The Coalition would now like to see a dialogue take shape on the laws that govern labour relations in BC. The Coalition recently met with Minister of Labour Olga Ilich to present a discussion document calling for a series of labour law amendments that enhance employee rights and the economic viability of BC businesses.

2002 Labour Code changes are incomplete
The job of developing fair and balanced labour laws in BC is incomplete. The last round of reforms to the BC Labour Code occurred in 2002.

Despite some favourable amendments, sections of the Code continue to limit the protection and promotion of employee rights and challenge the economic viability of BC businesses.

Enhanced employee rights foster economic development
BC’s economic competitiveness and the province’s current labour shortage make the issue of employee rights all the more relevant and urgent. Positioning BC as a champion of employee rights will enhance the province’s reputation as a stable and attractive destination for employees and investors alike.

The BC government should enact amendments to the Code that empower individual employee rights but, of equal importance, the Labour Relations Board must relax some of the rigid standards and requirements that limit employee participation in the labour relations process.

Coalition consults with small and medium-sized businesses
In formulating its observations and recommendations, the Coalition has sought advice from a variety of sources. Most importantly, the Coalition was able to draw on the input of people who operate small and medium-sized businesses and are members of the various associations that comprise the Coalition. Their experiences with BC’s labour policies provide a most valuable benchmark of the effectiveness of these policies and what is needed to move forward.

Click here for a copy of the report.

The possible threat of another unlawful labour disruption spurred the Coalition to take some proactive and preventative measures.

The Coalition convened a meeting of interested businesses and associations to forge a common policy position and to develop a strategy to compel governments and police agencies to enforce the Criminal Code and not stand on the sidelines when property is damaged and employees are threatened with violence. Information-exchange meetings were held with the provincial Attorney General, Solicitor General and the RCMP Labour Liaison.

The Coalition respects the right of unionized workers to engage in lawful strikes or legal means of protesting or disseminating information, and also respects the rights of owner-operators (or other small sub-contractors for that matter) to withdraw their services for whatever reason, subject only to contract law. When laws are broken, however, the Coalition and other British Columbians expect police to protect employee rights and property rights.

The Coalition is monitoring developments at the ports and working with provincial and municipal authorities and police agencies to develop a reasoned policy approach that enhances the rule of law.

The Vancouver Board of Trade, through its participation in the Coalition of BCBusinesses, has played a pivotal role in the development of BC’s labour laws and employment policies in the last decade.

The Coalition was formed in 1992 and has grown into an effective and experienced voice for small and medium sized businesses. Coalition member associations represent over 50,000 businesses active in all sectors of BC’s diverse economy in communities throughout the province.

The Coalition’s advocacy philosophy is that employment policies in British Columbia must reflect the principles of fairness, flexibility and individual choice. Workplace labour laws and employment policies must meet the needs of employers and employees and allow business to successfully compete within the global marketplace.

Labour Policies that Work was the Coalition’s comprehensive policy document and lobbying campaign that helped shape BC’s sweeping 2002 labour law reforms. The Coalition’s success in achieving labour and employment policy reform has had a positive impact on BC’s overall business climate and on the success of individual businesses

In 2003, the Coalition lobbied for a new industry training model and was successful in securing the appointment of three small business representatives to the industry training board.

We pressed for the formation of the WCB’s Small Business Advisory Committee in 2004 with Coalition representatives providing a sounding board on the impact of WCB policy changes on small business.

The Coalition of BC Businesses is working to protect the policy gains made by the employer community and head off policy changes that would turn back the clock. Last year, the Coalition mounted a proactive communications campaign that built public support for key business issues in the lead up to the provincial election.

The Coalition also provides members with useful policy research, polling and reporting. Most recently, the Coalition’s Small Business Economic Outlook and Employment Standards Survey gauged employer opinions and attitudes and found overwhelming support for the 2002 employment standards reforms.

Looking ahead, the Coalition will continue to pursue employment and labour policies that will help foster a positive relationship between employers and employees and a climate for economic growth, opportunities and jobs.

