Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Overview

The Ministry has developed the following goals, objectives strategies and results.

Ministry Goals

1. British Columbia is recognized globally as a preferred place to visit, live, work, invest and do business, and as Canada's Pacific Gateway.
2. All British Columbians live in prosperous regions and are able to achieve their economic potential.
3. British Columbia hosts a successful 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that create a legacy of economic benefits for the province.

Linkage to the Five Great Goals

A healthy and robust provincial economy will provide needed resources to assist government in achieving each of the strategic Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade. The Ministry's primary contributions are to Great Goals 1 and 5.

The Ministry directly supports and will continue to contribute to this goal by identifying B.C.'s labour market shortages and building skills capacity that will improve the province's ability to compete in the national and international marketplace. The Ministry works with partners, such as the Industry Training Authority to support and promote an industry-driven system for training and apprenticeship.

The Ministry will continue to specifically lead this goal by:

• implementing the British Columbia Asia Pacific Initiative to capitalize on expanding Asian markets and ensure British Columbia is recognized as North America's capital for Asia Pacific commerce and culture;
• facilitating economic growth and business competitiveness throughout the province;
• leveraging federal, provincial and private sector funding to address the infrastructure needs of our regional economies;
• marketing British Columbia to attract new investment from foreign sources (including venture capital) and new economic immigrants to expand job opportunities and the labour market;
• attracting investment and new business activities by negotiating the reduction of barriers to trade, investment and mobility;
• implementing an employment recruitment strategy called Work B.C. to address key skill shortages in the province; and
• maximizing economic opportunities before, during and after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Ministry's efforts in promoting economic growth, creating jobs, generating revenues, increasing trade and attracting investment, will directly support the provincial government's other three Great Goals so that British Columbia will lead North America in healthy living (Goal 2); build the best support system in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk and seniors (Goal 3); and, lead the world in sustainable environmental management (Goal 4).

Cross Ministry Initiatives

Asia Pacific Initiative

The Ministry of Economic Development leads the British Columbia Asia Pacific Initiative (API) to ensure the province has a coordinated and targeted strategic plan in place to maximize B.C.'s Pacific Gateway advantages and Asian cultural and language base. The API defines B.C.'s future role in the Asia Pacific economy and identifies the immediate priority actions that must be taken to further integrate B.C. into Asian markets. By implementing the Asia Pacific Initiative, B.C. will expand and diversify its strategic Asia Pacific relations and commercial opportunities to: increase Asia Pacific trade and investment; secure Asian tourism and tradeable services sector growth opportunities; and ensure B.C. takes advantage of our Asia Pacific ties to promote immigration as a means to increase and strengthen our labour force.

As the Asia Pacific Initiative is a priority cross ministry initiative, detailed tactical and implementation plans are being developed by lead and supporting ministries and coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Development. For example, the Ministry will work with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that the province has the transportation network in place to meet increased trade demands with Asia; the Ministry of Forests and Range to strengthen the forest sector markets and actively promote Canadian wood products and construction techniques in Asia Pacific economies; the Ministry of Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism to ensure cultural and social linkages are established by increasing immigration to British Columbia and; the Ministry of Advanced Education and Ministry of Education to expand educational linkages with Asia Pacific nations. Each ministry of government will also report progress to the Minister of Economic Development who will, in turn report tangible progress to Cabinet.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

The British Columbia Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat is the province's primary agency for the 2010 Winter Games. The Secretariat provides the strategic leadership, coordination and oversight to ensure the province meets its financial, infrastructure and service commitments for the Games.

The Secretariat has been working diligently with all provincial ministries, agencies and Crowns whether directly or indirectly related, to facilitate the successful hosting of the Games. Work will continue with these groups to ensure that all available opportunities to develop sustainable economic legacies are explored and pursued giving every community in British Columbia the ability to receive benefits from the 2010 Winter Games.

The Secretariat also has a key role in the development of programs that enable B.C. businesses to take full advantage of the economic opportunities and benefits that will occur in association with hosting the Games and ensuring these benefits lead to economic growth in the province. To accomplish this objective, the Secretariat will build on the experience of previous host nations, fully engage B.C. businesses and communities, and coordinate activities with other key players including various ministries, Crown Corporations, agencies and partners of the Olympic Multi-Party Agreement.

Mountain Pine Beetle

Projections indicate the mountain pine beetle infestation could kill 80 per cent of the pine forest in British Columbia by 2013. Pine forests dominate the interior of B.C., and their loss has significant implications to the forest environment, economy and the communities that depend on those forests for sustainability. The B.C. Government, through coordination by the Ministry of Forests and Range and the Provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, is working across a number of ministries to minimize and mitigate negative environmental and socio-economic impacts of the infestation, while recovering the greatest value and protecting public health, safety and infrastructure. During 2007/08, the Ministry will work with other provincial ministries to:

1. Ensure B.C. has competitive industries, including forestry.
2. Encourage community sustainability by: supporting economic development and diversification throughout B.C.; attracting investment; addressing labour market challenges; and supporting infrastructure priorities.
3. Provide technical, on the ground support to the Ministry of Forests and Range, Pine Beetle Emergency Response Team and regional Beetle Action Coalitions.

