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Business Links
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2017 State of the Island Economic Report - Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
Government of Canada House of Commons Live Feed
Ransomware Preparedness Check List from Business BC
Online Trademark Application with Canadian Intellectual Property Office: Online application complete with instructions. A thorough read of the instructions highly recommended.
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Cowichan Business Roundtables, Summary Report Apr. 2017: Between November 2016 and January 2017, a series of six Roundtable Consultations were held at the Community Futures Cowichan in Duncan. Business leaders from six industry sectors shared information they felt could would the business climate in Cowichan.
Education Enterprise Region: A mid-island collaborative effort to address challenges and create opportunity. Opportunities include building an educated workforce, importing talent and ideas, developing human capital to foster business and attract and retain industry. Presented to Chamber members by Dr. Ralph Nilson of Vancouver Island University, Mar. 28/17
Financial Templates & More Business Resources from Community Futures Cowichan: Community Futures is BC's most important small business development organization. They offer a variety of services and tools to help entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve their goals. Services including business support services, planning advice, and loans. Compared with other traditional source financing options, the businesses of Community Futures’ clients grow faster and last longer.
Live Work Invest, 7 Reasons to Make Your Home in Cowichan: An overview of lifestyle and business in the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
BC's Economic Prospects in an Uncertain World: by the BC Business Council, Feb. 7/17
Destination BC: PowerPoint & Notes from CEO Marsha Walden, as presented at Jan. 26/17 Chamber Luncheon
BC Chamber Collective Perspective Survey Nov. 2016: The BC Chamber’s province-wide survey discovered a strong confidence among the business community in both the current health of their businesses and their future outlook on the economy.
Facebook & Instagram: Are Two Better than One? How to improve your Facebook Business Page reach by using Instagram, with an overview of the new Instragram Business page. From Brenda Burch of Social Media is Simple. Presented at the 2016 Business Showcase.
Building Starts & Renovations, Published Aug.16 (scroll down for regions): From the Canadian Home Builders Association
Business & Living on Vancouver Island: General Overview, Data (multiple links): From the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
Business Leaders Survey Results - January 2016: The Chamber partnered with MNP and Community Futures Cowichan to survey business leaders regarding hiring intentions, growth expectations, challenges and opinions on local issues.
Google Guide for Small Business: The Google My Business Guide brings together all of the ways Google can help your business shine in one, easy-to-use location. Includes: Edit, Share & Engage from a single dashboard, Go mobile, Stay on Top of Reviews, and Analytics.
Small Business BC: Listing of free/reasonably priced Webinars & Seminars
Chartered Professional Accounts of BC - Regional Check Up 2015
CPABC recently published a series of economic overviews of BC according to the provincial 8 development regions. The Vancouver Island & South Coast Report is here. All reports are available here.
Doing Business in Cowichan
The Cowichan Valley Regional District recently released Community Profiles for each of the communities that make up our area. These profiles include: demographics, education, health care, recreation, transportation, culture and more - all aspects new and existing businesses, and individuals will find useful.
Community Profiles for Cowichan
BizPal 1-Stop Service for Business Permitting
BizPaL is an online service that provides businesses with simplified access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements. BizPaL generates a list of permits and licences from participating levels of government, along with some supporting information. Though every effort is made to ensure BizPal is current & accurate, it remains the applicant's responsibility to obtain required permits and licences.
BizPal Municipality of North Cowichan
Property References - RCMP & Community Policing
Community Policing has a voluntary program to maintain important information about your business. If membersfrom the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Detachment are called to your location, outside of office hours, they will have instant access to your contact information, your designated representative, and/or your alarm company. This is a voluntary program. To participate, download/complete the Property Reference form, and forward to Community Policing. For details contact Duncan Community Policing: 250.701.9145 or warmlandcops@shaw.ca
Industry Training Authority
Gary Herman, CEO of the Industry Training Authority presented in Cowichan on Mar. 5/15 with an overview of training and opportunities in the burgeoning Trades sector.Mr. Herman's presentation is available online here.
LNG - Buy BC On-line Tool
This new tool is designed to assist Island businesses tap into the opportunities created by the Liquefied Natural Gas industry as well as other major projects on Vancouver Island and/or throughout B.C.
Link to On-line Tool
Make the Most of Your Member Profile
Slide show by Suelle Stewart Creative with step by step instructions & tips
WorkSafe BC - Anti-Bully & Anti-Harassment Legislation Now in Effect
As of November 1, 2013, BC businesses have new obligations under the Workers Compensation Act to take action to prevent bullying and harassment in the workplace. MORE >>>
WorkSafe BC Anti-Bullying & Anti-Harassment Resources
Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
Canadian legislation requires proof of consent for all commercial electronic messages (CEM’s). Essentially, all electronic marketing messages are subject to CASL. MORE >>>
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation, Government of Canada
Industry Canada Overview
Three Tips for Compliant Emails
More CASL Tip Sheets
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Presentation
Overview from McCarthy Tetrault LLP
Full Text Anti-Spam Legislation