Jobs in every region in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, film & technology
Renewed confidence in our economy has helped our mining industry become one of the fastest growing mining regions in the world, up until the recent global economic crisis. In 2008, investment in mineral exploration was almost 1,300 per cent higher than in 2001, with 60 per cent of all Canadian exploration companies now based in BC, and a 786 per cent increase in mineral claims.
Twelve metal mines have opened or reopened in BC since then. Half of all new mine development projects in Canada are here, in BC.
The BC Liberal government encouraged mining by eliminating the Corporate Capital Tax and the sales tax on machinery and equipment. Canada’s 2nd lowest corporate income tax rates, new tax credits and deregulation initiatives all undertaken since 2001 have made a huge difference.
Over 28,000 miners depend on confidence remaining high in the government and in the province, so they can continue working in their high-paying mining jobs. Many of those workers are now facing layoffs due to the global recession. We are going to work with them, to extend the same support programs that have been available to forest workers to them and their families.
We are going to continue to streamline mine approval processes, cut corporate taxes, and lower costs on mining companies who risk their capital to help create jobs in our province. We will extend the Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit and open up new mining potential in the Northwest, by working with First Nations, the federal government and mining companies to build the new transmission line along the Highway 37 corridor. That new transmission line will also reduce remote communities’ dependency on dirty diesel power and give them new access to clean electricity, as well as opening mining and new energy opportunities. That means jobs!
Our plan will build upon the new confidence created in every sector. It will deliver on the new Agriculture Plan www.al.gov.bc.ca/Agriculture_Plan/ and support new strategies to market BC-grown farm products and help ranchers, hog-growers, wineries, and others get through these challenging times and expand their businesses.
Our government will implement the new BC Research and Innovation Strategy www.tted.gov.bc.ca/TRI/research/Documents/strategy.pdf, expand access to venture capital, and work with the BC Innovation Council and the Premier’s Technology Council to help maximize growth in new media, information technology, software, biotech, and clean tech. It will also pursue new strategies for manufacturing growth in value-added forestry and other growing manufacturing sectors.
