Shachi Kurl is the new Canadian Federation of Independent Business director of provincial affairs for British Columbia and Yukon.

鈥淪hachi has already hit the ground running. I am delighted to have her on our team that works on behalf of hard-working independent business people in British Columbia and Yukon,鈥� said Laura Jones, senior vice-president research and Western Canada in making the announcement.

Kurl鈥檚 presence effectively scooped news of her arrival during what has been a hectic month, in which CFIB has celebrated its 40th anniversary, celebrates the Year of the Entrepreneur in B.C., and takes a member-based position on the HST referendum.

鈥淚t was a case of diving in at the deep end, but I wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way,鈥� says Kurl.

She has more than a decade of journalism experience in British Columbia. She was the legislative reporter for /A News Vancouver Island, was previously associate producer of Global National News, and has been a contributing columnist for the Vancouver Sun.

She brings a strong sense of provincial political affairs, public policy development and an understanding of the many regions that make up our province.

CFIB is a voluntary membership association that represents the voice of small- and medium-sized business across the country, with more than 10,000 members in B.C. and the Yukon.

For more information, call 604-684-5325 or e-mail msbc@cfib.ca. For more information about CFIB research, news, and analysis, visit www.cfib.ca.

Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.

鈥� Canadian Federation of Independent Business