Round table: All together now

In this pre-Olympic age, the term megaproject has new meaning in B.C. Notice how the phrases Canada Line, Sea-to-Sky and Port Mann twinning have a different ring to them than, say, fast ferries? One of the major differences is public-private partnerships, or P3s.

It’s a concept born in the U.K. for handing major responsibilities of public projects to private companies, and in Canada no province has done more than B.C. In fact, when Nova Scotia wanted advice this spring on which infrastructure projects to pursue as P3s, it paid $200,000 for B.C.’s opinion.

And yet P3s are like a recipe book for how to inflame our Left Coast sensibilities: public services entrusted to private companies, tax dollars fuelling corporate profits, unionized public workers excluded from provincial works, multinationals bidding against B.C. companies. more...

RT: All together now

B.C. is no stranger to public-private partnerships, but not everyone wants public money in private hands. Is there reason to worry? more...

RT: Carbon law

What's the real price of emissions? more...

Coping with carbons

When the latest B.C. budget dropped North America’s first true carbon tax in our laps, we were stunned and strangely silent. Even though the tax had been widely expected, its arrival was hard to believe. The tax is tiny today, but it will grow and will also bring a friend: the long-debated cap-and-trade system the Campbell government is building with select provinces and U.S. states is supposed to be designed by August.

If you’re doing business in B.C., where the first set of carbon emission rules is in place, the big question is: what are you going to do about it? more...

RT: Industrial revolution

"What going on in Vancouver condos?" more...

Small business, big concerns

B.C.’s economy is booming, and it’s not just the big guys that are reaping the rewards. Ninety-eight out of every 100 employers in B.C. are small businesses. more...

Small Business, big concerns: Audio clip

High taxes, red tape and a labour shortage? more...

No Time for Tyrants

Power is collaborative, colour blind and being wielded by a whole new group of leaders.
Find out how to make it work for you. more...

No Time for Tyrants - Audio Clip

So who has the power now? How do they wield it? more...

Culture Shock

Workplaces are becoming more diverse as immigrants step in to fill the labour gap – and tensions are rising. more...