On our radar screen for the upcoming year are initiatives to: enhance the rule of law during labour disputes; cooperate with VANOC on a strategy to improve industrial relations leading up to the 2010 Olympic Games; and promote ‘best practices’ for small business employers and encourage compliance with the new employment standards regulations.

The Coalition’s success in framing issues and driving debate in Victoria and in the court of public opinion derives from the commitment of its member associations – like the Vancouver Board of Trade. We thank you for your ongoing support.

by Bruce Constantineau

The B.C. government is lobbying Ottawa to amend immigration rules to allow international workers to fill jobs that are going begging throughout the province, Premier Gordon Campbell said Thursday.

One of the proposals includes bringing in seasonal workers who can be sent home once they’re no longer needed, Campbell said.

“We have literally billions of dollars of construction that’s on the books now as a result of a thriving economy … and we clearly have a shortage of skilled trades people,” he told reporters after a Vancouver speech to the Coalition of B.C. Businesses.

“We have to look at training initiatives and immigration opportunities and we’re working with Canada to see if we can find a way that that will work for us.”

The B.C. unemployment rate dropped to a 30-year low of 4.9 per cent last month as 18,000 more people found jobs in several industries. Employment in the province has grown by 90,000 jobs in the past year, for a job-growth rate of 4.3 per cent — the highest in Canada.

Campbell said construction job opportunities abound and noted there is also a big demand for entry-level workers in the hospitality industry.

“We’re thinking of perhaps bringing in seasonal workers and then they go back home,” he said. “All that stuff is in the early stages. We have to find a way to meet the job demands of British Columbia.”

Campbell said potential international sources for new workers include Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Mexico. Fraser Valley and Okanagan fruit growers have used temporary workers from Mexico to harvest their crops in the past two years, under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

Campbell said Alberta has a program that allows international workers to fill jobs around Fort McMurray, but he wants immigration rules that would allow workers to take jobs anywhere they’re needed in B.C.

“I’m thinking of a province-wide program that doesn’t hold back our economy because there happens to be a worker shortage right now,” he said.

Council of Tourism Associations of B.C. chief executive officer Mary Mahon Jones said the industry clearly welcomes any initiatives to relieve worker shortages.

“We have more jobs than workers now and we know there are skilled workers available beyond our domestic borders,” she said. “We need to come up with some real creative approaches to deal with this issue. It’s not like we’d be taking jobs away from B.C. people.”

by Ashley Ford

B.C. is working on a new immigration initiative it hopes will ease the passage of future immigrants here and also take care of skilled labour shortages, Premier Gordon Campbell said yesterday.

Speaking to the Coalition of BC Businesses, Campbell said B.C. has a new challenge of finding workers, especially skilled workers in construction, the forest and tourism industries.

He said the government is in early discussions with the federal authorities and says “they appear open to that.”

Campbell said the government will look at plans in other provinces but says he is looking at a province-wide program and not directing workers into any particular geographic region.

He said the province is prepared to take workers from anywhere, provided they have the skills that B.C. needs. Europe, Asia, the U.S., Mexico; it doesn’t matter, he said.

With the economy burbling along there is a growing need for workers in many sectors especially skilled trades and Campbell wants to make their entry smoother and more efficient.

Perhaps with seasonal workers, if they come for three seasons in a row, they could then apply for landed immigrant status, Campbell suggested.

He said there are billions of dollars worth of construction projects on the books and the 2010 Winter Olympics are really only a small project of that.

B.C.’s economy may be booming now, but Premier Gordon Campbell is warning the business community not to be complacent.

In a year-in-review style speech to the Coalition of B.C. Businesses, the Premier says, while 2005 has been a great one for the province, challenges lie ahead.

Gordon Campbell says change is inevitable and no one should sit back and assume anything. “One of the things that’s really important for you to look at in 2006 is where do you want to be,” said Campbell. “What do you want the province to be like?”

The Premier also had a warning about the NDP opposition who he says are out in communities every day working hard against the interests of the business community.