BC – Premier Christy Clark and Minister Shirley Bond recently released the 5-Year Update to the BC Jobs Plan, renewing a long-term focus on technology, innovation and specific steps to address challenges facing rural communities.
The 5-Year Update shows the progress made in the province since 2011 as British Columbia has become one of Canada’s strongest and most diverse economies. Highlights demonstrate that the Province:
- Jumped from third to leading the country in economic growth;
- Moved from ninth place to leading the country in job creation with 191,500 jobs created;
- Progressed from the fourth lowest unemployment rate to the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 5.8%;
- Increased exports 10% to $36 billion annually; and
- Achieved 15 of the 19 ambitious targets set out in 2011 BC Jobs Plan.
The 5-Year Update underlines the focus on the eight key sectors that form the foundation of the provincial economy, as well as one new sector, Advanced Manufacturing. It also identifies three competitiveness drivers integral to BC’s economy and 25 new aspirational targets for the Jobs Plan.
While the BC Jobs Plan has established a roadmap for economic success, the Province recognizes that there remain challenges. That is why the Province announced two initiatives to help address the risks facing our rural communities, as well as the need for fostering talent in our growing technology sector.
BC’s rural economies and natural resource industries have been the backbone of our economy but are shouldering the risk posed by the global downturn in commodity prices. These challenges require a thoughtful response and that is why the Province is establishing a Rural Development Strategy that will support BC’s rural communities through policy and investment initiatives. The effort will be led by Donna Barnett, Minister of State for Rural Economic Development and Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.
The Premier also recently appointed UBC President Professor Santa Ono to create an Innovation Network in the province. The Network will foster greater collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and innovation-driven industries to ensure that British Columbians are prepared for jobs and careers in the innovation economy, particularly in the province’s vibrant technology sector.
