The new judges are Micah Rankin, Charles Hutchison  and Jodi Michaels.

Rankin will be assigned by the judiciary to Victoria. Rankin has more than 18 years of legal experience, having served as chair of the board of directors of Access Pro Bono and as pro bono counsel for several organizations, including the BC Civil Liberties Association. In 2011, Rankin was a founding member of Thompson Rivers University’s faculty of law, returning to practice in 2018 with the Ministry of Attorney General, before transitioning to the BC Prosecution Service’s Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions Unit in 2020. In recognition of professional excellence, Rankin was appointed King’s Counsel in 2023.

Hutchinson, who will be assigned by the judiciary to Prince George, brings more than 12 years of legal experience. Upon being called to the bar in 2013, Hutchinson opened a private practice in Prince George, focused on criminal defence, family law and child-protection matters. Since 2017, Hutchinson has also served as a local agent for Legal Aid BC in the Vanderhoof and Fort St. James area, overseeing intake services and working and travelling throughout northern B.C.

Michaels will be assigned by the judiciary to Dawson Creek. Michaels brings more than 13 years of legal experience across criminal, family and civil litigation. After being called to the bar in 2012, Michaels opened a practice handling criminal defence, family litigation and parents’ counsel work, as well as a broad range of civil matters, including civil forfeiture proceedings, ICBC plaintiff litigation, and residential tenancy and property disputes.

Judges are appointed after a multi-step process that starts with interested lawyers applying and the Judicial Council of B.C. reviewing the candidates. The council is a statutory body made up of the chief judge, an associate chief judge, other judges, lawyers and members from outside the legal profession. The council recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council. Although judges are assigned to a judicial region, many use technology, such as videoconferencing, for court proceedings, enabling the court to provide timely access to justice for all British Columbians. Judges also travel regularly throughout the province to meet demands.

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This merger represents a significant milestone in the business community, bringing together two like-minded organizations to serve better the needs and interests of Surrey and White Rock businesses. The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade will leverage both organizations’ strengths, resources, and investments to provide its members with enhanced support, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

“This merger is a test of members’ commitment to the collective vision and dismembers,” said Bill Brooks, Board Chair of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. Together, we will be a stronger voice for businesses, driving positive change and opportunities for growth.”

“We are thrilled to announce the successful approval of the merger between the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade,” said Rory Morgan, Board Chair of the Surrey Board of Trade. “This decision reflects our shared commitment to fostering economic growth, innovation, and prosperity in our communities.”

The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade will build on the legacy of both organizations while introducing new initiatives and programs to meet the evolving needs of businesses in the region. Members will still enjoy their current benefits and events but have expanded networking opportunities, advocacy efforts, educational resources, and access to a broader network of business leaders and decision-makers.

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including the Organized Crime Agency of BC, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, and the New
Westminster Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit.
Significant investments continue for enhanced and specialized enforcement activities related to
guns, gangs and illicit drug trafficking throughout British Columbia. Every year, $100 million is
invested to bolster provincial firearm forensic capabilities, strengthen gang enforcement and
suppression initiatives, and support community-based prevention and intervention programs.

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By Charles Lammam
and Ben Eisen
The Fraser Institute

VANCOUVER, Troy Media: Each year the Fraser Institute measures and ranks the performance of Canada’s premiers in terms of how well they managed provincial finances while in office. Premiers who managed spending more prudently, balanced the books and paid down debt, and reduced and maintained competitive tax rates, rank higher. This year, Premier Christy Clark ranked first overall, essentially tied with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard for the best record, followed closely by Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.

Let’s start with what Clark has done well over the period she is evaluated (2011/12 to 2014/15).

Clark managed the growth in government spending more prudently compared to her counterparts. During her tenure, she increased program spending by an average annual rate of 2.1 per cent, just enough to keep pace with the combined rate of inflation and population growth.

BC Premier Christy Clark’s biggest weakness with respect to fiscal policy is in the area of taxation

Importantly, the rate of government spending growth under Clark’s tenure was less than the rate of economic growth (3.7 per cent). As a result, the size of B.C.’s government – measured as spending relative to the provincial economy – decreased, meaning the provincial government now plays a less prominent role in B.C.’s economy.

Another bright spot for Clark is that her government has consistently balanced the books. In recent years, several provinces have consistently run budget deficits while B.C. has posted surpluses. In fact, Clark is one of only two premiers (along with Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall) to maintain a small budget surplus, on average, while in office.

Despite finishing on top, Premier Clark’s record has weaknesses. For example, despite avoiding annual budget deficits, Clark has allowed government debt to grow under her watch – by almost $7 billion. This is mainly the result of substantial capital spending by the B.C. government being financed by debt. As a percentage of the economy, the provincial debt burden has grown from 15.7 per cent to 16.4 per cent.

But Clark’s biggest weakness with respect to fiscal policy is in the area of taxation. Two problems stand out.

First, she increased B.C.’s general corporate income tax rate from 10 to 11 per cent, making the province less competitive for investment compared to other jurisdictions. And this increase came on top of reinstating the economically damaging Provincial Sales Tax, which taxes the business inputs used by entrepreneurs and raises the cost of investment.

Second, Clark presided over, and has so far failed to reform, a relatively complicated personal income tax system with five separate tax brackets – the second most among her provincial counterparts. She also enacted a temporary increase in the top income tax bracket for two years that was ultimately eliminated in the 2016 tax year.

In order to build on the strong elements of B.C.’s fiscal policy framework, and to make the province’s tax system more competitive, the Clark government should reverse the recent corporate income tax rate hike and implement a plan to offset the marked increase in the cost of business investment associated with the re-introduction of the PST, especially since almost all of B.C.’s competitors have moved to a value-added tax like the now-abolished HST.

On personal income taxes, simplifying the system by reducing the number of tax brackets and the existing top rate would give B.C. a key competitive advantage over other jurisdictions.
All told, Premier Clark’s record on fiscal policy is positive. There is still, however, room for improvement.

Charles Lammam is director of fiscal studies and Ben Eisen is associate director of provincial prosperity studies at the Fraser Institute. The study, Measuring the Fiscal Performance of Canada’s Premiers, is available at www.fraserinstitute.org.

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