News Releases

• 611,424 confirmed cases to date in Canada and 16,074 deaths.
• Total recovered: 517,884 (85%).

• Read here.

Total cases in BC who have tested positive to date: 54,629.

• 367 are hospitalized and 77 are in ICU due to COVID-19.
• 8 new deaths to report today. Total to date: 954.
• 45,999 people with COVID-19 have fully recovered (84%).
• To date, 28,209 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia.

• Read it here.

The BC State of Emergency has been extended until Jan. 19 – read more here.

Other resources and updates regarding BC’s COVID-19 response – visit here.

• 515,314 confirmed cases to date in Canada and 14,332 deaths.
• Total recovered: 423,621 (82%).
• To date, labs across Canada have tested over 12.22 Million people for COVID-19 (with an average of 3.5% positive overall).
• In the past week, an average of 80,109 people have been tested for COVID-19 daily across Canada, with 8% of these people testing positive.

• Read here.

• 79 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region
• 256 in the Fraser Health region
• 9 in the Island Health region
• 78 in the Interior Health region
• 22 in the Northern Health region

Total cases in BC who have tested positive to date: 47,510.

• 357 are hospitalized and 84 are in ICU due to COVID-19.
• 12 new deaths to report today. Total to date: 777.
• 36,094 people with COVID-19 have fully recovered (76%).

• Read it here.

First vaccines given arrive in BC, including Dr. Henry. Read the story here.

Other resources and updates regarding BC’s COVID-19 response – visit here.

• 481,630 confirmed cases to date in Canada and 13,799 deaths.
• Total recovered: 391,946 (81%).
• To date, labs across Canada have tested over 12.22 Million people for COVID-19 (with an average of 3.5% positive overall).
• In the past week, an average of 80,109 people have been tested for COVID-19 daily across Canada, with 8% of these people testing positive.

• Read here.

• 145 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region
• 403 in the Fraser Health region
• 4 in the Island Health region
• 66 in the Interior Health region
• 47 in the Northern Health region

Total cases in BC who have tested positive to date: 44,776.

• 358 are hospitalized and 93 are in ICU due to COVID-19.
• 21 new deaths to report today. Total to date: 713.
• 32,963 people with COVID-19 have fully recovered (74%).

• Read more here.

• Read it here.

Other resources and updates regarding BC’s COVID-19 response – visit here.

• 468,862 confirmed cases to date in Canada and 13,553 deaths.
• Total recovered: 379,467 (81%).
• To date, labs across Canada have tested over 12.22 Million people for COVID-19 (with an average of 3.5% positive overall).
• In the past week, an average of 80,109 people have been tested for COVID-19 daily across Canada, with 8% of these people testing positive.
• The first COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in Canada and up to 249K doses of the vaccine from Pfizer this month is expected.

Read more about the latest vaccine developments for Canada.

• Read here.

• Read here.

• 84 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region
• 338 in the Fraser Health region
• 7 in the Island Health region
• 56 in the Interior Health region
• 37 in the Northern Health region

Total cases in BC who have tested positive to date: 43,463.

• 361 are hospitalized and 93 are in ICU due to COVID-19.
• 21 new deaths to report today. Total to date: 668.
• 31,866 people with COVID-19 have fully recovered (73%).

• Read it here.

For Immediate Release

December 3, 2020

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS BY NEW BC MINISTER OF ENERGY, MINES AND LOW CARBON INNOVATION SENDS IMPORTANT MESSAGE, SAYS NEW CAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION

Vancouver, BC – The New Car Dealers Association of BC says the first order of business by the new Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, to double the rebate for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at home and work, speaks volumes about the government’s level of commitment to supporting ongoing adoption of clean energy vehicles among British Columbians.

Today, the Honourable Minister Bruce Ralston announced that the Province is doubling the amount per rebate, to buy and install EV charging stations at home and work. The rebates will be offered through Clean BC’s Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and the EV Ready programs.

“British Columbia has seen the largest uptake of electric vehicles across the country and is currently the largest seller per capita in North America,” explains Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. “The province has rightfully taken notice of this success and has now doubled the rebates for home and workplace EV charging stations to further encourage buyers to make the switch. I’m looking forward to the future and the positive impact it will have on the transition to EVs in the province.”

To help with the up-front costs that come with purchasing EVs, customers can access double the previous rebates available. Homeowners can get a rebate of up to 50% of purchase and installation costs of an eligible EV charger to a maximum of $700. Workplaces and residents living in condos or apartments that purchase and install chargers can receive a rebate of up to 50% of costs to a maximum of $4,000. Applications open tomorrow, December 4, and can be found at https://goelectricbc.gov.bc.ca/.

