Economy, Law & Politics

Business licences and development doubled during departing mayor’s time on council

It’s government policy – not price gouging on the part of Canadian retailers – that is to blame for the substantial gap in prices between American and Canadian goods, and this needs to be addressed.

The following is a list of stock trades made by corporate executives, directors and other company insiders of B.C.’s public companies filed the week ending April 30. The information comes from a compilation of required reports filed with the BC Securities Commission obtained from DisclosureNet.com.

Last year's sale of the downtown Vancouver mail processing plant helped offset losses at Canada Post in 2013, however, the Crown corporation still reports operating losses of $193 million.

International tourist visits to B.C. slowed in February but the level remained consistent with the range observed in late 2013, with inbound visits reaching a seasonally adjusted 373,875 persons. While this was 2.3% lower than in January, visits were 3.4% higher than a year ago. Moreover, total visits over the first two months of the year were up 6%, pointing to a positive contribution to economic growth from tourism-sector-related activity.

British Columbia has lost significant numbers of its young people to the booming Alberta economy, enough to affect B.C.'s labour market, according to the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC).

Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan took over as leader of the NDP Thursday, and party officials hope to shape his public image before the Liberals beat them to it. Shortly after nominations closed at 5 p.m.

Vancouver election campaigns will continue to be multi-million-dollar events despite an attempt by Green Party Councillor Adriane Carr to have council voluntarily adopt a set of guidelines to get the big money out of civic politics.

Matt Shillito and Scot Hein — two longtime staff in City of Vancouver’s planning department — have given their notices.

As Canadians are wrapping up their income tax returns for the year, many are finding it's not just the actual tax bills that are taking a chunk out of their wallets.