Ministry Overview
Purpose of Ministry
The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts was created in 2005. The Ministry has an ambitious mandate: to provide leadership
to the tourism, sport and arts sectors in order to foster job creation, business development, dynamic communities, and healthy,
active citizens. One of the Ministry's key objectives is to double tourism revenues by 2015, in a manner which is economically,
socially, and environmentally sustainable. Other main objectives are to foster a sustainable creative economy and, in partnership
with the Ministry of Health and other ministries, improve the health and social well-being of British Columbians through increased
physical activity and healthy living. The Ministry accomplishes this important work through a number of programs, many of
which are delivered through third parties and Crown corporations. The Ministry's key program areas are as follows.
Tourism
The Ministry works closely with key partners and industry associations to resolve issues, coordinate investments, address
challenges, and build strong relationships across the tourism sector. These partners and associations include organizations
such as Tourism BC, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Council of Tourism Associations, the Wilderness Tourism Association,
the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, Tourism Vancouver, Cruise BC and Conventions BC.
The stewardship of 1,240 forest recreation sites and 650 trails is accomplished through partnership agreements and service
contracts with First Nations, local governments, community organizations and contractors. The Ministry works in partnership
with other levels of government, the heritage community and the private sector to encourage and facilitate the protection
and conservation of heritage and archaeology in British Columbia. The Ministry also supports resort development and adventure
tourism through Crown land tenures and sales, based on sustainable environmental management principles and consultation with
First Nations and local governments.
Sport, Physical Activity, and ActNow BC
The Ministry supports the development of a sustainable recreation and sport system and leads ActNow BC, a cross ministry program.
It delivers its programs through many partners including the 2010 Legacies Now Society, Sport BC, BC Recreation and Parks
Association, PacificSport and other provincial and multi-sport and recreation agencies. It works with the BC Lottery Corporation
and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to deliver SportsFunder, a lottery program to support amateur sport
and physical activity. As well, it partners with Sport Canada to support a sport participation program and an Aboriginal Sport
Excellence program. The Ministry facilitates opportunities for individual participation in organized sport as well as other
types of physical and recreational activity.
The division works with local organizing and bid committees to promote British Columbia as a domestic and international event
host, and works with the BC Games Society to deliver the BC Family of Games: BC Summer, BC Winter, BC Seniors, Northern BC Winter
and BC Disability Games.
The brand promise of ActNow BC is simple, easy ways to better health. ActNow BC objectives include: encouraging citizens to become more physically active; helping them make better nutritional
choices; lowering the number of people who smoke; and helping women to make healthy choices during pregnancy. The Ministry's
primary responsibility under ActNow BC is to help citizens become more physically active.
The Sport, Recreation, Volunteers and ActNow BC division also works in partnership with government and non-government organizations
to develop, recognize, and build lasting capacity in the volunteer sector.
Arts and Culture
The Ministry works to develop the creative economy in British Columbia, by supporting the diverse arts and cultural sector
including creative industries, not-for-profit societies, individual artists, and cultural infrastructure projects. The Ministry
partners with other levels of government and parties such as the BC Arts Council, BC Film, ArtStarts in Schools, the Assembly
of BC Arts Councils, the Vancouver Foundation, the Vancouver Olympic Committee, and the First Peoples' Heritage, Language
and Culture Council.
BC Film Commission
The BC Film Commission is the lead agency in marketing British Columbia as a potential film destination and in promoting the
province's locations, skilled labour, and film industry infrastructure. It provides direct, project-based customer service
and works in cooperation with local and regional-based film offices to facilitate access to motion picture locations and facilities.
It partners with industry stakeholders and local communities to maintain B.C.'s international reputation as a film-friendly
and cost-effective centre of production.
The eight regional film commissions are held accountable through criteria and deliverables identified in contribution agreements
with the Ministry. Other key partners include BC Film, the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of British Columbia,
local and international production companies, labour unions, film studios, post-production facilities, service suppliers,
industry associations, municipalities, other ministries and government agencies, and the general public.
BC2008
2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia as a Crown colony. The Ministry has the mandate to coordinate
cross government activities related to the BC2008 celebration. In addition to honouring the past, BC2008 provides a vehicle
to focus on the future, supporting several government initiatives and priorities including: the Asia Pacific Initiative, ActNow BC,
the Tourism Action Plan, the New Relationship with First Nations, as well as enhancing literacy, arts and education.
Legislative Mandate
Key legislation in the Ministry's purview includes the Heritage Conservation Act, the Museum Act, the Tourism British Columbia Act and the Tourism Act. A complete list is provided in Appendix 1.
Crowns and Agencies
A substantial proportion of the Ministry's programs are delivered through Crown corporations and agencies. In addition to
the BC Games Society and the BC Arts Council, the Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts is responsible for providing direction
and oversight to Tourism BC, the Royal BC Museum Corporation, the BC Pavilion Corporation, the Provincial Capital Commission,
and the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project Ltd.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
A province where citizens embrace participation and healthy lifestyles, and celebrate and maximize the social and economic
benefits from tourism, sport and the arts.
Mission
To build strong partnerships that will foster sustainable tourism, sport and arts sectors, healthy lifestyles, and creative,
active communities where people want to live, visit and invest.
Values
The Ministry is guided by the following values in conducting its work:
Collaboration: promoting team work, and building relationships and partnerships of mutual trust and confidence;
Integrity: communicating and behaving in ways that show respect, honesty and high ethical standards;
Citizen-Centred: providing high levels of service and responsiveness to ministry clients in a timely and effective manner;
Transparency and Accountability: providing effective and efficient delivery of services, and practicing sound results-driven financial management; and
Innovation and Creativity: building a dynamic and innovative organization which encourages creativity and imagination.