Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, is confident that the new Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement will provide a framework through which greater economic prosperity will come for British Columbians and British Columbian companies.

B.C. ranks first in job growth since August 2011 compared to other provinces, followed by Alberta, Quebec and Ontario.

Powell River and Pitt Meadows are joining approximately 110 other B.C. municipalities in making it easier to start and run a business, thanks to BizPaL.

If you know of a deserving individual, business, organization or youth doing exceptional work in multiculturalism in B.C., nominate them for the 2012 Provincial Nesika Awards. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012.

British Columbia is outpacing the rest of the nation in investment attraction. A new report prepared for the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association by Thomson Reuters shows that investment activity in B.C. rose by 71 per cent in the second quarter (Q2) this year compared with 2011.

The Province of British Columbia has issued a proclamation declaring that Aug. 6-12, 2012, shall be known as "Abbotsford International Airshow Week".

Employment numbers in British Columbia dipped in July after slight gains in June, as full-time positions replaced losses of part-time positions.