The Ministry of Energy and Mines is providing the leadership to make British Columbia a more globally and regionally competitive investment location, and to increase direct investment in the energy and mining sectors. Our strategic approach is to work with industry, communities and First Nations to identify obstacles and opportunities for increased development.

One example of this approach is the announcement in June 2003, of the province's Oil and Gas Development Strategy for the Heartlands. This comprehensive strategy responds to identified barriers that were inhibiting British Columbia from realizing its oil and gas investment potential, revenue generation and employment creation.

Already the strategy has met with positive results not the least of which is the record-setting $418 million sale of petroleum and natural gas rights in September 2003 — the largest monthly sale in history. We will build on this strong start to move British Columbia even closer to the goal of being the most competitive oil and gas development jurisdiction in North America.

Since June 2001, the British Columbia government has introduced a number of new measures to realize British Columbia's mining potential, including: a number of tax reductions; enhanced land-use planning; streamlined environmental assessment reviews; a results-based Health, Safety and Reclamation Code; establishment of an MLA Mining Task Force and the launching of the public private partnership $2.1-million Rocks to Riches program. Industry response to these initiatives has been positive. In the past year mineral exploration expenditures are estimated to have reached the $45 and $55 million range, a healthy increase over the 2002 spending level of $40 million.

The province's energy plan, "Energy for our Future: A Plan for BC", launched in November 2002, identified independent power producers as the key to meeting the growing energy needs of British Columbians. In September 2003, we saw the largest offer to purchase of clean energy in British Columbia's history, one that will provide up to $800 million in private sector investment in 16 power projects.

We will continue to implement the energy plan to meet our energy needs and generate renewed economic growth and prosperity for British Columbians.

I am pleased to present the Ministry of Energy and Mines 2004/05 – 2006/07 Service Plan which builds on our accomplihments. This plan will guide and measure our success in contributing to a thriving economy that includes strong, competitive and responsible energy and mining sectors in British Columbia.

Honourable Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy and Mines

February 4, 2004