Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is making available Pre-Qualified Supplier Data on Buyandsell.gc.ca. The Pre-Qualified Supplier Data can help inform businesses as to what the Government of Canada buys in their industry or assist them to find a partner to sell to the Government of Canada.

Pre-Qualified Supplier Data is information on businesses that are currently pre-qualified to supply goods and services to the Government of Canada. Updated weekly, the data identifies businesses holding PWGSC standing offers and supply arrangements. Standing offers and supply arrangements are two methods frequently used by government departments and agencies to buy goods or services.

The Pre-Qualified Supplier Data is provided in a bilingual, comma-separated-value (CSV) file. As a CSV file, the Pre-Qualified Supplier Data can easily be imported into common desktop applications, such as Microsoft Excel, for sorting, filtering and searching information.

What can Businesses do with the data?
Businesses can find potential partners from a pool of pre-qualified suppliers to fulfill requirements in Government of Canada opportunities. For instance, businesses new to selling to government can identify pre-qualified suppliers to contact about exploring possible partnerships.

Businesses can enhance their planning by knowing the end dates of standing offers and supply arrangements in their industry to prepare for possible future opportunities. As well, they can use the listed delivery points to understand regional opportunities.

Why is Public Works making this data available?  
With Pre-Qualified Supplier Data, PWGSC is responding to requests from the business community to increase transparency and provide open data about Government of Canada procurement activities and opportunities.
Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call our info line (1-800-811-1148) with your questions and feedback.

In March 2011, Council was presented with a variety of options on water rates which included a staff proposal to leave the Residential rates at Stage 1 and move the Commercial rates to Stage 2. The proposed increase in Commercial rates was based on a staff assumption that because there had been a 23% reduction in residential consumption following a City water conservation campaign targeting residential customers and no correlating reduction in commercial consumption, that commercial users were not conserving water.

Following the March meeting, the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce appeared at Council and made a presentation which asserted that commercial water users have always been water conservationists as water use is a cost and business is always conscious of costs and look for ways to minimize while continuing to provide excellent service to their customers. Subsequent to this presentation The Chamber President and Executive Director met with City Staff and Acting Mayor, Chris Burger to further discuss the issue and highlight our concerns.
At the June 20, 2011 Council Meeting the City of Parksville Acting Mayor and Councilors received a staff report regarding water rates in the City. In this case City Council and Staff have listened and will be retaining the status quo for the 2011/2012 billing cycle with an overall 3% increase in rates applied to both Residential and Commercial water users.

In order to continue to prove our point I would ask, and encourage, all business owners to look for opportunities to further conserve water wherever possible, without impacting customers.

To the City’s credit they are looking at all opportunities to conserve water to delay significant infrastructure upgrades. This demonstrates prudent fiscal management.

As the “Voice of Business” the Chamber will continue to monitor this issue and ask for your support in proving to the City that Business is a partner in Water Conservation and prudent fiscal policy.

Sincerely,
Rudi Widdershoven
President

It’s an age-old cycle: you need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get the experience. Now, thanks to the new $3-million Youth Skills BC (YSBC) Workplace Pilot Program, this gap will close for many B.C. youth, providing them with the opportunity to gain experience and new skills in the workplace and opening doors to rewarding careers and good wages.

Kim Burden, Executive Director                                       
For Immediate Release

Parksville, BC – On March 4, 2011, the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce will honour the outstanding members of our community. All residents, employees and businesses of the Parksville District were eligible for nomination.  

The Community Awards, called the Glassies, sponsored by The Beach Club Resort, The Parksville Qualicum Beach News, Thrifty Foods, Vancouver Island University and CHEK News, honours individuals, associations and businesses that have made a significant contribution to the community in 2010. The gala awards ceremony sells out every year, and is held at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre.  

An independent nominations review panel was drawn from a wide cross-section of individuals across the district representing the business, community and civic perspectives. The review panel selected those nominees that truly met the motivation for the awards: a business, association or person who demonstrates a great capacity for caring, applying original ideas, accepting challenges, and taking risks while balancing the social needs of the community in their efforts. Over the past several months, nomination forms were distributed throughout the district and the review panel had the difficult task of choosing the following three nominees in each of these eight categories:
Volunteer
•    Kay Burgoyne
•    Aileen Fabris
•    Bruce Walton

Customer Service
•    Jonathan Michaels – Geeks on the Beach
•    Amanda Foucault – Tigh-Na-Mara Resort
•    Carol Dobson – PetMania

