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A Year of Progress for British Columbia

May 16, 2006

Victoria – One year after re-electing a BC Liberal Government, British Columbians are seeing the benefits of real leadership and a strong vision for the future of the province.

"Tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary since the people of British Columbia gave us a strong, new mandate to pursue our Great Goals for a Golden Decade. They said loud and clear that they wanted more jobs, more prosperity and more opportunities for themselves and for their families. I'm proud to say that we have delivered on that commitment," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "We have embarked on a New Relationship with Aboriginal people, we have accomplished unprecedented labour peace in the public sector and we have more people working than ever in every part of the province."

Highlights of the year since the May 17, 2005 election include:

  • Hosted the historic First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues in Kelowna;
  • 55 labour agreements with over 230,000 public sector workers;
  • Introduced democratic and parliamentary reform measures including an extended Question Period;
  • Over 60,000 new jobs created since May, 2005 – leading Canada in job creation;
  • Unemployment dropped to a 30-year low – unemployment in single digits for every region;
  • Delivered a third consecutive balanced budget and offered tax relief for homeowners, seniors and low and middle-income families;
  • $2.1 billion in tax reductions to keep our economy strong, competitive and ensure British Columbians pay among the lowest taxes in Canada;
  • Per-pupil student funding at its highest level ever;
  • Health funding at its highest level ever – with the Conference Board of Canada rating B.C.'s health care system as number one in the country;
  • Legislation over the past year included bills dealing with class sizes and class composition, extending compassionate care leave, giving police more tools with which to fight grow-ops, recognizing the cancer risk faced by firefighters and creating a Representative for Children and Youth;
  • Established the Spirit Bear as B.C.'s official mammal; and,
  • Concluded a softwood lumber agreement with the United States.

"Despite the many successes of the last year, we know there is still much to do," said Campbell. "In the years to come, B.C. will embrace its destiny as Canada's Gateway between North America and the Asia-Pacific. We will continue to speak strongly on behalf of First Nations and we will continue preparing to host the world in 2010 and take full advantage of British Columbia's Olympic Games. This is an exciting time for all British Columbians as we share in these accomplishments and in the new spirit of optimism across our province."

For a copy of One Year Later… Real Results for British Columbians, visit www.governmentcaucus.bc.ca.
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