ActNow BC

ActNow BC, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts combines cross-government and community-based approaches to promote healthy living choices for British Columbians. The programs and initiatives champion healthy eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use, and healthy choices during pregnancy. The Ministry of Economic Development participates in the provincial ActNow BC initiative through several programs including:

• Major Post-Secondary Sports Training Facilities Initiative, a $60 million program to support the development of four sports training facilities at post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.
• Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites Program, a $20 million program to ensure that a share of the benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are made available to residents of the province, beyond the immediate Olympic venue towns and cities, while also providing communities with legacies of continuing economic value. The majority of program funding will be directed towards building or improving sport and recreational facilities.
• Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program, a five-year federal/provincial program designed to fund community infrastructure, including recreational facilities that provide for better health and quality of life. The program funding is fully committed and all projects are to be completed by March 31, 2008. In 2004/05, the province committed approximately $10 million under this program towards projects that support the ActNow BC objectives.

Regulatory Reform

British Columbia continues to make regulatory reform a priority across government, making it easier for businesses to operate and succeed in British Columbia, while still preserving regulations that protect public health, safety and the environment. A citizen-centred approach to regulatory reform will reduce the number of steps it takes to comply with government requirements or access government programs and services.

The Ministry of Economic Development supports government's Regulatory Reform Initiative by committing to control regulatory burden and improve regulatory quality. Regulatory reduction and reform opportunities will continue to be identified to shift the Ministry's regulatory climate to a more cost-effective, responsive and results-based focus while targeting a zero net increase in regulatory requirements through 2008/09.

The Ministry supports the priority Citizen-centred initiative of government and has identified two citizen-centred regulatory reform opportunities that will reduce the number of steps and time required by citizens, businesses and industry to access government services or comply with government requirements. These projects focus on foreign-credentialing and venture capital programs with implementation of revised business processes expected in 2007/08.

The Ministry of Economic Development will specifically follow up on the work of the B.C. Competition Council to examine government and private sector issues affecting industry competitiveness, including regulatory reform. It will also work with other ministries to examine policies, legislation and regulations at all levels of government to determine whether these are pragmatic, efficient and balanced. Government regulations in areas such as land use, transportation, environmental protection, and workforce recruitment will be assessed with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government regulation of industry without acting as a disincentive to investment.

The Ministry also leads the province's participation in the Council of the Federation's internal trade initiative to identify options for ministerial review on accelerating the harmonization of standards and regulations, and preventing new barriers stemming from regulatory activity. A significant amount of work on the British Columbia-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement has focused on reconciling, through mutual recognition or by other means, standards and regulations that impair or impede trade, investment or labour mobility in or between the two provinces.

Citizen-Centred Service Delivery

Citizen-centred service delivery is a government-wide initiative to coordinate information, programs and services so that they can be presented to citizens in a way that takes their needs into account from beginning to end. The vision is to make it possible for citizens to access the government information and services they need in a simple and timely manner with a phone call, a mouse click or a visit to a service centre, no matter how many programs or ministries are involved in their request.

Citizen-centred service is a priority for government and ensures a focus on service delivery excellence. The opinions and interests of citizens are used by the Ministry to define expectations, set priorities and establish service standards. In order to create an innovative public service focused on meeting the needs of clients, the Ministry continues to embrace an organizational culture where excellence is recognized and rewarded. At the same time, Ministry employees are encouraged to achieve an optimal balance between their work life and personal commitments as part of an over arching strategy to help government employees excel in the provision of public services. Staff is also encouraged to develop new and innovative methods and business practices, which take advantage of partnerships with other organizations and new technologies. The Ministry strives to create a dynamic organization where creative and progressive ideas and solutions are welcomed and individual and team accomplishments are acknowledged.

Performance Plan

Performance Plan Summary

This Goal focuses on strategic marketing and promotion to distinguish the province from its competitors and to communicate its advantages and opportunities to potential immigrant skilled professionals and business investors.

This objective focuses on maximizing the benefits of immigration by attracting and retaining immigrants and enabling permanent resident status for skilled professionals and business investors. It is also aimed at promoting the province's advantages and opportunities in order to increase trade and investment in high-growth, high-opportunity sectors.

1. Increase international marketing activities to attract qualified business immigrants and provincial nominees.
2. Expand the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program and reduce processing time for applicants.
3. Recruit additional internal advisors resulting in more in-house immigration specialists.
4. Work with key partners as identified in the Asia Pacific Initiative.
5. Lead international activities with other western provinces through the Western Trade Secretariat.
6. Leverage opportunities from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to raise awareness and increase commerce for B.C.

Number of new immigrants attracted to B.C. under the Provincial Nominee Program. The Provincial Nominee Program is designed to increase the economic benefits of immigration to the province by selecting immigrants based on their ability to contribute to the economy. This measure illustrates the benefits of financial investment generated from new immigrants in the Provincial Nominee Program investor category and expedited entry of skilled immigrants into the economy under the strategic occupations category. The measure was refined from the 2006/07–08/09 Service Plan to provide clarity and direct focus on the Provincial Nominee Program.

