British Columbia Premier Christy Clark unveiled her much-touted jobs agenda Thursday, saying it aims to strengthen trade relations with Asia and position the province as second in Canada in both new job growth and GDP growth by 2015.
During a speech in front of the Vancouver Board of Trade, Clark singled out eight sectors of the economy best suited to bring in new dollars and also unveiled how the government plans to make B.C. attractive to foreign markets by slashing red tape and seeking investment.
Clark said the government is committed to opening eight new mines, and expanding another nine by 2015, growth that is expected to generate $1.6 billion in annual revenue and create 1,800 mining jobs, while sustaining 5,000 existing jobs.
"I think we are poised on the cusp of something huge for British Columbia. The future of the world is in Asia, that's the future, and there is only one province in Canada that faces Asia," said Clark.
In the fourth day of her week-long jobs agenda rollout, Clark announced a total of $79 million in government investment in her bid to create and protect jobs. She also committed to improving relationships with First Nation communities through the creation of an Aboriginal Business and Investment Council.
Clark pledged $50 million toward the Deltaport corridor project and $24 million toward reducing the time it takes for prospective investors interested in natural resource development to get decisions on approvals. She said speeding up the process would not compromise environmental values or First Nation consultation.
Greg D'Avignon, CEO of the B.C. Business Council, said expediting the approval process will make B.C. more competitive while also creating jobs in the short term.
"If it takes nine months to get a permit approved, then you've often lost that opportunity," he said. "The strength of the plan . . . is that it really builds on our assets and creates the opportunity for us to be an investment location of choice."
Opposition Leader Adrian Dix said the plan didn't explain how workers would be trained for new jobs or address key sectors like forestry, tourism and high-tech.
"The premier's plan, if it can be called such, remains mostly an exercise in repackaging existing initiatives and profiling herself, rather than a coherent vision with concrete steps that bring hope to British Columbians," said Dix.
B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins was equally as skeptical, saying Clark should have focused more on making the government smaller and cutting taxes.
"I don't see anything of much value there. She is trying to make it look like she is taking decisive action, but I didn't hear anything that suddenly makes British Columbia a better place to invest."
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