Investing in innovation, research and technology
The most critical resource in the new knowledge economy is skilled people. It is human talent, ingenuity, creativity and discovery that will ultimately fuel our economy and help keep BC strong. That is why Premier Campbell’s Government has invested over $1.5 billion in advanced research – more than any other government in BC history.
We have made record funding commitments to the BC Knowledge Development Fund, and new research and regional innovation chairs, through the Leading Edge Endowment Fund . We have dedicated record amounts to advancing cancer research, Alzheimer research, genome and life sciences research, therapeutic drug research, and climate research. The ICORD Spinal Research centre, the Brain Research Centre, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility and Prostate Research Centre are putting our doctors, scientists and clinical researchers at the leading edge of research. The Michael Smith Foundation is constantly breaking through with new discoveries that help people around the world. All of that has helped leverage over $1 billion in other new research and development that has created countless spin-off businesses and new jobs.
A BC Liberal Government will strengthen that foundation, working in partnership with our leading public research institutes: the Michael Smith Foundation, Genome BC, the BC Innovation Council, the Premier’s Technology Council, the BC Technology Industry Association, Life Sciences BC, Geosciences BC, and other leading edge institutions. The new Wood Innovation and Design Centre at UNBC and the new Pacific Centre for Climate Solutions will also help shape that future. Major new investments will be made in health research at BCIT, earth sciences at UBC, and cancer research.
In the new creative economy, art, theatre, culture, sport, design and other creative enterprises are integral components of a thriving technology industry and a vibrant society that can attract and retain highly skilled workers. People want to live, work and invest in British Columbia because they know that our creative economy offers a quality of life that is second to none. More than 78,000 people work in BC’s art and cultural sector, which contributes over $5 billion each year to our provincial economy.
The new, $150-million BC150 Cultural Fund will give a tremendous boost to that sector, as has the BC Arts Renaissance Fund, the new Spirit of BC Arts Fund, and the Cultural Olympiad. The refurbished Vancouver East Cultural Centre, the new BC Spirit Squares, and the Olympic Live Centres across our province all contribute to our cultural diversity. The Merritt Mountain Music Festival and the prospect of Canadian Country Music Hall of fame all add to the richness of our lives.
From the new Centre for Digital Media at Great Northern Way Campus, to the new Northern Sport Centre in Prince George, or the incentives now helping our film industry, we are creating new jobs and opportunities. We are adding funding for provincial heritage sites, including Barkerville and Fort Steele. We are building on the many programs in sport, art and literacy now delivered through Legacies Now to open up BC’s creative economy, and to build confidence that keeps BC strong.
