Capital Report~October 24, 2008
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Premier Gordon Campbell outlined 10 measures to improve the province's economic competitiveness and reduce costs for families and business.

Economic Plan Supports Families and Boosts Productivity

The B.C. Government will take immediate steps to improve the province’s economic competitiveness and reduce costs for families and business in the wake of the global economic slowdown.

  • Premier Campbell outlined 10 key measures that will account for an additional accumulation of $485 million in tax relief and support for businesses, families and individuals over the next three years.

Click for more information.

Premier Announces Measures to Build Economic Strengths

The Province will seek input from British Columbia’s industries and communities and some of the country’s top economic minds to help keep the provincial economy strong for the future.

  • B.C. will work with other provinces and the federal government to eliminate regulatory duplication and reduce costs of federal-provincial overlap.
  • A new Economic Advisory Council will be created, composed of some of Canada’s top CEOs, academics and economists.
  • New measures will be taken to implement the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement with Alberta. The agreement will be fully implemented by April 1, 2009 and create the second-largest economy in Canada.

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Province and VANOC Partner to House the Homeless in B.C.

An agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will create up to 156 units of permanent affordable housing for people most in need across B.C.

  • The project will reconfigure 320 temporary modular housing units from the Olympic and Paralympic Village at Whistler and relocate and convert them as 156 permanent, affordable housing units to six communities across the province.
  • The modular units will be used by VANOC during the Games then relocated to the six communities across B.C. and reconfigured to include a kitchen and bathroom in each unit.

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Saturday, October 25

Minister of Children and Families Tom Christensen will be a guest on CKNW’s Sean Leslie Show from 3:30pm to 4:00pm to discuss foster family month.

Monday, October 27

Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell will be a guest CBC On the Island at 7:50am to discuss TFL #23 decision.

Quotes This Week

“I think it’s a really good idea, because it is broad based. It goes across the province and he’s adding money or giving us money back, giving us money in our pockets. We’re consumers. You give us money in our pockets, we’re going to go out and spend it. I like what’s being done.”
Michael Levy, financial analyst. Global BC News Hour, October 22, 2008 (Commenting on the 10 Point Economic Plan).

“Pleasantly surprised – a very creative package, I think and sort of trying to get out ahead of the coming slowdown; big crisis in North America, even global markets and a sharp downturn. B.C. is being pulled down in the down draft and this is getting out ahead of it. I think it's good news.”
Ken Peacock, financial analyst. Global BC News Hour, October 22, 2008 (Commenting on the 10 Point Economic Plan).

“B.C. appears well-positioned to withstand the pressures of a U.S. recession and an unsettled world economy. Since 2002, we have outperformed Canada on several key metrics of prosperity -- job creation, overall economic growth, gains in both per capita GDP and disposable income, and retail sales.”
Jock Finlayson, executive vice-president of policy Business Council of BC. Vancouver Sun, October 18, 2008.


Did You Know?

  • The BC Public Service has been named one of B.C.’s Top 50 Employers for the second consecutive year. The BC Public Service is the province’s largest employer, with approximately 30,000 employees working in more than 200 different types of jobs in 280 B.C. communities.
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  • New regulations banning expiry dates and fees on most gift cards sold in the province will better protect consumers’ interests. Individuals or businesses that do not comply with the regulations could be subject to penalties, and customers will be entitled to a refund if they are charged fees that are prohibited.
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