Articles

Photos by Dave Roels

The Hon. David Emerson

Driving a competitive agenda enhances Gateway's potential, Emerson says
A competitive agenda is needed to maintain and promote British Columbia as the premier West Coast gateway to North America, the federal minister of international trade and minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics told The Vancouver Board of Trade. The Hon. David Emerson’s message received a standing ovation when he appeared in his first public address as minister at The Board’s 2006 British Columbia Economic Forum. Full Story 

Video: Q&A with The Hon. David Emerson

Bob Elton, president and CEO, BC Hydro

British Columbia — gateway to the future
This panel of British Columbian CEOs shared their views on the current economic situation in the province and the vision needed to sustain a strong, healthy economy. Topics included how to manage the increasing demand for electricity in the province; the rise in fuel prices and its impact on BC Ferries operations; the need for an improved tax structure for business in order to compete with Alberta and our neighbours to the south; transportation infrastructure, particularly the Gateway Initiative; and the current labour shortage, from trades to professional and management positions. Full Story

Larry Berg, president and CEO, YVR

Transportation and the Gateway strategy: Keeping B.C. moving
On land, sea and in the air, B.C. is Canada’s Pacific Gateway. Greater Vancouver’s ports, airports and terminals already account for 75,000 jobs and $10 billion in business output in the region, with growth inevitable as China, India and other Asian economies increase their trading capacities with North America. Whether it’s expanding capacity or simply ensuring transportation networks don’t grind to a halt, the Pacific Gateway Strategy will have a profound impact on B.C.’s ability to meet the needs of a growing population, expanded trade opportunities and a robust economy. Full Story

Christine Stoneman, COO, GT Hiring Solutions and Grant Thornton LLP

Help wanted, now! When jobs go looking for people: Implications for our training and education systems
The province now has to explore ways of dealing with a serious skills and labour shortage, including untapped potential recruitment areas like the immigrant workforce and seniors. Productivity in construction has fallen, and government restrictions are not helping the industry. Changes to the public school system have produced smaller numbers of trained people for the workforce. And 40 to 50 per cent of B.C. senior executives are eligible for retirement over the next five years, contributing to the shortage of talent to take on leadership positions. Full Story

Dave Park, chief economist and assistant managing director, The Vancouver Board of Trade

Prescription for change: How do we heal our health-care system?
The Vancouver Board of Trade has been working on a report on the Canadian health-care system, which "over the past decade or more, has not met the needs of Canadians within a reasonable time frame." Governments have not had the finances available to meet demand, and wait lists have grown substantially. The situation has reached "crisis proportions," as reflected in a 2005 Supreme Court decision stating that the system requires significant changes, and something has to be done involving other sectors as sources: the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, the private sector and private individuals. Full Story

Jim Storie, first vice- president, Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia

Branding B.C.: What the world is coming to
Tourism plays a huge role in British Columbia’s burgeoning economy. Over 18,000 private-sector employers provide work for more than 117,000 people, and the industry is expected to bring in revenue of $10 billion this year alone. Despite these impressive numbers, Premier Gordon Campbell has issued a goal: to double tourism revenue in B.C. by 2015. In addition, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler offer a tremendous opportunity for the province to show the world what British Columbia is all about. Full Story

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