Business

Gas flare near Dawson Creek B.C., the province’s main region for gas and oil production. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C., Blueberry River make deal to keep most industry going

20 oil and gas, forestry, land permits suspended

Gas flare near Dawson Creek B.C., the province’s main region for gas and oil production. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
Michael Kovrig, centre, embraces his wife Vina Nadjibulla, left, and sister Ariana Botha after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Two Canadians who were imprisoned in China for nearly three years are home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada shrugs at China’s application to join Pacific Rim trade agreement

Canada says China will only be permitted entry into the CPTPP if it meets the “high standard” required

Michael Kovrig, centre, embraces his wife Vina Nadjibulla, left, and sister Ariana Botha after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. Two Canadians who were imprisoned in China for nearly three years are home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Facebook says the Federal Trade Commission failed to prove that it has a monopoly in the “personal social networking space”. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Facebook asks court to dismiss FTC antitrust complaint

Facebook is asking a federal court to dismiss a revised complaint against…

Facebook says the Federal Trade Commission failed to prove that it has a monopoly in the “personal social networking space”. (Dreamstime/TNS)
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, left, and Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) chair Shelley Chrest cut the ribbon at the grand opening for Dock+, the food hub at the former Port Fish plant by Tyee Landing, on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)

The Dock+ food hub fuels appetites and innovation in Port Alberni

The new food hub formally opened with a showcase of vendors

  • Oct 5, 2021
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, left, and Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) chair Shelley Chrest cut the ribbon at the grand opening for Dock+, the food hub at the former Port Fish plant by Tyee Landing, on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. (MIKE YOUDS/ Special to the AV News)
Representatives from Tseshaht First Nation accept the $10,000 donation at the Catalyst Port Alberni mill. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Paper Excellence makes $10,000 donation for residential school memorial in Port Alberni

Tseshaht First Nation is raising funds to honour residential school survivors and victims

Representatives from Tseshaht First Nation accept the $10,000 donation at the Catalyst Port Alberni mill. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson makes an announcement in Calgary on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. An Alberta First Nation says it continues to doubt the need for a federal environmental review of a proposed thermal coal mine expansion in the province.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

No need for federal involvement in Alberta coal mine review, First Nations say

First Nations considered Canada will not consider economic aspect of decision

Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson makes an announcement in Calgary on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. An Alberta First Nation says it continues to doubt the need for a federal environmental review of a proposed thermal coal mine expansion in the province.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Phyllis Shaw from Aunties Chumus Indian Tacos cleans salmon (springs) she purchased in order to give away the eggs, or roe, for upsqwii. Shaw and her family operated a popular concession at the Alberni District Fall Fair Sept. 10–12, 2021, that featured a five-pound Indian Taco-eating contest. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Tacos with an Indigenous twist drew crowds to Alberni District Fall Fair

Phyllis Shaw and family hope to open a pop-up takeout spot, dream of food truck

Phyllis Shaw from Aunties Chumus Indian Tacos cleans salmon (springs) she purchased in order to give away the eggs, or roe, for upsqwii. Shaw and her family operated a popular concession at the Alberni District Fall Fair Sept. 10–12, 2021, that featured a five-pound Indian Taco-eating contest. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards double down with annual Vancouver Island celebration

2021 finalists come from two years of nominees; all to be recognized at November gala in Victoria

Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)
A graph depicting job vacancy rate from 2015 through to the second quarter of 2021 for Canada (red), British Columbia (dark green) and Vancouver Island (light green). Data was not collected for Q2 and Q3 of 2020 due to the pandemic, hence the gap on the graph. Source: Statistics Canada 14-10-0325-01.

High job vacancy continues to be felt across Vancouver Island

Record high job vacancies in Q2 2021 caused by pandemic’s ‘perfect storm’

A graph depicting job vacancy rate from 2015 through to the second quarter of 2021 for Canada (red), British Columbia (dark green) and Vancouver Island (light green). Data was not collected for Q2 and Q3 of 2020 due to the pandemic, hence the gap on the graph. Source: Statistics Canada 14-10-0325-01.
Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Island retiree operates thrift store to keep his neighbourhood neighbourly

Deni’s Dynamite Deals donates thousands of dollars every month

Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The Food Stash Foundation is opening the doors to the Rescued Food Market. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

‘Pay-what-you-feel’ grocery store opens in Vancouver, aims to combat food insecurity

People can choose whether to donate money to help keep the market running

The Food Stash Foundation is opening the doors to the Rescued Food Market. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Glacial till, filters and aggregate are placed in the main Site C dam structure, September 2021, with the Peace River diverted through tunnels and a long conveyer belt bringing material to the site. (B.C. Hydro photo)

$16B Site C dam takes shape as B.C. aims to sell more hydro power

B.C. Hydro manages earth fill structure, COVID-19 outbreak

Glacial till, filters and aggregate are placed in the main Site C dam structure, September 2021, with the Peace River diverted through tunnels and a long conveyer belt bringing material to the site. (B.C. Hydro photo)
A help wanted sign is displayed at car wash in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Conroy

Widespread labour shortage not going away any time soon: BDC report

More than 60 per cent of Canadian businesses say that widespread labour shortages are limiting their growth

A help wanted sign is displayed at car wash in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Conroy
Air-to-air heat pump system installation at an Alaska home using oil for heating. B.C. Hydro is increasing subsidies to make the switch from oil and natural gas to electric heat pumps. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)

B.C. Hydro adds $260 million in 5-year electric conversion plan

Electric car charging stations, heat pumps, hydrogen trucks

Air-to-air heat pump system installation at an Alaska home using oil for heating. B.C. Hydro is increasing subsidies to make the switch from oil and natural gas to electric heat pumps. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire)
B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter file photo)

B.C. doubles grants for new technology jobs, eases degree rules

$29M program redirected to under-represented groups

B.C. Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter file photo)
A photo of Unifor Local 2301 members picketing outside of the Rio Tinto smelter in Kitimat BC, in July . (Jacob Lubberts photo)

Tentative deal reached in 2-month-old Kitimat aluminum strike

Rio Tinto and Unifor Local 2301 reach collective labour agreement for Kitimat BC Works smelter

A photo of Unifor Local 2301 members picketing outside of the Rio Tinto smelter in Kitimat BC, in July . (Jacob Lubberts photo)
In this May 7, 2019 photo, a machine that produces plastic pellets is seen in operation at a GDB International warehouse in New Brunswick, N.J. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Seth Wenig

Plastic resin emerges as tiniest example of enduring COVID-19 supply chain crunch

Experts say plastic prices are one a factor pushing up the cost of materials and contributing to inflation

In this May 7, 2019 photo, a machine that produces plastic pellets is seen in operation at a GDB International warehouse in New Brunswick, N.J. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Seth Wenig
Tugboats and pod dozers are an integral part of the forestry industry, despite the fact they are marine-based vessels. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

FORESTRY WEEK: Company performs a century of engineering feats

Canadian Maritime Engineering has built boats for forestry companies since pre-1920s

Tugboats and pod dozers are an integral part of the forestry industry, despite the fact they are marine-based vessels. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)

Vancouver Island Airbnb host ranked top in the province

Sooke Cedar House received the most positive reviews of any Airbnb in Canada

Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)
A woman holds a sign while attending a rally and march organized by people opposed to COVID-19 vaccination passports and public health measures, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Small businesses face threats, backlash as vaccine passports take effect

Some flooded with bad reviews on Google or negative comments on social media

A woman holds a sign while attending a rally and march organized by people opposed to COVID-19 vaccination passports and public health measures, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck