Business

Abbotsford International Airport. (Black Press Media files)

Federal government unlocks $740 million in relief for airports

About $490 million of that windfall is bound for large airports to put toward critical infrastructure such as runway repairs and transit stations

B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains in the B.C. legislature, May 13, 2019. (Hansard TV)

B.C. to provide three days of sick pay for COVID-19 absences

Province will support employers on cost, labour minister says

Paul Beltgens will never advocate for the export of raw logs under any circumstances. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Innovative approach keeps small Vancouver Island forest company running strong

Owner Paul Beltgens embraces changing times, utilizes high standards in production

Gord Judson steers his log truck down a forest service road, using two-way radio and call signals to mark his position for oncoming traffic. (B.C. Forest Safety Council)

Planning some B.C. wilderness fishing? Don’t catch a log truck

Remote recreation areas bracing for heavy pandemic pressure

Gord Judson steers his log truck down a forest service road, using two-way radio and call signals to mark his position for oncoming traffic. (B.C. Forest Safety Council)
Amazon is pausing its Prime Day marketing event in Canada this year amid ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at its facilities in Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Amazon Prime Day halted in Canada due to COVID-19 outbreaks in warehouses

The event was postponed to protect the health and safety of employees and customers, the company says

Amazon is pausing its Prime Day marketing event in Canada this year amid ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at its facilities in Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon speaks in the B.C. legislature, describing work underway to make a small business and tourism aid package less restrictive, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)

B.C.’s latest COVID-19 restrictions cost thousands of service jobs

Part-time workers set back again by spike in virus spread

Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon speaks in the B.C. legislature, describing work underway to make a small business and tourism aid package less restrictive, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)
Amazon has announced the creation of five new facilities in B.C., to employ about 2,000 people. (Amazon/Special to Black Press Media)

Amazon adds new facilities in Langley, Pitt Meadows, Delta, Vancouver

The Vancouver port centre will be the first Amazon centre to feature robotics in B.C.

Amazon has announced the creation of five new facilities in B.C., to employ about 2,000 people. (Amazon/Special to Black Press Media)
Garden centre manager Jack Olszewski and Chris Beaudoin say business has grown by 50 per cent at the Sooke Home Hardware Store. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Flower power: COVID restrictions fuel boom in Vancouver Island gardening

More people seeking flowers to add colour, says Sooke landscaper

Garden centre manager Jack Olszewski and Chris Beaudoin say business has grown by 50 per cent at the Sooke Home Hardware Store. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
The Lake Cowichan branch of the Royal Bank of Canada is closing. (Google)

Lake Cowichan’s RBC branch will close in November

RBC says banking needs will still be met

The Lake Cowichan branch of the Royal Bank of Canada is closing. (Google)
Love A’fair explores the world of farmers’ markets and craft markets on Vancouver Island. (SCREENSHOT FROM LOVE A’FAIR TRAILER)

Film series hopes to explore Vancouver Island farmers markets, craft fairs

Love A’fair is currently in pre-production

Love A’fair explores the world of farmers’ markets and craft markets on Vancouver Island. (SCREENSHOT FROM LOVE A’FAIR TRAILER)
The number of passengers through the Victoria International Airport has plummeted since COVID-19 hit. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria International Airport passengers plummet to a tenth of 2019 counts

Only domestic flights allowed through YYJ in 2021

The number of passengers through the Victoria International Airport has plummeted since COVID-19 hit. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. average home price and sales level to 2023, showing steep drop in sales expected next year. (Central 1)

Forecast calls for B.C. home sales to ‘explode,’ then drop off

Average price to rise another 10% in 2021, credit unions say

B.C. average home price and sales level to 2023, showing steep drop in sales expected next year. (Central 1)
A real estate sign is shown in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, June 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

CMHC predicts COVID-19 immunity will moderate pace of home sales, prices by 2023

The agency also predicts that rental demand will rebound as immigration recovers

A real estate sign is shown in Victoria, B.C., on Friday, June 1, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of downtown’s open-air food court when it opened last July. (File photo)

Duncan’s open-air food court to return

But venue will have concrete picnic tables this year

Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of downtown’s open-air food court when it opened last July. (File photo)
Gourmet donuts made by Jesus Poem and Athena Guy. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Italian gourmet donuts a hit in the North Island

Owners says feedback from the public has been fantastic

Gourmet donuts made by Jesus Poem and Athena Guy. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses the HFN’s new agreement with Western Forest Products at a press conference in 2018 at Pacific Coast University in Port Alberni. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

West Coast First Nation makes $22.4M investment into traditional territory tree farm

Huu-ay-aht First Nations acquire another portion of TFL 44 from Western Forest Products

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses the HFN’s new agreement with Western Forest Products at a press conference in 2018 at Pacific Coast University in Port Alberni. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO
Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)

Cowichan business community honoured with Black Tie awards

Recipients gave speeches by phone while being live-streamed on YouTube

Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)
Cameron and Fiona Van Housen have reopened the iconic Dove Creek Road flower business, The Blooming Barn. Photo by Terry Farrell

Iconic Courtenay flower business reopens after 2-decade dormancy

New owners, new ideas at The Blooming Barn on Dove Creek Road

Cameron and Fiona Van Housen have reopened the iconic Dove Creek Road flower business, The Blooming Barn. Photo by Terry Farrell
The head offices of Caisse Desjardins are seen, Wednesday, February 24, 2021 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Desjardins drops disease-related liability, property damage coverage for some claims

Company said it will not cover them in the event they are sued for spreading a communicable disease

The head offices of Caisse Desjardins are seen, Wednesday, February 24, 2021 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A load of lumber is hauled down Highway 3 in southern B.C., the province that supplies about half of U.S. exports to the U.S. (B.C. government photo)

U.S. home builders call for end to Canadian lumber trade war

U.S. Lumber Coalition says duties a small part of record price

A load of lumber is hauled down Highway 3 in southern B.C., the province that supplies about half of U.S. exports to the U.S. (B.C. government photo)