For small construction businesses - especially those in rural or remote areas - finding people to take over those businesses when an owner retires or wants to sell has become increasing difficult due to an aging population.

The province has set a new record that many believed to be unattainable. With lumber export sales of 4.28 billion board feet as of November, exports to China have already surpassed the province's 2008 goal of exporting four billion board feet in 2011.

The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is hosting a speech by Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell on Friday, Jan. 20 in Sidney as part of a workshop to help local businesses and organizations learn the ins and outs of exporting.

The Province is making it easier for small businesses to succeed by increasing access to capital, extending tax credits for trades businesses and reducing and streamlining regulatory requirements.

Premier Christy Clark announced today two British Columbians who will chair the BC Jobs and Investment Board and the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council.

Newcomers in Sooke, Saanich, Langford and Squamish will receive immigrant settlement services for the first time, thanks to new funding of $4.4 million.

The B.C. government is providing a funding boost for a new program to support training for people to work in the mining industry, part of the BC Jobs Plan commitment to provide a solid foundation of skills training to meet labour market demands in key sectors of the economy.

The Province will partner with Campbell River in one of three regional economic development pilot projects as part of the Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.

The Province will partner with communities along the Barriere to McBride corridor in one of three regional economic development pilot projects as part of the Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.