Capital Report~February 20, 2009
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Minister Colin Hansen talks to the news media and stakeholders at the budget lockup, February 17, 2009.

Budget 2009 Builds Stability, Confidence for the Future

Budget 2009 supports infrastructure projects to create thousands of jobs and build opportunities in every region of the province while providing stability and confidence for British Columbians by investing in health, education and social services.

  • Budget 2009 invests almost $14 billion in infrastructure projects in every region of British Columbia.
  • The budget enhances the fundamental public services on which British Columbians depend. As a result of a comprehensive review of government spending that began last fall, $1.9 billion will be reallocated to strengthen health, education and social services.

Click to visit Budget 2009 website.

Canada, B.C. to Create Jobs with $110m Investment

An investment of over $110 million for 41 infrastructure projects will help smaller communities throughout British Columbia meet their pressing infrastructure needs, help stimulate the economy and support continued economic growth.

  • As an example of a project that will be funded, the City of Kamloops will receive $14.2 million from the federal and provincial governments to upgrade and update the existing wastewater treatment plant to provide tertiary treatment and nutrient management.
  • The federal and provincial governments are providing up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments covering the remainder of project funding.

Click for more information.

Major Construction Projects Hold Strong

Despite the global economic downturn, the number and value of major construction projects planned or underway across B.C. went up during the fourth quarter of 2008.

  • Eight hundred and eighty major capital projects, worth an estimated $179.4 billion, were planned or underway in B.C. between October and December 2008.
  • Budget 2009 is investing almost $14 billion in infrastructure projects, separate from the investments listed in the Major Projects Inventory, in every region of British Columbia.

Click for more information.

Saturday February 21

Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister Murray Coell will be a guest on Shaw Victoria’s Constituency Report at 3:00pm.

Sunday February 22

North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Dan Jarvis will be a guest on Shaw Victoria’s Constituency Report at 12:30pm and 5:30pm.

Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister Murray Coell will be a guest on Shaw Victoria’s Constituency Report at 10:00pm.

Monday February 23

Solicitor General John van Dongen will be a guest on CBC Radio 1 Early Edition from 6:20am to 6:25am to discuss the Burnaby Remand Centre.

Finance Minister Colin Hansen will be a guest on CFAX 1070 with Joe Easingwood from 9:05am to 9:30am.

Quotes This Week

"We welcome the government's commitment to spending on healthcare and other infrastructure to stimulate the economy and create jobs."
Debra McPherson, BC Nurses' Union president. BC Nurses Union Press Release, February 16, 2009.

"We are glad to see that the government has recognized that raising minimum wage is not a viable way to stimulate the economy. In so doing they have saved thousands of dollars in extra expenses to small businesses in the province who are already struggling to survive."
John Winter, President, B.C. Chamber of Commerce, B.C. Chamber of Commerce Press Release, February 16, 2009.

"There is a good balance between short-term practicality and long-term focus on strategy. The longer term focus is seen in increased spending on education, which is critical to B.C.'s long-term success."
Mia Maki, Chair of the Certified Management Accountants Society of British Columbia (CMA British Columbia). CMA Press Release, February 17, 2009.


Did You Know?

  • A recent project saw the Prince George Airport runway expanded to 11,450 feet (3,490 metres) making it the third-longest landing strip in Canada.
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  • The B.C. government has once again used its civil forfeiture law to hit back at those who seek to profit through illegal means. A B.C. Supreme Court decision confirmed that $250,000 seized at the Canadian-U.S. border from a currency smuggler should be turned over to the province.
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  • The Province is providing another $8.3 million in funding to help bridge the digital divide for British Columbia First Nations. The funding will be used toward First Nations connectivity to open up social and economic opportunities for rural and remote First Nations communities.

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