The Prince George Chamber of Commerce was proud to once again take part in the Big Squeeze in partnership with the Prince George Community Foundation, helping raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC.

This year, we embraced a fun country cowboy theme, serving up refreshing Sparkling Peach Lemonade while welcoming visitors to our stand. Our Youth Ambassador, Mila Millions, was the star of the day, cheerfully serving community members who stopped by to support this incredible cause.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out, made a donation, and helped make the day such a success. Seeing our community rally together for such an amazing cause is what makes events like the Big Squeeze so special.

Thank you to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC for another fantastic event. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to saddle up and do it again next year!

Export Navigator is a program that helps B.C. businesses diversify and grow by guiding them through the export process. Participating businesses are paired with community-based advisors who provide free support and ongoing guidance. We also offer specialized services for businesses owned by Indigenous Peoples.

Sponsor:

• Travel Bytes Travel & Cruise
• Clear Security Solutions Inc.
• Western Shield Insurance Solutions
• Emilie Kearnan Consulting
• Agile Bookkeeping
• Gordon Andersen Holdings
• Niven Contracting
• LEP Engineering
• Total Body Laser

Hello and Hadih.

It’s been just under a month since Canfor announced the closure of the Northwood Pulp Mill at the end of the year. The loss of 300 direct jobs plus as many as 200 indirect jobs, along with the loss of tax revenue for the City of Prince George, will be felt in 2027 and beyond.

Plenty of work is happening behind the scenes to soften the impact. Area staff with the provincial Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth have assembled a community transition team – which includes the Chamber and numerous other government agencies, public and private sector organizations, and business associations – to work with the union and Canfor staff to share information and identify employment and retraining opportunities.

For example, the Chamber has been working as an advisor with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society for more than a year on its Northern BC Workforce Career Transition Training Project. Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Retraining and Opportunities Initiative, this project was specifically created to support workers affected by mass layoffs in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Quesnel, and area communities. In other words, this project has funding to specifically assist displaced workers like those affected by the Northwood closure.

Furthermore, the Prince George economy is in a strong position to absorb the broader impact. The June unemployment rate in Prince George was 3.1 per cent, which is less than half the 6.5 per cent provincial unemployment rate and 2.6 per cent lower than it was in June 2025. There are 10,000 more people working in Prince George than there were last year at this time, according to Statistics Canada, with 7,000 of those new positions being full-time. Some employers in various sectors in the area are already struggling to attract and retain workers, from entry-level service sector positions up to higher skilled professionals.

Meanwhile, thousands more workers will be needed for the multiple local and regional major projects ramping up:

• The 11-storey, $1.6 billion acute care tower project at the University Hospital of Northern BC.
• Enbridge’s $4-billion Sunrise Expansion Project of the Westcoast pipeline system.
• Phase 1 and Phase 2 of BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission Line project.
• Phase 2 of the Coastal GasLink LNG project.
• The Nilhts’i Ecoener Wind Farm project near Hixon.

Northwood’s closure is a tragedy as part of the overall decline in forestry over the past couple of decades and the province needs to do more to make the BC forest sector more competitive in the global marketplace. In the meantime, however, we currently have no shortage of employment and economic opportunities in Northern BC.

All the best to you and your business.

Neil

We’re turning Prince George into a playground for local love! Each week this summer, we’ll drop a new clue on our Instagram and Facebook stories that leads you to one of our member businesses. Be the first to crack it, head to the right spot, and say, “I’m here for the Chamber Scavenger Hunt!”—you’ll win a prize from that business!

This week’s clue:

Where northern fruit is transformed with patient care,

A waterside retreat beyond compare.

Vegan, sustainable, and crafted to impress,

Come discover what the north does best.

🏆 Everyone who visits the location can also enter our End of Summer Grand Prize Draw—so swing by even if you’re not first!

Want to contribute to the grand prize? Reach out to our Partnership Manager, Coleen Sparrow, to get involved!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get each week’s clue and join the hunt!

Your parking lot is the first impression your business makes. Keep it safe, clean, and looking its best in every season with Laser Pavement Solutions.

We deliver complete, year-round property care tailored to the changing weather:

·       Spring: Power sweeping, asphalt repairs, and essential maintenance.

·       Summer: Fresh line painting, precision crack sealing, and protective seal coating.

·       Winter: Reliable snow removal and sanding to keep your lot safe and hazard-free.

Protect your investment, ensure visitor safety, and extend the lifespan of your pavement. Contact us today for a free estimate or ask about our hassle-free Annual Maintenance Plan.

Laser Pavement Solutions — Improving Communities.

On July 20, the U.S. announced 50% tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, taking effect August 19. While much of the coverage has focused on alcohol, dairy, and autos, the actual product lists reach much further — sweeping in wood products, food, manufactured goods, and much more. Unlike earlier trade actions, these tariffs offer no exemptions for CUSMA-compliant goods.

The BC Chamber of Commerce has put together the attached explainer, detailing what’s included, how B.C. sectors are exposed, and practical steps businesses can take to prepare.

Complete the survey by scanning the QR code or visiting:

We encourage all local businesses to participate and have their voices heard.

Are you looking to showcase your business and connect with Prince George’s business community? The Chamber has openings for Business Showcase Collaborations events throughout 2026! These events are an excellent opportunity to increase visibility, engage with local leaders, and make valuable connections.

Available dates to select from are:

September 15th, 2026

September 22nd, 2026

October 8th, 2026

October 27th, 2026

November 17th, 2026

November 19th, 2026

November 24th, 2026

December 8th, 2026

December 17th, 2026

If you’re interested in partnering with us on one of these dates, please reach out to Colleen Sparrow at membership@pgchamber.bc.ca for more information!

Prince George Chamber of Commerce

1564 7th Ave, Prince George, BC

(250) 562 - 2454

Premier Partners: