jump to navigation

Jobs, Families and Open Government November 30, 2011

Posted by admin in : Bill Bennett , comments closed

The BC Liberal Party wants to keep you up to speed on what is happening and how we are standing up for BC’s diverse families, focusing on good jobs in the private sector and opening up government.

Recently, I was on the Voice of BC program hosted by Vaughn Palmer. View the full interview of Vaughn asking me tough questions on what has been on the hearts and minds of British Columbians during the fall session.

Voice of Bc _ Premier’s Point of View from Voice of BC on Vimeo.

We have accomplished a lot during this Fall Legislative Session, including:

1. The BC Jobs Plan and Asia Trade Mission

A commitment to make the most of our position as Canada’s gateway to the Asia Pacific, expanding markets for B.C. products particularly in Asia. A commitment to strengthen our infrastructure to get our goods to market and commitment to work with employers and communities, enabling job creation across B.C.Also during the session was the completion of the BC Jobs and Trade Mission where more than 60 business deals and partnership agreements were signed or announced, while Premier Clark attended approximately 70 events and meetings with business and political leaders in China and India.

2. $353-million to build new schools

Students will benefit from new or expanded schools, as the Province rolls out a $353-million school capital plan. The plan includes: six new elementary schools, one new middle school, two new secondary schools, four school additions and six school site purchases – four of which are for future schools.

3. Municipal Auditor General Office

Getting the most value for money will be easier for local governments now that the Province is introducing legislation to establish an Office of the Auditor General for Local Government. The office will support the goals of the Families First Agenda by strengthening local government accountability and ensuring B.C. families receive the best possible return on investment for their taxpayer dollar

4. Support for thousands of ship building jobs

The province worked together with industry and other stakeholders to address labour force priorities related to this once-in-a-lifetime shipbuilding opportunity. Now, we’re gearing up to take full advantage of the economic and job opportunities resulting from the $8-billion shipbuilding contract awarded to Seaspan last month.

5. A family law act to put children first

New legislation ensures family law in B.C. places the best interests of children first when making any decisions involving the child. By replacing the outdated Family Relations Act, which was introduced in 1978, the Family Law Act addresses issues B.C. families are dealing with today.

I am proud of what the BC Liberals have accomplished in this session and I would like to encourage you to go here to see the full story on how we have been working hard on change that works for you.

Sincerely,

Premier Christy Clark

China Jobs and Trade Mission November 13, 2011

Posted by admin in : Bill Bennett , comments closed

As part of the BC Jobs Plan, we are leading the largest trade mission in the province’s history to promote B.C. as a safe harbour for investment. The Jobs and Trade Mission is focused on strengthening existing relationships between B.C. and Asian markets, opening doors for new relationships and setting the stage for future opportunities in China and India.

The latest government announcements from the trade mission include:

B.C. and China forge post-secondary partnerships: More than 20 partnerships or agreements have been signed between B.C. and Chinese post-secondary institutions and organizations over this past week, as both partners look to increase learning opportunities for post-secondary students on both sides of the Pacific. It is estimated more than 2,500 students will come to B.C. communities over five years as a result of these agreements. International students in B.C. currently generate 22,000 jobs and bring an estimated $1.25 billion into the provincial economy. Each 10 per cent increase translates into an estimated 1,800 new jobs for families across the province.

B.C. expands international network of business accelerators: The face-to-face assistance British Columbia businesses will get from this service will help a company accelerate its growth more quickly into the market. The accelerator program will operate out of the New West Partnership’s trade and investment office in Shanghai. Companies will be able to use physical space to conduct business and they will be provided with local business connections and development advice from the established trade and investment team. The accelerator program is expected to be up-and-running in 2012.

$1.36 billion of investments into the Gething mine near Hudson’s Hope: We recently announced from our trade mission in China that two separate investments are coming from Chinese companies which will eventually create over 6,700 jobs: subject to an environmental assessment, permits, and First Nations and community consultation, construction is scheduled to begin in about two years after an environmental assessment, permits and First Nations and community consultation are complete. The coal mine should have a mine life of over 40 years and the company projects a production rate of two million tonnes of washed coal per year.

New China-to-Vancouver flights to bring visitors and jobs: Representatives from China’s Sichuan Airlines and the Vancouver Airport Authority have signed a letter of intent with the goal of starting a new three flights a week service to Vancouver in 2012, bringing with it a boost in tourism and new jobs.

