Business

Langford developers have contributed to the city’s affordable housing fund with every rezoning request over the last five years. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. city promising select new homeowners up to 75% of their down payment

The city has earmarked $3 million in grants to help 250 families buy homes

  • Oct 19, 2021
Citizens Services Minister Lisa Beare speaks in the B.C. legislature, June 2021. (Hansard TV)

B.C.’s $25 information access fee ‘modest,’ to speed up service

Frequent filers slowing public access, Minister Lisa Beare says

After a little over a year in operation, a take-out-style restaurant in Kelowna is closing its doors. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media file)

Downtown Kelowna eatery closes after 7 months in operation

Kalamansi had a new approach to food, but it wasn’t the right time for it, owner said

The Surrey Board of Trade is calling on the provincial government to implement a temporary paid sick-leave program. (Unsplash.com photo by Kelly Sikkema)

Vernon businesses weigh in on paid sick leave options

Chamber reminds government of impacts to a business’ bottom line

The Surrey Board of Trade is calling on the provincial government to implement a temporary paid sick-leave program. (Unsplash.com photo by Kelly Sikkema)
A compactor works at the Vancouver landfill in Delta. (City of Vancouver)

B.C., Vancouver to expand natural gas capture from Delta landfill

Province matches city’s $4.28 million methane project

A compactor works at the Vancouver landfill in Delta. (City of Vancouver)
A flare stack lights the sky from the Imperial Oil refinery in Edmonton on December 28, 2018. Environment groups in Canada say governments and the oil and gas industry can no longer pretend there is an economic case for expanding oil production after the latest international energy forecast suggests demand for Canada’s oil will fall before the end of this decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

International Energy Agency forecasts decline in Canadian oil demand coming

Agency says only scenario where world hits Paris agreement goal to minimize global warming is net-zero plan

A flare stack lights the sky from the Imperial Oil refinery in Edmonton on December 28, 2018. Environment groups in Canada say governments and the oil and gas industry can no longer pretend there is an economic case for expanding oil production after the latest international energy forecast suggests demand for Canada’s oil will fall before the end of this decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Kim Lysak, assistant chief flight instructor with Aurora Aviation Academy flies over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. flight school expanding amid a global pilot shortage

COVID has decimated the industry but Aurora Aviation sees opportunity on the horizon

Kim Lysak, assistant chief flight instructor with Aurora Aviation Academy flies over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
On-street patios won’t be staying up year-round due to the City of Salmon Arm’s snow removal needs. (File photo)

City doesn’t support on-street patios in Salmon Arm in winter

Patios permitted to stay till end of October but then snow creates problems

On-street patios won’t be staying up year-round due to the City of Salmon Arm’s snow removal needs. (File photo)
Salmon Arm’s Mr. Mikes is one of the restaurants partnered with Mealshare, a Canadian non-profit that provides meals to youth in need. (Contributed)

Non-profit asks Salmon Arm residents to dine out for World Food Day

Mealshare partners with Mr. Mikes restaurants to help feed those in need

  • Oct 14, 2021
Salmon Arm’s Mr. Mikes is one of the restaurants partnered with Mealshare, a Canadian non-profit that provides meals to youth in need. (Contributed)
Janice Cannon, right, of Little Red Hen Artisan Bakery, boxes up a selection of items for a customer at the 2019 Downtown Farmer’s Market in Salmon Arm. The market will move to Hudson Ave NE on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, 2021. (File photo)

Salmon Arm’s Farmer’s Market to move temporarily to Hudson Avenue

Construction of Ross Street Underpass necessitates two-week move away from Ross Street Plaza

Janice Cannon, right, of Little Red Hen Artisan Bakery, boxes up a selection of items for a customer at the 2019 Downtown Farmer’s Market in Salmon Arm. The market will move to Hudson Ave NE on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23, 2021. (File photo)
Carbon Engineering’s pilot project at Squamish B.C. began in 2018, extracting carbon dioxide from air to convert to liquid fuel. Huron Clean Energy is building a similar facility with the Upper Nicola Band at Merritt B.C. (Carbon Engineering photo)

B.C. government puts $2M toward carbon capture fuel plant at Merritt

Upper Nicola Band partners in hydrogen fuel conversion plant

Carbon Engineering’s pilot project at Squamish B.C. began in 2018, extracting carbon dioxide from air to convert to liquid fuel. Huron Clean Energy is building a similar facility with the Upper Nicola Band at Merritt B.C. (Carbon Engineering photo)
Pruning fruit trees is one of the jobs where temporary foreign workers may be used. B.C. moves to a minimum working age of 16 as of Oct. 15, with exeptions for “light work” on farms such as hand harvesting. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

