VICTORIA – South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP)’s Rising Economic Taskforce released its Committee Reports featuring 40 over-arching recommendations to coordinate and accelerate economic recovery throughout the South Island region.
The Taskforce was convened on April 16, 2020, to develop the region’s economic recovery strategy. The reports are the result of 120-plus stakeholders from business, government and nonprofit sectors coming together in British Columbia’s most comprehensive non-government COVID-related response.
“This challenge necessitates unprecedented collaboration,” says Emilie de Rosenroll, CEO of SIPP. “When we work together, our region rebounds faster, dreams bigger and achieves more. Collaboration, commitment and energy are critical now to help our region recover from this recession and develop the resiliency to withstand future economic shocks.”
Stakeholders include representatives from government, multiple business sectors, First Nations, and the not-for-profit and education sectors.
“A number of themes have emerged across the 10 committees, including immediate relief for small- and medium-sized businesses, investments in rapid skilling and workforce development as it undergoes major upheaval, and preserving the vibrancy and safety of our urban environment during these unprecedented times,” says de Rosenroll.
“The committees’ recommendations address a range of challenges faced by multiple sectors in our region and highlight opportunities for a collaborative and inclusive recovery.”
Frank Bourree, Vice-Chair, Rising Economy Taskforce
The Committee Reports are the precursor to the region’s economic recovery strategy to be released during Rising Economy Week, November 16 to 20, and will focus on decisive actions to move the needle on the South Island’s economic recovery.
“South Island Prosperity Partnership went into action early in the pandemic, bringing together stakeholders from multiple sectors across our region to figure out how to accelerate the recovery and develop the resiliency to withstand future shocks. The resulting Committee Reports give voice to what the sectors themselves say they need in terms of economic relief, new funding initiatives, and policy and regulation changes. We need to listen closely to them and act decisively. Our region’s economic future depends on it,” says Frank Bourree, Vice-Chair, Rising Economy Taskforce.
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