Budget 2004 -- Government of British Columbia.
         
Contents.
• Printer-friendly versionAdobe Acrobat Reader link page. (PDF)  
• Premier's Letter to the Minister  
• Message from the Minister  
• Accountability Statement  
• Ministry Overview  
• Resource Summary  
• Core Business Areas  
• Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results  
• Appendix 1. Strategic Context  
• Appendix 2. Summary of Related Planning Processes  

Other Links.
• Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development Home  
• Budget 2004 Home  
 

Appendix 1. Strategic Context

Ministry Vision, Mission and Core Values

1. Vision

The Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development envisions a vibrant economy where British Columbians have access to a diversity of job opportunities throughout the province, and where investors have confidence in the province's economic growth and prosperity.

2. Mission

The Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development promotes strategic leadership in government to create a strong, prosperous and diverse economy in all regions.

3. Core Values

The following values define the Ministry's management style and govern the way it makes decisions. They guide Ministry staff in interacting with each other, other government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Core Values
Competitiveness The Ministry works towards making British Columbia one of the most attractive investment location in North America.
Results-Based The Ministry is a results-based organization that measures performance at both the corporate and individual level.
Shared Responsibility The Ministry is committed to working with other ministries and agencies to develop and implement actions to bring growth, job creation and prosperity to British Columbia.
Accountability The Ministry is accountable to government and the public and strives to ensure its activities deliver the targets outlined in this Service Plan.
Efficiency The Ministry delivers its programs in the most efficient manner to enhance British Columbia's competitiveness as an investment location.
Continuous Improvement The Ministry is committed to developing new and better approaches. Our approaches include working with, listening to, and consulting with stakeholders in all regions of British Columbia.
Professionalism The Ministry is committed to maintaining the highest standards of innovation, quality, teamwork, and developing an entrepreneurial attitude in the professional public service.
Responsiveness The Ministry strives provide a high level of customer service, and to respond to the needs of its stakeholders in a timely and effective manner.

Planning Context

The planning context is an assessment of strengths, challenges and internal forces that can have a significant impact on the Ministry's ability to deliver results. It provides the Ministry with specific information to prepare for future actions.

Key Opportunities

  • Tourism and Resorts: British Columbia has some of the most temperate and dramatic topography in the Pacific Northwest offering significant investment opportunities for the further development and enhancement of British Columbia's tourism and all-season resort industries.
  • Investment Promotion: British Columbia has some of the most abundant natural resource opportunities in the world, but these alone will not attract investment even in a strong economy. Information about the changes being made to ensure British Columbia is globally competitive needs to be aggressively marketed to the investment community.
  • Small Business Sector: British Columbia's small business sector comprises over 97 per cent of British Columbia's businesses and is the primary source of job creation in the province. There is broad recognition that the development of the small business sector boosts local economies, sustains healthy communities and provides diverse employment opportunities.
  • 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: The 2010 Winter Games will open up new opportunities for tourism through increased visitation and international profile. In addition, infrastructure investments leading up to the Games will create approximately 228,000 person years of employment and inject billions of dollars into the provincial economy.

Highlights of Changes from the Previous Plan

On January 26, 2004 the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier, announced a number of Cabinet changes. The changes included renaming the Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise as the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development to reflect a renewed focus on economic development. In addition:

  • The Ministry acquired responsibility for the British Columbia Olympic Games Secretariat from the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services. Responsibilities include maximizing the benefits to British Columbians from the games, and leaving a lasting legacy. In addition, the secretariat provides transfers in support of cultural industries, amateur sports groups and sport and recreation projects.
  • As part of the Cabinet changes in January 2004, the Minister of State for Deregulation position was eliminated, and responsibility for deregulation was transferred to the Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.

Consistency with Government's Strategic Plan

The government's Strategic Plan has been used to align the Ministry's strategies and plans under the government's goals, objectives and strategies.

Government Goal 1:
A Strong and Vibrant Provincial Economy.
Government Objective:
British Columbia Will Have a Prosperous Economy.
Government Strategy:
Innovation and Economic Growth.
Provincial Strategies Achievements in 2003/04 2004/05 – 2006/07
Service Plan Strategies
Work with the private sector to remove barriers to economic activity. The Significant Projects Streamlining Act received Royal Assent in the Fall of 2003 to ensure expedited reviews of economically significant projects.

Implemented the "On the Ground" regional services plan enabling ministry staff in regional offices to work closely with communities to identify, promote and develop priority business opportunities.

Changes to the Small Business Venture Capital Act introduced a direct investment model enabling businesses registered as Eligible Business Corporations to raise investment capital.

Fast-track projects - accelerate permits and approvals for approved capital investment projects.

Develop a one stop shop for business location services, including Web-based site selection tools and resources.

Advance small business growth — ensure government policy, regulations and service delivery frameworks support small business success.

Inbound investments — facilitate inbound investment into high-growth, high-opportunity sectors.

Implement a long-term economic development strategy for all regions of the province. New function. Lead the preparation and implementation of strategies promoting economic growth and diversification of British Columbia's economic base.
Market British Columbia's competitive advantages and opportunities as an investment location, tourism destination and trading partner. The British Columbia Resorts Task Force formed to enhance resort development.

BC-Alberta Bilateral Trade and Investment Negotiations commenced to extend the existing Agreement on Internal Trade to those areas not currently covered.

Organized trade missions for the Premier and Ministers, including missions to China, India, Korea, Taiwan and US (Texas).

Promote British Columbia as a film and TV location.

Marketing and promotional strategies — develop marketing and promotional strategies to promote awareness of competitive advantages and opportunities throughout the province.

Trade promotion — organize trade missions and provincial participation in key international events to promote British Columbia.

Continue to streamline government's legislation and regulations. Approximately 90,000 unnecessary regulatory requirements have been eliminated across government, since June 2001. Reduce the regulatory burden across government by one-third within three years, beginning in 2001.
Sponsor a provincial strategy that promotes physically active living through active schools, active communities and organized sport.   British Columbians participate in physical activity and athletes excel.

 

  
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