wednesday.  Source.

Oil & Gas Industry

Forty-one people have died and more than 1,400 have been injured in B.C.'s oil and gas exploration industry over the past six years.  That has prompted the industry to increase safety training. Enform, an industry association responsible for training and certification, is adding health and safety initiatives to its mandate, WorkSafeBC will announce in Fort St. John today.  Source.

Workers allowed to semi-retire and still contribute to pension

The Harper government laid out plans yesterday to help more seniors achieve semi-retirement, moves that should also help Canadian businesses hang on to much-needed experienced workers.  The two key steps are part of the Conservatives' broader effort to quell the anger among many seniors hurt by the government's decision in October to tax income trusts, a popular investment vehicle.  In one of the new measures, the government said it will begin allowing employers to pay a partial pension to an employee while that same worker is also contributing to the pension plan. This will make it easier for retired individuals to return to the work force part time.  It should help Canada's efforts to combat its skills shortage, which is expected to become an increasing problem as the work force ages. The change, expected to carry a small price tag for the government, is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.  Source.

Website offers retirees a new lease on working life

As the B.C. government prepares to ban mandatory retirement in the province this spring, a growing number of companies are taking a fresh look at hiring older workers as a way to shore up their workforce.  As well, new businesses are starting up that are geared to helping those workers find new jobs or careers as they leave their old ones.  One of those businesses is a Langley-based website called 55pluspros.ca that's been launched to help match older workers with employers seeking experienced and qualified professionals.  Source.

Federal Budget 2007

Exceeding all expectations, the federal surplus reached $14.1 billion in 2006–07. Of this, $9.2 billion went to debt repayment and the remainder to new spending measures.

The federal government asserted that the “fiscal balance” is restored through generous increases in the health and social transfers and a revamping of the equalization formula.

Funding for transportation infrastructure and targeted business tax measures should help bolster productivity.

Personal income tax measures are aimed at low-income families and the working poor.

Source.

BC's hot sectors

Current and emerging industry sectors facing labour shortages. Please click here for summaries of some of BC’s Hot Sectors: Agriculture, Aquaculture, Call Centers, Arts & Culture,  Construction, Education, Health, Finance Insurance and Real Estate, Forestry, Mining, Oil and Gas, Policing, Professional Services, Technology, Tourism, Trades, Transportation, and Trucking. 

Source: BC Career Management Association

New magazine to focus on sustainability

Canada Wide Media will launch a new quarterly Vancouver magazine in May -- Granville -- that will focus on sustainability issues for urban consumers.  Canada Wide representative Samantha Legge said every story will bring sustainability to the foreground and give readers the tools to make informed decisions.  Regular sections will cover local food, fashion and homes, while in-depth features will research issues like housing, transportation and energy options.  "It will be a city magazine, first and foremost, but everything will have a sustainable element to it," Legge said in an interview. "So if we write about a restaurant, we'll feature one that engages in sustainable practices."  Source.