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Advancing B.C.'s economic potential

Friday, March 28, 2003

Advancing B.C.’s economic potential

March 28, 2003, Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Dhaliwal - photo by Dave Roels

British Columbia’s Senior Federal Minister, Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, spoke to The Vancouver Board of Trade on a number of important economic issues impacting B.C.’s future. Dhaliwal gave his remarks at a Board luncheon event sponsored by TimberWest and Duke Energy.

One year after assuming responsibility as B.C.’s Senior Federal Minister, Dhaliwal reviewed the progress made in provincial-federal relations.

Dhaliwal also addressed his recent comments on the U.S. and its involvement in the war in Iraq. Though he had expressed disappointment that the U.S. "decided that future action will be taken outside of the United Nations process," Dhaliwal maintained that some commentators had taken his remarks out of context. "They wrongly claim that I am in some way anti-American… these accusations could not be further from the truth," Dhaliwal said.

He continued, "I do not wish for my comments to be misconstrued to suggest personal disrespect toward President Bush or his administration. I agree with Deputy Prime Minister John Manley when he stated last week, with regard to the United States, ‘They are dealing with issues that are difficult for them, as well as the world, and I think we can disagree very respectfully.’"

Minister Dhaliwal discussed the challenge of strengthening British Columbia’s traditional resource-based industry sectors while creating new economic growth from emerging technologies, and the importance of asserting B.C.’s position as a federally recognized region of the country.

With funding for the Olympic bid, the new Trade and Convention Centre, the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, the Border Infrastructure Program, the Canada-B.C. Infrastructure Program and resources to mitigate the Pine Beetle epidemic, the federal government has committed over $1 billion to British Columbia this year. "These funding commitments represent a ringing endorsement of the success that our caucus is achieving in fighting for the interests of British Columbia back in Ottawa," said Dhaliwal.

Nevertheless, the minister said he would like to put his federal colleagues "on notice" and that they should anticipate further requests to support B.C.’s efforts as it works its way back to the status of a "have" province in Canada.

Dhaliwal said he will continue to work to bridge the distance between British Columbia and Ottawa, and further encourage the partnerships that are now successfully delivering real economic benefits for B.C.

View Minister Dhaliwal's Notes for Remarks

View media release from Natural Resources Canada, "Review process to examine issues around B.C. offshore development"

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