The BC Liberal government has invested over $1.5 billion in research and innovation since 2001 and has leveraged another $1 billion from the private sector, helping jobs in the sector to grow by seven per cent. B.C.’s tech sector now employs 75,000 people. A recent survey showed tech-sector salaries in B.C. jumped 4.5 per cent in 2008 – the highest jump in North America. B.C. is home to four research-intensive universities, and one of the most active high-tech sectors in the country. B.C. is also home to the third-largest clean technology cluster worldwide. Challenges and Opportunities:
As Canada’s Pacific Gateway with strong ties to countries like China and India, B.C. is uniquely situated to share innovation, technology and breakthroughs with the emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific. B.C.’s advancements in biotech and clean energy can meet a growing global demand and create jobs and economic activity here. Taking full advantage of the global market requires new connections, relationships and a supply of skilled workers.
Discussion:
Considering that the BC Liberal government has invested in alternative energy development and increased tax credits available to early-stage clean tech companies, what else can government do to encourage new and ongoing technology development in B.C.? And what else can be done to help new innovations reach the market place and become available to consumers?
B.C.'s small business growth leads Canada
B.C. government eliminated 164,000 pieces of red tape
B.C. Liberals lowered small business taxes
Province cut corporate taxes by one-third
Record funding for K-12 education
Class size limits enshrined in law
B.C. parents' right to volunteer guaranteed in law
Province adds more front-line staff for children at risk
B.C. Liberal government provided more funding for community infrastructure
B.C. government grants $285 M for regional economic trusts
All traffic fine revenue returned to cities annually
Provincial income tax eliminated for a quarter million low-income people
Number of child care spaces receiving operating funding almost double
B.C. Liberal government cut income taxes to lowest in Canada
Agreements providing social and economic opportunities for First Nations
B.C. Liberal Government signed modern treaties with six First Nations
Aboriginal unemployment a third lower than in 2001
B.C. Liberal government increased funding for health care by 60 per cent
B.C.'s first new regional hospital in 30 years built in Abbotsford
New hospitals under construction in five communities
Twice as many doctors being trained in B.C. than in 1990s
North America's most progressive climate action plan, praised by climatologists and economists
Carbon tax funds tax cuts and impact equal to removing 800,000 vehicles
Over 12,000 new and replacement seniors' care beds and units
Wait time for residential care down to 90 days from one year
B.C. government providing more home support care hours than ever before
B.C. Liberal government created seven new universities
