News Impacting Business In British Columbia
Province Simplifying Paid Sick Leave
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Amendments to B.C.’s Employment Standards Act will strengthen paid sick leave legislation to protect workers and simplify the administrative process for businesses.
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, introduced changes to address two issues that have been raised since the five days of employer-paid sick leave came into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
In the first case, business groups expressed concern that using “employment year” instead of “calendar year” to establish an employee’s annual paid sick leave entitlement is cumbersome because it requires a separate date for each employee based on the start date of their employment.
See full release here.
Trees Corporation Announces Amendments to Acquisition
VANCOUVER ISLAND – Trees Corporation, a next-now cannabis company at the intersection of community, content, and commerce, announced amendments to its previously disclosed transaction with 1015712 B.C. Ltd.
Trees is pleased to announce that it has made certain amendments to the 101 transactions in connection with the acquisition of five (5) licensed retail cannabis stores located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Among other matters, the amendments resulted in the immediate acquisition by the Company of the Trees registered brand trademarks and clarified certain matters to govern the relationship between Trees and 101 pending the closing of the acquisition of the remaining assets upon receipt of approval from the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
See full release here.
Canada Invests in Cleantech Solutions at Lafarge
BRITISH COLUMBIA – Confronting climate change in thoughtful ways offers the potential for significant economic opportunities for businesses, communities and workers in Canada. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to building a clean energy future: to protect the environment, strengthen the economy and create good jobs.
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of more than $1.9 million to accelerate the development of innovative technologies that will reduce fossil fuel consumption at Lafarge Canada Inc.’s cement plants in Richmond, British Columbia and Brookfield, Nova Scotia.
See Full Report here.
Garage Capital Leads Cognito Health’s $1.1 Million
BRITISH COLUMBIA – During the depths of the pandemic a pharmacist and engineer hatched an idea. A high-quality mental health service for all Canadians. Partnering with a physician, psychologist, and senior developer Cognito was formed.
Depression and anxiety are crippling Canadians and their healthcare system. Preceding the pandemic 3.8 million Canadians per year experienced these conditions, this number exceeded 7 million during the pandemic.
See Full Report here.
Fixing, Funding, and Reforming Health Services
OTTAWA – A serious conversation about fundamental changes required to tackle rising cost pressures in Canadian healthcare is long overdue. A new C.D. Howe Institute study demonstrates the importance of controlling Canada’s healthcare costs and improving its efficiency, unless we are prepared to fund the rapidly increasing cost burden.
In Fixing, Funding, and Reforming Health Services, Don Drummond and Duncan Sinclair demonstrate the case for shifting healthcare’s focus to outcomes and cost containment, through greater efficacy and efficiency, to avoid substantial tax hikes.
See Full Report here.