New bigger ships expand B.C. potash trade globally: The U-SEA COLONSAY, a new, larger Canpotex potash ship has made its maiden voyage to Neptune Terminals, expanding Canpotex’s capacity to export more potash to Asia and other international markets creating more jobs in North Vancouver.

Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the sister-provinces of British Columbia and Guangdong that endorse enhanced trade of seafood and agrifood products: 2011 is shaping up to be another record year for B.C. food exports to China with seafood leading the way. That means jobs on Vancouver Island and coastal communities with fishing and processing facilities. The $118 million in combined seafood and agri-food exports to China is the most ever. Negotiations are also underway to allow B.C. beef and cherries access to the Chinese market. B.C. agriculture, fish and seafood exports to China from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2011 totalled $87 million, a 12-pe-cent increase from the same period in the record-setting 2010.

Agreement sets stage for Barkerville exhibit to tour China: Letter of intent between Barkerville and the Guangdong Museum of Overseas Chinese that will form the foundation for a successful tour of the Barkerville photographic exhibit: Last year, almost 120,000 visitors came to B.C. from China, and those numbers are expected to increase with the Chinese government’s designation of British Columbia as an approved destination. Visitors from China stay an average of 28 days because of the long travel distance.

The BC Job Plan is Working November 6, 2011

Posted by admin in : Bill Bennett , comments closed

Canada Starts Here, the BC Job Plan is working:

• BC Lands Major Shipbuilding Contract: A strong relationship with the Federal Government has paid off. Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards was awarded an $8-billion federal contract – which promises to transform B.C.’s economy through the construction of a new shipbuilding infrastructure. This is a deal that would ensure the stability of the shipbuilding industry in BC for years and years to come. It is estimated to create from (2013-2022) 3,683 jobs and from (2023-2032) 8,465 long-term direct and indirect jobs in the marine industry – averaging $80,000 a year, including benefits.

• Building Schools & Creating Jobs: Premier Christy Clark rolled out a $353-million school capital plan. Projects approved for funding include: six new elementary schools, one new middle school, two new secondary schools, four school additions, and six school site purchases – four of which are for future schools. Once projects get underway, an estimated 1,850 jobs will be created for families across the province.

• Building Tourism & a 5-Year Strategy: The province announced a strategy to build tourism and create jobs. Gaining The Edge: A Five-Year Strategy for Tourism in B.C. The strategy will increase the number of visitors and promote job creation by building on the global awareness generated by the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. These areas include: touring vacations, city experiences, skiing-snowboarding, Aboriginal tourism, outdoor adventure/ecotourism, and meetings and conventions. The strategy will target a five per cent annual growth in revenue in the tourism sector, expected to reach $18 billion annually by 2016.

• Record Lumber Exports to China: B.C. sets yearly China lumber export record. Lumber exports to China for the first eight months of this year totaled $746 million. For all of 2010, B.C’s lumber exports to the country were worth $687 million. As pledged in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, the Province will double B.C.’s international presence in key and expanding markets and will implement a promotional campaign to highlight British Columbia as a safe harbour to attract new international investment.

• Capitalizing on Liquefied Natural Gas: One of the greatest natural resources in Norther BC is natural gas and our government is committed to helping market this resource. The National Energy Board (NEB) approved a 20-year export license for the facility in Kitimat and it will be operational by 2015. It will have the capacity to export B.C.’s natural gas to overseas markets for the very first time and it will instantly increase economic prosperity and create jobs. With the capacity to supply B.C.’s natural gas to new markets, demand will increase for the province’s energy resources and investment will be secured for ongoing development. Long-term jobs and business opportunities will be available for northeast communities. The facility itself will create approximately 1,500 person-years of work during its construction phase and 120-140 permanent positions once the terminal is in operation.

• New Skills for Workers for Today’s Economy: The province formed a partnership with the United Steelworkers Union (USW) to pilot new skills training for its members in the North, with a focus in the areas of forestry and mining. A total of $2.9 million is being provided for this Northern Skills Training Pilot over the next 18 months. This initiative is part of the commitment made in the ‘Canada Starts Here: the BC Jobs Plan’ to enhance training opportunities to meet regional labour market needs. With major projects underway and planned in B.C.’s north, this partnership helps fill the need for increasingly skilled workers.

• Focusing on the Role of Small Business: The governments of Canada and British Columbia launched the Small Business Profile 2011, a report that highlights the major role that small businesses play in B.C.’s economic success, through job creation, wage increases, exports and contributions to the province’s gross domestic product.”