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The article offers news briefs from Canada. An internal report prepared for the Canada Revenue Agency and released this fall singled out the construction sector for a significant part of the blame. The country's 266,000 construction firms earn about $135 billion annually; most of these businesses consist of fewer than 10 employees. Garry Spence, director of investigations and enforcement for the province's Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority, wonders how some people sleep at night. Spence's unit enforces a 2004 provincial act that consolidates British Columbia's previous consumer protection laws. INSET: They're watching you..

Forget the old news money-and-power set. 25 "newcomers" are putting British Columbia on the map as a center of creativity and innovation and boosting our reputation on the world stage as a city to reckon with. What does seem to be new in the realm of Innovation and Big Ideas is a focus on melding the perspectives from the worlds of arts and science and entrepreneurship and underscoring divergent thinking. Luckily for this province's economy, there are a lot more innovators out there than they would ever have space for here, call it a sampling of some of the best people who fit the description of innovator.

The town of Kitimat owes its life to Alcan. But times have changed and in a desperate measure, it is taking its benefactor to British Columbia Supreme Court over an issue the town believes threatens its very existence. Kitimat was supposed to be a model community of 50,000. Kitimat was carved out of the woods to provide homes for thousands of workers drawn by good jobs at Alcan's new smelter and what the government promised would be a booming manufacturing centre, and a perfect place to raise a family in a prosperous British Columbia.

Presents occupational, professional and personal suggestions from executives in different fields of work in British Columbia. Contention of Paul Kedrosky on becoming a successful pundit; Importance of focus in making curry; Tips from Dal Richards for avoiding retirement.

The article focuses on the growth in the real estates industry in British Columbia. The outdoor recreation capital of Canada is rapidly becoming the real estate queen of British Columbia. Real estate prices on the Drive have been surging. Typical houses go for around $450,000 and it is common for them to sell for up to $70,000 over the asking price.

Reports business developments in British Columbia as of April 2001. Appointment of Dean Fleming as marketing director of M5 Design Group; Honor given to Rajinder Kahlon as Citizen of the Year by the Squamish Chamber of Commerce; Introduction of the Vancouver Centre for IBM electronic business Innovation at the IBM Business Innovation Centre.

Comments on business issues in British Columbia. Need for chief financial officers to submit fiscal 2000 results to PricewaterhouseCoopers; Research and compilation of the list of the biggest companies; Details of the venture addressed to chief executive officers and human resources directors.