Number of new investments attracted to B.C. assisted by the Ministry and new jobs created. A major Ministry focus is facilitating investment projects, particularly in the regions. Foreign direct investment contributes to direct and in-direct job creation, capital investment, productivity growth and innovation which in turn, support economic growth. This measure is cumulative and illustrates some of the province's integrated efforts in facilitating the expansion and diversification of commercial opportunities through foreign investment. The measure was refined from the 2006/07 – 08/09 Service Plan to reflect available, trackable data under the control of the Ministry.

This objective is aimed toward increasing the overall amount of private sector venture capital available to British Columbia small and mid-sized businesses. Venture capital firms and angel investors (which generally become involved in early-stage businesses or business concepts), are important components in the growth of successful innovative businesses in B.C.

1. Increase venture capital investments through enhanced and targeted international campaigning.
2. Streamline delivery and implementation of venture capital programs.
3. Enhance existing venture capital programs by strategically providing access to capital to entrepreneurs and innovative companies.
4. Engage British Columbia representatives to undertake foreign investment attraction and trade promotion activities.
5. Build stronger partnerships with key players active in Asia Pacific marketing and international business development.

Percentage of Canada's venture capital dollars invested in B.C. and the amount of foreign capital invested. Venture capital programs provide an effective financing option for B.C. companies and play a significant role in the commercialization of innovation by facilitating private sector investment. A quality supply of local venture capital encourages the growth of entrepreneurial firms in existing and emerging sectors and is considered an important catalyst for attracting foreign venture capital. Entrepreneurship and innovation are key to economic growth and will increase British Columbia's productivity, wealth creation and facilitate a rise in the standard of living. This measure was enhanced from the 2006/07–08/09 Service Plan to provide clarity and includes tracking B.C.'s percentage value of total venture capital investment for all of Canada.

Number of business opportunities identified. The Ministry will engage British Columbia representatives in key foreign markets (e.g., Asia, Europe, U.S.) to undertake investment attraction and trade promotion activities on behalf of British Columbia. This measure represents the number of business opportunities identified by British Columbia representatives that require follow up and tracking. The measure was refined from the 2006/07–08/09 Service Plan to accurately reflect available, trackable data under the control of the Ministry.

Number of new or expanded ventures in B.C. Access to capital is a key factor in maximizing opportunities for small businesses in British Columbia. This measure is new and gauges innovative and small businesses ventures on an annual basis that result from access to capital and the opportunity to attract investment capital from outside of the province.

This Goal focuses on maintaining a competitive business environment, increasing diversification of regional and provincial economies, providing infrastructure for a growing economy and responding to the demand for skilled labour.

This objective focuses on fostering economic growth and diversification and improving the province's business competitiveness in all provincial regions and sectors. The Ministry provides assistance for infrastructure development across the province and partners with governments and the private sector to advance growth and diversification, particularly within regional communities.

1. Follow up on the work of the B.C. Competition Council to examine government and private sector issues affecting industry competitiveness.
2. Work with key partners and investors in communities to facilitate economic development on the ground.
3. Begin implementation of the British Columbia Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement and continue to work to remove barriers to inter-provincial trade through the Premier's Council of the Federation, the existing national Agreement on Internal Trade, and other negotiations.
4. Lead the implementation of economic initiatives that support government strategic priorities and advance key sectors.
5. Lead the facilitation and negotiations across government of major industry investment projects.
6. Liaise with the regional economic development trusts.
7. Strengthen federal and provincial relationships in headquarters and the regions to enhance and continue the delivery of joint funding programs.
8. Work with the Ministry of Forests and Range Emergency Response Team and Beetle Action Coalitions to support economic development and diversification in communities impacted by the Mountain Pine Beetle.
9. Work with the Industry Training Authority and employers to increase the number of apprentices in the province. *Note: this strategy relates to measures that are reported in the Industry Training Authority Service Plan.

Industry investment projects, assisted by the Ministry, investment $ value and new jobs created. The Ministry works with major industry investors in all regions to provide an initial single contact point for proponents, engage with key regulatory agencies, advise on approaches to work with First Nations, and assist in project and agency specific issue resolution to move projects ahead. This measure shows the total jobs created and investment value if the project becomes operational. The Ministry also tracks both public and private investment in the province through the Major Projects Inventory, which identified more than $109.9 billion in proposed and planned investment for 2006.

Federal, municipal and private funds invested to match provincial investment in community infrastructure. This measure gauges the success of the Ministry in maximizing the efficiency of provincial contributions in leveraging federal, municipal and private funding to support community facilities, infrastructure and other regional development projects. The basis for target setting comes from provincial programs and joint federal/provincial agreements.

The following measure will be presented in the 2008/09–2010/11 Service Plan:

Regional competitiveness indicators. The investment climate at the regional level is important in generating economic development throughout British Columbia. Investment is more likely to occur in those communities that are competitive.