As you’ve probably heard by now, the main focus of this government can be summed up in one word — jobs. Canada Starts Here: The B.C. Jobs Plan was announced by Premier Christy Clark and is aimed at creating jobs for British Columbians today, while planning and creating a positive climate for job creation in the future.
The plan is supported by three pillars and several underlying strategies. The pillars include strengthening our infrastructure to help get our goods to market, working with communities and employers to enable job creation, and expanding markets for B.C. products — particularly in Asia. We’re moving forward and are setting targets that this government is dedicated to meeting. We’re aiming to have B.C. be in the top two in Canada for both job and real GDP growth by 2015. Here’s a quick summary of the recent announcements: Increasing the number of international students in B.C. by 50 per cent over the next four years; having eight new mines in operation and nine more expanded or upgraded by 2015; having at least one liquefied natural gas pipeline and terminal operation in Kitimat by 2015 and the completion of the Pacific Trail Pipelin; upgrades at Metro Vancouver’s Deltaport and the Port of Prince Rupert’s Ridley terminal completed and operational by 2014.
It’s worth mentioning that I was recently appointed the parliamentary secretary for rural communities to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
This will allow me to advocate on behalf of northern and rural communities and make sure that decisions are viewed through a “rural lens.” The B.C. Jobs Plan has already recognized the importance of northern and rural B.C. and will continue to look towards our communities for job creation opportunities. The B.C. Jobs Plan is a plan that creates jobs today, while expanding on B.C.’s potential jobs of tomorrow. After consultation with communities, businesses, and key partners this government has taken the first steps towards British Columbia leading Canada. In this time of economic uncertainty our government is working towards supporting families by creating the biggest thing that helps support them – jobs.
Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.