Trade With Asia to Reach New Heights

Transportation links between B.C. and the Asia Pacific were further enhanced today as Cathay Pacific Airways announced it will add four new flights per week between Vancouver and Hong Kong beginning March 30, 2008.

The announcement came during Premier Campbell’s 10-day trade mission to China and India to promote British Columbia as the Pacific Gateway. Other highlights of the mission include:

• Premier Campbell officially opened the Asia Operations office for Victoria-based Royal Roads University in Hong Kong.
• The BC Alumni Ambassador Network was launched in Hong Kong to encourage alumni of B.C. post-secondary institutions living abroad to become Ambassadors for British Columbia.

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Energy and Investment Agreements Build B.C.’s Asia Profile

Four agreements signed between British Columbia and the Province of Guangdong, China will see the sister-provinces build advanced clean-energy partnerships, pursue investment and trade opportunities and share expertise on emergency management.

The four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) cover important areas of mutual interest for B.C. and Guangdong:

• Two MOUs on investment and trade promotion will identify areas for enhanced investment and export, including natural resources, technology, manufacturing, communications and tourism.
• An MOU on clean energy co-operation will see the provinces exchange information on clean energy policies and regulations, such as recent legislation that sets out B.C.’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020. The agreement also serves as a bridge for exchanges between clean energy companies.
• An MOU on sharing emergency management information and expertise will see the two provinces exchange information and delegations and plan for joint training opportunities for emergency management officials.

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Green Fleets B.C. Will Drive Down Emissions

The B.C. Government is investing $500,000 into the Green Fleets B.C. partnership to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. Green Fleets B.C. (GFBC) is a partnership initiative led by the Fraser Basin Council, and will support the provincial government in meeting its clean air and climate change objectives, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.

Specific goals of the program include:

• At least 50 green-rated fleets under the E3 Fleet service by 2010, including the Government of B.C. Fleet.
• Assistance to fleets in using renewable fuels, focusing on education and a distribution infrastructure for biodiesel and helping to meet the provincial government's target of five per cent renewable fuel content in diesel by 2010.
• Ongoing educational outreach on idling reduction through “Idle Free B.C.” branding, website and resources.
• Together with the Ministry of Transportation, B.C. Trucking Association and others, demonstrating green trucking technologies in at least 1,000 commercial trucks, including on-board idling reduction technologies, aerodynamics and fuel-efficient tires.

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What We Heard: British Columbians on Health

The Province has released a summary of the input received from thousands of British Columbians during the year-long Conversation on Health. These comments, ideas and suggestions will assist government in making decisions about the next steps towards the renewal and sustainability of the public health system.

Participants provided wide-ranging and often differing views on how to renew the health system. However, some general themes emerged, with many participants stating they want to see:

• A strong and sustainable public healthcare system today and in the future, where people can access medical services regardless of income, location and other factors.
• More supports for personal health management through health promotion and disease prevention.
• More choices for patients, including more primary care, the creation of specialized geriatric services and health supports that are outside of hospitals and institutional settings. They also want to see more integration and coordination of care between health professionals.
• A system that makes the best use of our health professionals, promoting the maximum use of their skills and exercising a wider scope of practice.

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