“While EV adoption continues to grow in this province, we know that access to much needed infrastructure will help convince people to make the leap,” continued Qualey. “Today’s announcement is precisely the kind of initiative required to help incent people to make a decision that will be good for the environment and the economy.”

The province is also offering added support for those looking to make the switch. Consumers are eligible for up to five hours of free support services from an EV charging station advisor to help them move from the simple idea to actual installation.

About the New Car Dealers Association of BC: The NCDA is the provincial industry association that represents close to 400 new car and truck dealers throughout British Columbia. Members of the Association provide over 30,000 family supporting jobs for British Columbians and are responsible for over $16 Billion of retail sales in the province. The Association speaks on behalf of the retail new automotive industry to the public, media, and government, and deals primarily with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in BC.

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Contact:
Shona Wercholuk
604-805-4821
[email protected]

For Immediate Release
November 5, 2020

Williams Lake, BC – The New Car Dealers of BC would like to congratulate Brian Garland of Cariboo Auto Group in Williams Lake, BC, who has won the 2020 Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) Laureate dealer recognition award for Ambassadorship.

For more than 15 years the Laureate award has been recognized as the highest honour a new car and truck dealer can receive over the course of his or her career. Although hundreds of nominations are received each year, only three individuals among more than 3,200 association member dealers in Canada win the award each year. Self-nominations are not accepted.

“I am immensely proud of all of the hard work our new car dealers do across the great province of British Columbia,’ explains Blair Qualey, President and CEO, New Car Dealers of BC. “It is a great honour to see such a deserving dealer in BC recognized for all of his incredible contributions to our sector. And I thank CADA for all the work they do and for recognizing the work of amazing dealers like Brian Garland in BC.”

Brian has been instrumental in Cariboo Auto Group’s success, but perhaps more impressively has acted as the unofficial mayor of Williams Lake through all of his community building and initiatives. It is the diversity of his efforts that make Brian so unique, as he has aimed to strengthen community above and beyond the confines of his business.

Brian has created and chaired multiple industry committees in Williams Lake and brought the first agricultural program in BC to Thompson Rivers University. He also established the TRU GRIT group to save the local university, and his initiatives on youth and music education are truly inspirational.

“When I found out I had won the Laureate award, I was overwhelmed with humility, and honoured to be in the special company of previous winners,” says Brian Garland. “People often come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got an idea for something.’ I think they know that car dealers can make things happen. Nobody’s waiting there to make it easy. You just have to make it work.”

About the New Car Dealers Association of BC: The NCDA is the provincial industry association that represents more than 390 new car and truck dealers throughout British Columbia. Members of the Association provide over 30,000 family supporting jobs for British Columbians and are responsible for over $16-Billion of retail sales in the province. The Association speaks on behalf of the retail new automotive industry to the public, media, and government, and deals primarily with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in BC.

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Contact:
Shona Wercholuk
604-805-4821
[email protected]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Over the last several months, our industry, and the world have been experiencing challenges that most of us have never seen before. Even now, it is uncertain when, or if a complete recovery will take place.

So, when we decided to start ADESA Vancouver’s 49th Anniversary with a fund-to-need for the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, we were uncertain whether it would be a success. Then our friends at First Canadian offered to match donations up to $10,000, and we asked ourselves – can we expect our customers to put themselves before others, and give so much in these turbulent times?

The answer was a resounding yes. Together, we raised $29,450.00 for the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC!
It is hard to put into words, the feelings of warmth and compassion that grew in our hearts, as we watched the bidding screen go up, and up again from your donations. The difficulties we’ve all been facing make your generosity so much more remarkable. By giving back, you’ve showed everyone that you believe in and care about the future of our automotive industry. A special thank-you also goes out to John Wynia, former Chair of the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, for generously donating his 1993 Harley Davidson Motorcycle to help us raise funds.

Charitable organizations such as the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, are some of the worst impacted by the Covid19 Pandemic. The lack of fundraising events for the foreseeable future has severely limited the Foundation’s ability to provide grants and scholarships to young people studying to join the automotive industry, as well as supporting local charities such as Special Olympics BC.

Your donations will go a long way in keeping the Foundation on track. Bringing hope and assistance to those in need. If you’d like to learn more about what we do, please visit newcardealersfoundation.ca
From all of us at the New Car Dealers Foundation of BC, THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Heather Headley
Chair
New Car Dealers Foundation of BC

Matching Funds from First Canadian!

This Thursday July 23, at the ADESA Auction, with every vehicle you buy or sell at ADESA, you will have the option to add a donation to the New Car Dealers Foundation. Our friends at First Canadian will MATCH your donation, up to $10,000!

The New Car Dealers Foundation of BC exists to provide CarCareerBC grants and scholarships to young people for automotive industry programs that lead to work at new car dealerships and supports other charities throughout BC where local dealers are involved.

