This session provides an overview of key provincial and federal programs designed to support businesses at every stage of development — from startup to expansion and recovery. Participants will gain insight into the eligibility criteria, funding opportunities, and application processes for a range of initiatives that help strengthen business resilience, competitiveness, and innovation.
The presentation will also highlight which programs are available to Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses, helping participants better guide entrepreneurs and community organizations toward the most appropriate resources.
In addition to program overviews, the session will outline resources for ongoing support, including local and regional organizations that provide one-on-one assistance, advisory services, and training. Participants will leave with practical information on where to direct clients for further assistance, ensuring that businesses in their communities can access the full range of available support.
Speaker: Swin Chai, Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth more info...
Join BC Hydro and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for this free virtual session to learn about opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to access funding for equipment upgrades that reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency.
You will hear directly from industry experts, including BC Hydro President and CEO Charlotte Mitha, on how you can receive a no-cost energy assessment for your business through energy advisors. They will show you ways to earn rewards by shifting energy use, provide you with tailored recommendations to improve energy efficiency, and identify valuable incentives available through BC Hydro. You will also learn how to earn rewards through participation in their demand response events.
Register now to find out how you can turn energy savings into business savings.
Are you a government or non-profit organization that supports economic growth in British Columbia or the Yukon, interested in discovering how federal procurement can unlock new growth opportunities for your community? If so, you are invited to attend a free seminar focusing on the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy.
What is the ITB Policy?
The ITB Policy is a federal procurement offsets policy which enables Canadian businesses and post-secondary institutions across a broad variety of industries to work with prime contractors. The policy, managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), contractually requires firms awarded defence and/or Canadian Coast Guard contracts over $100 million to undertake business activities in Canada equal to the value of those contracts. This creates significant opportunities for Canadian SMEs and post-secondary institutions with activities in a range of commercial areas to collaborate with prime contractors as suppliers, contributing to jobs, innovation and economic growth. There is no requirement for suppliers to have a direct defence-related product or service.
Seminar Overview
The seminar is designed to give foundational knowledge on how to engage with the ITB Policy and provide information to economic development practitioners who support British Columbian and Yukon organizations. You’ll hear directly from government departments, prime contractors, and suppliers who have participated in ITB-related contracts. Each presentation will include a Q&A session.
There will be options to attend virtually, or in-person for those located near Invest Vancouver’s Burnaby office. We look forward to having you join us at this seminar!
BCEDA members have been sent a link to register, and may contact info@bceda.ca for details.
Trade relations between Canada and the United States continue to evolve amid shifting political landscapes, emerging economic priorities, and new tariff measures. For Northern British Columbia, where key industries depend on cross-border flows of goods, investment, and labour, these changes carry significant implications.
This webinar will unpack recent and upcoming developments in Canada and U.S. trade policy. From sector-specific tariffs on softwood lumber, steel, and aluminum to broader initiatives designed to strengthen domestic supply chains and protect regional competitiveness. Participants will gain insight into how these shifts may influence export markets, local manufacturing, and community economic development in local, regional and Indigenous communities.
Join us for an informed discussion on what Northern BC communities and businesses can expect in the months ahead, how governments are responding to tariff impacts, and what strategies local leaders can use to navigate and capitalize on the evolving Canada and U.S. trade environment.
Speaker: Diamond Isinger. Diamond brings firsthand experience from Canada’s highest levels of government, having advised on Canada-U.S. relations and global trade negotiations during her time in the Prime Minister’s Office and Global Affairs Canada.