British Columbia Industrial Design Association

The BCID has been invited to participate in a government initiative to clarify federal and provincial tax information documentation specifically affecting the Design Consultant industries. If your business has had issues or concerns related to PST and/or GST, this is your opportunity to be heard. The deadline for response is August 30th, 2006. For further information on how to participate and to download the appropriate forms, please follow this link.

TIP-summary.pdf
Design Consultant (right click and save as)

Overview
The Ministry of Small Business and Revenue is currently working on the Taxpayer Information Project (TIP). The goal of TIP is to rewrite and create new materials in plain language that explain how provincial taxes apply to specific industries. As part of TIP, a suite of informational products has been developed that will make provincial tax information clear and easy to understand, more accessible, and focuses on the needs of our customers. If you would like to read more about the project, please read the attached summary:

2 Step Consultation Process

Step 1
To ensure that we meet the needs of your industry, we are asking you to participate in the consultation process with us. The first consultation is to solicit your suggestions/comments on the attached proposed outline of topics we are considering for our public information materials: <>. We would appreciate that all responses be returned no later than August 30, 2006 . Replies can be sent directly back to Danna.Thoroughgood@gov.bc.ca by email or by fax to 1-250-356-2340.

Step 2
For the second consultation, we will send you a copy of the final draft of the proposed public information materials for your review. As feedback from your industry is important to us, I would appreciate you soliciting feedback from your membership as you see fit.

For both consultations, we welcome all suggestions you may have. However, if your suggestion requires new policy, or a change in current policy or legislation, we will put you in contact with the appropriate area of the ministry that can assist you. To see recent public information materials that we have produced for other industries, please visit our website at www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ctb/industry.htm

For more information please contact:

Danna Thoroughgood,
Public Information Policy Analyst
Customer Service and Information Branch
6th floor, 1802 Douglas Street
Victoria BC
Email: Danna.Thoroughgood@gov.bc.ca

Tel: 250 387-1937
Fax: 250 356-2340

The Design Exchange Awards competition aims to promote Canadian design excellence and recognizes the critical role of design in all types of organizations including commercial entities (large and small businesses), not-for-profit organizations, and the public sector. The Awards celebrate the success stories achieved through close partnerships between clients and designers. The DXA are Canada’s only award program to judge design by results, balancing function, aesthetics and economic success.

These awards are designed to:

* Expand national understanding of design as an essential resource
* Demonstrate that investment in design impacts overall business success
* Celebrate effectiveness in all design disciplines
* Highlight the critical role of design in enhancing quality of life
* Reinforce the value of strong client/designer partnerships
* Promote the critical role of design in sustainability

By entering the DXA you are eligible to win an award and to have your project exhibited at the Design Exchange.  A jury of leading business executives, designers and community leaders will select up to three winners in each of the twelve categories. The Design Exchange Award winners will be announced, and the awards presented, at a gala dinner at the Design Exchange in Fall 2006.

2006 DXA Categories:

ARCHITECTURE – COMMERCIAL
Public and corporate structures

ARCHITECTURE – RESIDENTIAL
Private residences

ENGINEERING
Building Technology, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer (including software),
Environmental, Industrial, Mechanical, Product, Structural, Transportation

FASHION DESIGN
Apparel, textiles, footwear, jewelry and accessories

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Industrial products produced for industry and/or consumer products available to the public (i.e. furniture, electronics, etc.)

INTERIOR DESIGN – COMMERCIAL
Retail, public and corporate interiors

INTERIOR DESIGN – RESIDENTIAL
Private interiors

INTERIOR DESIGN – TEMPORARY or PORTABLE
Set, theatre, exhibit

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
Commercial, residential and public landscapes

URBAN DESIGN
Streetscapes: infrastructure projects and master plans

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS: BRAND AND IDENTITY
Marketing, way finding, package, corporate identity, etc.

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS: CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND EDITORIAL
Brochures, newspapers, magazines, books, video games, interactive media, websites, etc.

Special Award (by Nomination)

CANADIAN COMPANY OR CEO WITH THE BEST DESIGN STRATEGY
The CEO with the Best Design Strategy will be the leader of an organization that uses design and innovation as a major component of its business strategy and corporate vision.

Please contact dxa@dx.org if you have any questions about registration /submissions