| A Year in Review: Creating Jobs, Building a Stronger B.C.
June 3, 2010 A Year in Review: Creating Jobs, Building a Stronger B.C. VICTORIA – Building a strong economy that creates jobs and supports families has been the focus of a year that has seen B.C. host the world, launch a future powered with clean energy and build one the most competitive economies across Canada and around the world. “After the global economic crash, British Columbians were clear they wanted a government that would focus on creating jobs, on building communities and on providing opportunities in every part of the province,” says Government House Leader Michael de Jong. “That’s why our government was elected on a platform to ‘Keep B.C. Strong’ and in the year since government was sworn into office that’s exactly what we’ve done - and our plan is working.” Recent indicators demonstrate B.C. is now positioned to lead the economic recovery in Canada: • The Conference Board of Canada forecasts B.C. will be one of the nation’s leaders in economic growth at 3.8 per cent. • In April alone, B.C. created 12,700 new jobs. Since December 2001, B.C. has added over 400,000 jobs to the economy. • KMPG ranked Vancouver first out of 41 major international cities for business tax competitiveness, citing corporate tax rate cuts and B.C.’s move to adopt the HST as the reasons for Vancouver’s improved ranking. “Everything we do is with an eye to building a stronger province and that means creating jobs in every part of B.C.,” says de Jong. “When people are employed, the economy is strong. A strong economy means dependable investment in the world-class education, healthcare and social support services on which we all depend. That’s why this government remains focused on creating jobs and attracting new investment and new growth to every part of the province.” HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009-2010: ECONOMY • Working and planning for more than a decade went into hosting the most successful Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in history. “The Olympics were a launching pad for B.C.’s future economic growth,” says de Jong. “The Games were a chance to build business relationships around the world, including hosting more than 1,000 delegates at 100 networking events. Those efforts are already paying dividends, with new forestry deals inked with China; collaborative agreements with Washington, Oregon and California on the environment, the economy and innovation; and national economists agree that the Olympics are spurring B.C.’s growth and helping the province lead the country out of economic recession.” • Adopting the Harmonized Sales Tax is the single-biggest move we can make to strengthen our economy, improve our competitiveness and create jobs. “Every single credible economist agrees that the HST is a good move for B.C.; it will boost the competitiveness of our export industries, it will lower costs for small, medium and large businesses, it will bring billions in new investment and it will create an estimated 113,000 jobs,” says de Jong. • Harnessing the power of B.C. through clean, green, renewable electricity generation is the centerpiece of the Clean Energy Act. “The Clean Energy Act unleashes the full potential of our province to be a leader in energy production, creating jobs and economic growth all across B.C.,” says de Jong. “We’ve got unparalleled natural advantages, and we’re going to take full advantage of them.” HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009-2010: SAFER, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES • Implementing the country’s toughest drinking and driving laws gives police in B.C. the authority to take drunk drivers off the roads immediately, with stiff financial penalties and driving sanctions. • Moving to patient-focused funding for hospitals, rather than ‘block’ funding, means better, faster care. • Four school districts have been selected to provide early leadership as the Province moves school districts to shared payroll and business administration systems, which will focus dollars on students instead of administration. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2009-2010: RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE • Maintaining the highest-possible ‘AAA” credit rating, and planning a return to surplus budgets in spite of an unprecedented global economic recession is prudent fiscal management. • After consulting for months with British Columbians around the province, the Local Government Elections Task Force released its final report recommending increased transparency, accountability and accessibility in local elections. “We were elected to make the tough choices and to build a stronger British Columbia for everyone – creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and providing the services people need and want. We have done exactly that over the last year and will continue building this province for the benefit of British Columbians today and tomorrow,” says de Jong. -30- | |
| © 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved. |