Skip to content

BBOT targets shortage of skilled workers

The Burnaby Board of Trade spearheaded several resolutions that went before the Canadian Chamber of Commerce last month.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce logo
Two out of three Burnaby Board of Trade resolutions were recently approved by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The Burnaby Board of Trade spearheaded several resolutions that went before the Canadian Chamber of Commerce last month.

At the chamber’s annual general meeting, the BBOT submitted resolutions looking to address the shortage of skilled workers in Canada’s economy and the need for a labour market impact assessment exemption for foreign workers in the film and television industry. The board also co-sponsored a resolution from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce that recommended steps to manage the Lower Fraser River and “ensure the continuous flow of commerce to and from the Asia-Pacific market.”

While the film industry resolution was narrowly defeated, the other two were approved by the Canadian chamber’s members, who collectively represent 200,000 businesses nationwide. The resolutions have been adopted as formal policy positions, and the chamber will pursue the issues with the federal government in the coming months.

The BBOT also assured in a statement that the film industry resolution is still a major concern and the board “will continue to advocate strongly to protect B.C. and Canada’s film and television industry from the negative impacts of recent federal regulation changes.”

Vega president wins Entrepreneur of the Year

Charles Chang, president and founder of Burnaby health company Vega, took home an award at Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific awards gala, held in Vancouver on Sept. 30.

Chang was recognized in the business-to-consumer products and services category, and a press release touted Vega as a “leader in the plant-based natural health and performance products industry.” Other categories included business-to-business products and services, emerging entrepreneur, energy, entertainment and hospitality, information technology, mining and exploration, and manufacturing.

Vega specializes in nutritional food products and supplements for people who want to live healthy, fit lifestyles. It also promotes sustainability, organic ingredients, using recycled packaging and decreasing carbon emissions.