We have the opportunity to make a huge impact on the lives of Special Olympics BC Athletes and students around the province, but we can’t do it without your support. Thanks for getting involved with this great initiative! For more information or questions, please contact: [email protected]

Thank you for your support!

Check out this short video message from the Foundation’s Chair, Heather Headley, Adesa’s John Macdonald and NCDA’s Blair Qualey.

A special message of thanks from Special Olympics of BC’s President, Dan Howe:

“To all our friends in the automotive community, we wanted to say hello and thank you.

For approximately 35 years, new car dealers have been there to support Special Olympics BC. Now, in these tumultuous times, we wanted to let you know, we haven’t forgotten about you and the tremendous impact you have had on the growth, development, and credibility of Special Olympics and the wonderful athletes that benefit so much for involvement.

One such athlete, Matthew Williams (you might remember him from the numerous times he has spoken at New Car Dealers of BC association events), wanted to say hello and to let you all know that even in these different times, he is able to stay active and connected, in no small part because of your significant support. The feelings Matthew expresses are his, but they represent all athletes, volunteers, and family and friends of Special Olympics BC.

As restrictions ease, we hope that it won’t be long until we can all see you again. Like Matthew, we thank you for your support.

Please click here to see Matthew’s message.”

For Immediate Release

Recommendations to Rev-Up Economic Recovery in the 2021 BC Budget Submission 

Victoria, BC – As British Columbia phases in a re-start of the economy, the New Car Dealers of BC (NCDA) can be a significant part of the solution. And they will be in a better position to do so if government accepts recommendations to further incentivize consumers and address key obstacles – and in doing so, drive local economies across the province.

During a virtual appearance before the Select Standing Committee on Finance, as part of its pre-budget consultation, NCDA President and CEO Blair Qualey made several recommendations to spark consumer spending.

The recommendations include adjustments to the luxury tax on vehicles, which applies to all vehicles over $55,000. Right now, B.C. car buyers pay seven percent PST on vehicles priced below $55,000. That rises to eight percent for vehicles priced between $55,000 and $55,999, to nine percent on a price of $56,000 to $56,999 and 10 percent for vehicles priced more than $57,000. In 2018, additional super taxes were added for buyers of vehicles with MSRPs between $125,000 and $149,000 requiring a 15 percent PST, while cars priced at $150,000 and higher come with a 20 percent PST hit. These luxury vehicle surtaxes have had the unintended consequence of a 33% decrease in PST remittances, as many buyers are traveling out of province to make purchases.

As an urgent measure, the NCDA recommends removing the tax on all work trucks, which applies to pickup trucks starting at this price.

The NCDA is also recommending an ongoing funding commitment to the highly successful CleanBC-Go Electric Vehicle Purchase and Scrap-It BC programs, to incentivize consumers to purchase greener vehicles. BC’s electric vehicle adoption was the highest in North America in 2019, with 10% EV sales compared to all new vehicle sales – compared to 7% in Quebec and 8% in California. The NCDA recommends additional funding to continue this trend and encourage British Columbians to get moving again and drive recovery for tourism, hospitality, and retail industries. In lockstep with vehicle purchase incentives, continuing investments in charging stations around BC where consumers live, work and play continue to be important.

The NCDA also recommended the continued investment in skilled trades training in the province. As more and more consumers are choosing to drive EV’s, cars and trucks are becoming more technically complex, it is imperative that continued funding goes into programs like the newly developed EV Maintenance Training Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

“There is no doubt that the auto industry in BC has endured a significant economic impact because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” explains Blair Qualey, President and CEO. “The auto industry is a huge driver of the economy and acting on these recommendations will help get people and business moving again as quickly as possible.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact for the economy and the auto industry was no exception. Through these challenges all 390 new car dealerships remained open, thanks in part to the tools and guidelines offered by the NCDA – which helped build confidence with consumers and dealers alike.

BC’s New Car Dealers provide over 30,000, well paying, family-supporting jobs and contribute more than $675 million in total tax revenues annually for all three levels of government.

About the New Car Dealers Association of BC: The NCDA is the provincial industry association that represents more than 390 new car and truck dealers in 55 communities throughout British Columbia. Members of the Association provide over 30,000 family supporting jobs for British Columbians and are responsible for over $16-billion of retail sales in the province. The Association speaks on behalf of the retail new automotive industry to the public, media, and government, and deals primarily with the legal, environmental, and consumer issues relating to vehicle sales in BC. The NCDA owns and manages the Vancouver International Auto Show, which was postponed due to COVID-19 health orders.

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Contact:
Shona Wercholuk
604-805-4821
[email protected]