News Impacting Business In British Columbia
Nature’s Path Food Co-founders Honoured
VICTORIA – Nature’s Path Food co-founders and organic food visionaries Ratana and Arran Stephens are the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year (DEYA).
“We are thrilled to recognize Arran and Ratana Stephens as our 2022 recipients,” says Peter Gustavson, chair of the DEYA committee. “They have built a thriving enterprise while leading positive change in their industry and community. The Stephens have shown what can be accomplished with an unwavering focus on leading with values.”
Arran and Ratana will receive their award at the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Gala at the Victoria Conference Centre, on Oct. 19.
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WorksafeBC’s High-Risk Strategy For Construction
BRITISH COLUMBIA – B.C.’s construction sector has an injury rate that is consistently higher than the provincial average. That’s why WorkSafeBC has a multi-year high-risk strategy to reduce injuries in construction.
“Our 2022 high-risk strategy for construction aims to reduce the number of serious and fatal injuries in the industry,” says Al Johnson, Head of Prevention Services for WorkSafeBC. “As part of our strategy, we will continue to apply our resources and efforts — including inspections and consultations — where they will be most effective.”
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Electricity Bills To Be Reduced On April 1
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Starting April 1, electricity bills for BC Hydro customers will be reduced by an average of 1.4 per cent, following interim approval by the BC Utilities Commission.
The rate decrease is part of a three-year rate application that, if approved, marks a period of the lowest rate increases in B.C. over the past 15 years.
“Affordability is our government’s top priority, and we continue to work with BC Hydro to keep electricity rates competitive and affordable for British Columbians,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “In the BC Hydro Review, we identified several recommendations to ensure British Columbians have access to tools to help keep their bills low, and we’re actively implementing those recommendations.”
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Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi Trail Opens Tourism Offerings
COURTENAY – The Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis Nation will transform a remote public trail into an Indigenous interpretive eco-tourism trail, with funding support from Island Coastal Economic Trust’s Diversify Capital & Innovation Program.
In June 2020, the Kwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Haxwa’mis First Nation (KHFN) purchased Echo Bay Marina and Lodge on Gilford Island, next to the traditional village site Ḵ̓wax̱wa̱lawadi, and a 15-minute boat ride from KHFN’s main village of Gwa’yas’dums. This acquisition is part of the Nation’s community planning and rebuilding process, which includes strategic tourism development. The interpretive trail complements the purchase of the Echo Bay facility, and will connect the marina and lodge with popular Echo Bay Marine BC Park, and local attractions such as the Billy Proctor Museum, which has become a must stop tourist destination.
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