Community Builder
•    Laura Knickle – Building Learning Together
•    Rough Diamonds
•    Blain Sepos – Oceanside Tourism Association

Enviromental Sustainability
•    Super Craft Star
•    Canadian Electric
•    The Beach Club Resort

Entrepreneur
•    Bread and Honey Café
•    Smashing Glass & Anything Art Co.
•    Genesis Boxing

Business
•    Coastal Colour Printing
•    Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
•    Tigh-Na-Mara Resort

Youth of the Year
•    Regional District of Nanaimo Youth Recreation Strategic Planning Youth Steering Members ( Taylor Chestnut, Konnar Boorman, Alana la Charite
•    Fahlon Smith
•    Jasmine Smith

Citizen
•    Carrie Powell Davidson
•    Rose & Don Brittain
•    Tom Lewis

The Awards Ceremony, to be held March 4th at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre, will be emceed by Skye Ryan of CHEK News. Tickets for the event are available at the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce; 1275 East Island Highway.

For further information contact Kim Burden 250 248 3613.

Collaboration, communication and sharing are issues brought up by the majority of leaders interviewed during the VIEA Link Project. All levels of community, government and business people want to see more sharing of information and resources; enhancing regional networking. Most feel Vancouver Island is a large community that is fragmented and feel more collaboration will open the doors to a variety of different resources that will directly benefit many sectors.

Interviewees requested that VIEA continue to host regional dialogues and networking opportunities which bring all Island Businesses and Stakeholders together in an effort to promote regional commerce. VIEA has responded by launching the inaugural LINKING ISLAND BUSINESS to be held at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre on April 13th, 2011.

Linking Island Business’s main goal is to provide networking and business opportunities for Vancouver Island’s Business community and to generate awareness of all the successes and opportunities on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island is experiencing tremendous growth and is nearing the one million mark in population stats and to support this growth, businesses are being started and are meeting the demands of this growth.  The individual communities are embracing and initiating economic development strategies that enhance diversification on the Island.
Regional Economic Development strategies have been identified by the Provincial Government and organizations such as Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. By combining resources the Island will benefit as a whole through the efforts of these initiatives.

Click here for sponsorship opportunities.

Autumn's magnificent gifts are all around us. It's not surprising a great number of people we see in our centre are newcomers who have decided to make Oceanside their home. It is a growing trend over the past few years. Here are a few questions newcomer’s frequently ask:

Q.  I've sent out dozens of resumes since I moved here in May, and I haven't had one call for an interview. Are the employers here biased against applicants from other provinces?
A.  Absolutely not! Many of our clients from out of the area have successfully found work here. Employers welcome the skills and experience of these individuals. Most importantly, they want someone who is a good fit. There could be several reasons for the lack of response. Have you had a career professional in this area review your cover letter and resume? The style you used in the past may not work for your job search here and now. Have you researched the companies before writing the cover letter so you can catch the employer's attention? Are the skills you highlight transferable to the type of business you are applying to? Can the employer easily see the value you would bring to the company? Employers value people who can describe their ability to save time and money or increase the organization's “bottom line.” Companies are hiring now, so if you aren't getting interviews it's time to change your resume and cover letter.

Q.  Many of the jobs here are part-time or casual, and I want full-time work. What should I do?
A.   Do your best to get an interview and see what happens. Sometimes employers hire staff on a part-time or casual basis to start. They know they need to fill a position, but they may not be clear on what they really need. Your job as a potential employee is to convince the employer you will contribute to the objectives of the organization. Then, when you start the job, demonstrate the unique strengths you bring. We have countless stories of people who have started this way, and before they know it, they are working more hours. Consider it your opportunity to show your dedication, work ethic, new approaches, creative problem solving, or your unique skills.

Q.  My family is advising me to take training to work as a care-aid because there are so many seniors here. Should I do that?
A.  Yes, but only if you are clear about the duties of that job, you sincerely enjoy the type of work, and you can work through the process of being a student. However, if you don't like the duties of the job, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. This is setting yourself up for disappointment. We strive to support our clients to find work that is both interesting and satisfying. The labour market needs people who thrive in “helping” occupations and people who thrive in many other occupations. Stay focused on your goal. Let us help you find the right job for you.

Submitted by: Janet Kimmel, Career Centre, Parksville

In addition to my duties here at the Chamber of Commerce I am also a member of The Parksville Historical Society, and based on some recent conversations with a variety of concerned citizens it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look at some Parksville history.

1917 - The Island Hall was opened by Winifred Philpott and Joan Foster on March 31st, Good Friday. The population of Parksville was 1,000.