B.C.’s minimum working age going from 12 to 16 on Friday

Some recreation, farm, administrative, retail jobs allowed at 14

Pruning fruit trees is one of the jobs where temporary foreign workers may be used. B.C. moves to a minimum working age of 16 as of Oct. 15, with exeptions for “light work” on farms such as hand harvesting. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Askew’s Foods donates $100,000 to the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail. From left: Lori Pounder, manager at Askew’s Foods Armstrong; Claire Askew, project specialist/wellness coordinator at Askew’s Foods; Dave Wallace, general manager at Askew’s Foods; Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian, Splatsin; Alex de Chantal, fundraising strategy coordinator; Denis Delisle, Regional District of North Okanagan director, Area F; Kevin Flynn, Columbia Shuswap Regional District board chair. (Contributed)

Askew’s Foods donates $100,000 to Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail

Donation to support construction of the rail trail stretching from Sicamous to Armstrong

Askew’s Foods donates $100,000 to the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail. From left: Lori Pounder, manager at Askew’s Foods Armstrong; Claire Askew, project specialist/wellness coordinator at Askew’s Foods; Dave Wallace, general manager at Askew’s Foods; Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian, Splatsin; Alex de Chantal, fundraising strategy coordinator; Denis Delisle, Regional District of North Okanagan director, Area F; Kevin Flynn, Columbia Shuswap Regional District board chair. (Contributed)
Deville Coffee is set to open on Oct. 14 at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy Street, which formerly housed Starbucks Coffee. (Contributed)

New café steps into former Starbucks location in downtown Kelowna

On opening day, all of the café’s sales will be donated to Mamas for Mamas

Deville Coffee is set to open on Oct. 14 at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Pandosy Street, which formerly housed Starbucks Coffee. (Contributed)
James Inglis is the president of Blind Bay Village Grocer, which recently won a Canadian Grocer Impact Award for Community Service. (Blind Bay Village Grocer/Facebook photo)

‘Love local:’ Shuswap grocer receives award for community service

Blind Bay Village Grocer recognized for efforts to support local, give back

James Inglis is the president of Blind Bay Village Grocer, which recently won a Canadian Grocer Impact Award for Community Service. (Blind Bay Village Grocer/Facebook photo)
Lake Country’s Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery has been named as one of the top 100 locations in Canada for outdoor dining in the first list compiled by opentable.com. (OpenTable photo)

Okanagan restaurants featured in outdoor dining top 100 list

Two from Vernon, West Kelowna and Penticton and one from Lake Country named in top 100 outdoor dining venues by opentable.com

Lake Country’s Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery has been named as one of the top 100 locations in Canada for outdoor dining in the first list compiled by opentable.com. (OpenTable photo)
Independent economists’ analysis of B.C.’s natural gas royalty program shows how decades of incentive programs have led to decreased royalties. (B.C. energy ministry)

B.C.’s biggest natural gas leak is revenue loss from Crown sales

Outdated incentives are ‘fossil fuel subsidies,’ minister admits

Independent economists’ analysis of B.C.’s natural gas royalty program shows how decades of incentive programs have led to decreased royalties. (B.C. energy ministry)
Venture capital firm “The51” founders Judy Fairburn, left, co-CEO and fund managing partner, and Shelley Kuipers co-CEO, general partner and growth officer, are shown in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Venture fund aims to unleash the power of female capital in the agri-tech space

Focus in on agriculture and food was made because of an ‘unprecedented economic opportunity’ in the space

Venture capital firm “The51” founders Judy Fairburn, left, co-CEO and fund managing partner, and Shelley Kuipers co-CEO, general partner and growth officer, are shown in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Mobile laundry service comes to the Central Okanagan. (Pixabay)

Wash, fold, deliver: Mobile laundry service comes to Central Okanagan

The service aims to help busy families make their lives easier

Mobile laundry service comes to the Central Okanagan. (Pixabay)
Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, speaks at a restaurant in Delta, B.C., on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. leads in job creation numbers, but more work ahead, says recovery minister

Kahlon says the provincial jobless rate has fallen below six per cent

Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, speaks at a restaurant in Delta, B.C., on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck