2013

October 9, 2013

Given the reported worker shortage in BC, what strategies are being implemented to deal with this issue? Our panel of Guest Speakers to address this topic will be:

1) Onkar Athwal is the Vice President, Human Resources of Canfor Corporation. Mr. Athwal began his career with Canfor as Vice President, Human Resources of Canfor Pulp Products Inc. (CPPI) on January 30, 2012. Prior to joining CPPI in January, 2012, Mr. Athwal was the Vice President, Human Resources & Strategic Planning with All Weather Windows from January 2009 to January 2012. From August 2001 to March 2008, he was Vice President, Human Resources/Operations with B.C. Maritime Employers Association, from August 1999 to July 2001, he served as Director, Labour Relations and from 1990 to July 1999, Manager, Labour Relations. Prior to 1990, he was Human Resources Officer with BC Gas Inc.

2) Philip Hochstein is President of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of BC (ICBA). ICBA services and represents BC’s open shop construction sector that is responsible for 85% of construction work in the province. Philip formerly served as Chair of the Coalition of BC Businesses that represents over 50,000 small and medium sized businesses on labour and employment policy issues, a director of the Port Metro Vancouver, the Board of Directors for the SHARE Family and Community Services Society, the Consumer Protection Authority of BC, and on the Construction Industry’s Benefit Plan Board of Trustees.

3) Jessie Uppal is the Director, Human Rights for the BC Federation of Labour.

VENUE: This meeting will be at Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1763 Comox St. A no host bar opens at 5:30pm with dinner at 6:30pm. Please reserve by October 1, 2013 as we ONLY arrange seating/dinner for advance reservations. Admission without a reservation will not be guaranteed and is more expensive.

February 6, 2013

Please join us for a memorable evening to discuss labour relations in BC. Our Guest Speakers include:

1) The Honourable Pat Bell, Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Training, and Minister responsible for Labour, and MLA for Prince George-McKenzie. He was elected as MLA in 2001, re-elected in 2005 for the riding of Prince George-North, and re-elected again in 2009 for the riding of Prince George-Mackenzie. He has served as the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation; Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands; Minister of Forests and Range; Minister of Agriculture and Lands; and as the first Minister of State for Mining. Pat chairs the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Skills Training. He is also an active member on the Treasury Board, and Priorities and Planning Cabinet Committees. Prior to becoming a MLA, Pat was on the Tourism Prince George board of directors. He has worked in the hospitality business his entire life, both at the corporate level and as a small business owner. He has also owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company.

2) Shane Simpson, MLA: Shane was first elected to represent Vancouver Hastings in the May 2005 provincial election. Born and raised in East Vancouver, Shane has been active in the community for over 30 years. Currently, he is the Opposition Critic for Labour and the Caucus Chair. In his professional career, Shane has worked as the Director of Policy and Communications for Smart Growth BC, Chair of the Vancouver City Planning Commission, Instructor in the Community Economic Development program at Simon Fraser University, Executive Director of the Worker Ownership Resource Center, Legislative Coordinator for the Canadian Union of Public Employees, coordinator and fundraiser for the Ray Cam Cooperative Center, executive assistant to former Vancouver East MP Margaret Mitchell, and as a self-employed consultant on business and economic development for labour, co-operative and non-profit groups.

Our moderator for the evening is Erica Johnson, host of Marketplace on CBC Television. This award-winning CBC journalist is a four-time Gemini nominee for best host of a news/information series, and just won a Leo Award for best host of an information series. Among other television and radio awards, Johnson has won a Freddie, a New York Festival Award, a Golden Sheaf Award, a Gabriel Award, and several RTNDA and Jack Webster Awards.

VENUE CHANGE: This meeting will be at Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1763 Comox St. A no host bar opens at 5:30pm with dinner at 6:30pm. Please reserve by January 30, 2013 as we ONLY arrange seating/dinner for advance reservations. Admission without a reservation will not be guaranteed and is more expensive.