1923 - The community park property was purchased by a group of interested local residents who formed the Parksville District Community Society.

1947 - Mary Sutherland and Eileen Allwood bought the Island Hall Hotel, and would run it for the next 16 years.

In 1971 the population of Parksville was 2100.

In 1982 the population of Parksville was just over 5,000.

In 2000 it was just over 10,000 and today it is just shy of 12,000.

History is important to ensure that current decisions are made in the appropriate context and also to ensure credibility when putting forth concepts and ideas. 

Statements about unmanageable growth, as you can see by the population change in the past ten years, measured against growth in the previous 10 years, are untrue. Parksville experienced enormous growth in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, however, in the current decade it has been a mere 2%.

There has been a great deal of discussion in the past few months about growth in our community, and expressions that growth is contrary to our quality of life.  In the recent past, I have heard some special interest groups express the objective of economic decline in the interest of our quality of life and the environment.  Wow!

How can the reduction in our property values, increase in unemployment, exodus of our productive youth, closure of our local schools and businesses, and a rejection of proven economic principals be in the interest of our quality of life? 

Webacom is pleased to announce they are proud recipients of the award for new media in the 5th Annual MISTIC Science, Technology and Innovation awards ceremony November 3/2010.

It was an incredible honour to attend this gala event put on by MISTIC (Mid-Island Science, Technology and Innovation Council). It felt like the Oscars and looked like it as well from the large stage with balloon creations, elegant table seating, dignitaries and great food. Thanks to both MISTIC organizers and the Vancouver Island Convention Centre located in Nanaimo for an unforgettable evening.

The award was based on use of new media to engage customers. This includes website design and a combination of social media. The real award goes to our customers as we are very appreciative they have allowed us to promote them in sometimes unfamiliar territories.

The sponsor for the new media category was Vancouver Island University, also located in Nanaimo. What irony, considering three students from VIU serving their practicum with Webacom assisted in both the web design and social media programs!

To view photos of the event, click here.

October 7, 2010

The ODCA is proud to announce that two local developments have been selected as finalists for the BC Hydro Power Smart Awards. Of the three finalists selected for this prestigious award the two local developments are Oceanside Village Resort and Corfield Glades.
The BC Hydro Power Smart awards recognize achievements in power conservation.  To have two local developments selected from all of British Columbia shows the commitment the local development community has to energy conservation and sustainability when planning and building their local developments.  For further information on these awards, go to the BC Hydro website.  www.bchydro.com.

 

As the biggest and most important businesses constituency in the country, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its network across the country issued a resounding call to action in the wake of proposed changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program, and plans to increase EI premiums by the maximum allowed under federal legislation. Our voice was heard loudly.

Last night, members of Parliament defeated Bill C-308 — a bill that would have added over $2 billion to the costs of the EI Program, increased work disincentives, hindered labour force mobility and constrained job creation.

Today, the government announced it will be scaling back planned increases in EI premiums. For 2011, EI premiums will rise 5 cents per $100 in insurable earning for employees and 7 cents for employers instead of the maximum 15 cents and 21 cents, respectively. For 2012, premiums will be increased by 10 cents per $100 in insurable earnings for employees and 14 cents for employers instead of the maximum amount.

 

Coastal Colour Printing takes another huge step forward by expanding their digital printing capability. After considerable research, AGS Business Systems (Nanaimo, Parksville) assisted and installed a state-of-the-art digital print press made by Ricoh Equipment, Model 720. Only 1 of 7 now in use across B.C.

These are stationary colour reproduction systems that in some cases improve print quality most often found through Offset print processes only. This print system is particularly affordable and rated as fast or faster than any competitor equipment. The advancement makes short run colour printing and booklet work far more accessible and realistic for many more customers. Another unique aspect is the enviro-friendliness that supports Coastal Colour's recent commitment to become FSC Certified.

Coastal Colour Printing is Oceanside's largest and complete general print operation. They offer full offset and digital printing services, along with graphic design support, to many Island customers requiring simple reproduction work or more complicated company presentation materials. 

PARKSVILLE- Opening a business has become easier thanks to BizPaL, an online service that gives entrepreneurs a personalized list of permits and licences needed to establish and run their business.
“Small business is an important economic driver in Parksville and the mid-Island region. Having a centralized resource on permits, business and regulation from these levels of government makes BizPaL a tremendous asset to any potential new business endeavour,” says Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney.

“Small businesses are the backbone of BC’s economy and supporting them is crucial to a prosperous future,” says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon.