Ministry Overview and Core Business Areas

Ministry Overview

The Ministry of Economic Development leads and implements strategies and initiatives dedicated to creating a strong provincial economy in British Columbia and creating a more competitive business climate. In June, 2005, the Ministry was reorganized and renamed the Ministry of Economic Development. Major changes in responsibility were:

• the Ministry is the lead for the government's special focus on the Asia Pacific and developing a Trade and Asia Pacific Strategy.
• economic immigration programs have been transferred to the Ministry from the former Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services.
• labour market planning, industry trades training and the Industry Training Authority have been transferred to the Ministry from the Ministry of Advanced Education and the former Ministry of Skills Development and Labour.
• the Columbia Basin Trust has been transferred to the Ministry from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
• small business and regulatory reform has been transferred to the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform.
• tourism, sport, the arts, the BC Film Commission, film policy, the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre and the BC Pavilion Corporation have been transferred to the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.
• the BC Innovation Council has been transferred to the Ministry of Advanced Education.
• the BC Securities Commission has been transferred to the Ministry of Attorney General.

Core Business Areas and Structure

The Ministry has five core business areas. Four areas correspond to the Ministry's core activities and the fifth, Executive and Support Services, is comprised of management services, the Offices of the Deputy Ministers and the Office of the Minister.

Improving British Columbia's Investment Climate: This core business area is led primarily by the Economic Competitiveness Division and focuses on undertaking analyses of economic conditions; supporting the activities of the Competition Council; evaluating options for improving British Columbia's tax competitiveness; establishing British Columbia positions and policies regarding domestic and international trade issues; leading the development of a Trade and Asia Pacific Strategy; and, participating in cross-government projects to improve the province's tax competitiveness. Approximately $2,787,000 and 24 Full-time Equivalents (FTEs) are dedicated to this core business area.

Marketing and Promoting British Columbia: This core business area is led primarily by the Marketing, Investment and Trade Division. It focuses on leading the Asia Pacific initiative by including support for the Asia Pacific Trade Council; implementing initiatives for communicating British Columbia's advantages and opportunities; managing the province's economic immigration programs; managing trade missions; showcasing British Columbia at industry events; and, providing potential investors with business location information and services. Approximately $9,588,000 and 17 FTEs are dedicated to this core business area.

Enhancing Economic Development: This core business area is led primarily by the Economic Competitiveness Division. It focuses on leading the province's Economic Strategy; identifying projects that support economic growth and diversification throughout the province; undertaking labour market planning; speeding up the credentialing of highly skilled immigrants by recognizing international qualifications; working with the Industry Training Authority; managing programs to improve urban and rural local government infrastructure; administering the Western Economic Partnership Agreement; and, working with investors to facilitate economic development. Approximately $311,863,000 and 48 FTEs are dedicated to this core business area.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat: This core business area is led primarily by the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat and focuses on representing the province as a member partner in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and implementing 2010 related strategies. Approximately $109,639,000 and 14 FTEs are dedicated to this core business area.

Executive and Support Services: This core business area consists of corporate services and the Minister's Office and focuses on providing planning and legislative support to assist core business areas achieve their goals and objectives. Approximately $10,184,000 and 25 FTEs are dedicated to this area.

Crowns, Agencies, Boards and Commissions Reporting to the Minister of Economic Development

BC-Alcan Northern Development Fund

British Columbia Enterprise Corporation (not active)

Columbia Basin Trust

Industry Training Authority

Northern Development Initiative Trust

B.C. Competition Council

Asia Pacific Trade Council

Leading Edge BC