Highlights of the Year

B.C.-Alberta Cabinet Meetings: In 2003, Premier Campbell and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein hosted the first joint cabinet meeting between the two provinces in over 20 years. They continued that partnership commitment with two more joint cabinet meetings in the past year. At a joint cabinet meeting in May 2004, B.C. and Alberta signed a series of agreements to remove inter-provincial trade and investment barriers, harmonize regulations for the oil and gas industry, increase environmental co-operation, and co-operate on e-learning opportunities.

At their third joint meeting in March 2005, the two provinces committed to work together on opening up access to the Asia-Pacific and addressing the mountain pine beetle infestation. Agreements signed at that meeting included commitments to open up northern airports and to study the feasibility of a West Coast Container Super Port at Prince Rupert. The provinces also agreed on a shared investment of $1.65 million for beetle control and mitigation in the Peace Region.

Federal-Provincial Relations: The Premier continued to advance B.C.'s social and economic priorities at the federal level. Through meetings with the Prime Minister, the Premier strengthened B.C.'s role in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States and secured federal support to respond to the impact of the mountain pine beetle in B.C. The federal government has committed to an initial investment of $100 million in pine beetle assistance, with further work to be done to identify the long-term requirements. In addition, the Prime Minister has recognized B.C.'s importance as Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and the federal government has committed to support key gateway projects like the expansion of the Port of Prince Rupert.

The Premier also continued to play a leadership role in working with Ottawa and his provincial counterparts to ensure sustainable, modern health care for all Canadians. In May 2004, the Premier and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty co-chaired a Forum on Health Care in Toronto. At the Western Premier's Conference in Nunavut and the Council of the Federation in Ontario in July 2004 the Premiers established an action plan for health care renewal.

At the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa in September 2004, the Premiers' action plan led to the development of a new 10-year health care agreement with the federal government. That new agreement will see $5.4 billion invested in B.C. health care over the next 10 years, providing stable long-term funding to support health reforms, reduced wait-times and a sustainable health care system.

Trade Missions/International Promotion: In June 2004, the Premier led a delegation of B.C. biotech leaders to the Bio 2004 trade show and investment forum in California to promote B.C.'s leadership as one of the fastest growing biotechnology centres in North America.

The Premier also promoted B.C.'s renewed economic strength and role as a North American Gateway to the Asia-Pacific in speeches to business leaders in Toronto and New York. In March the Premier established a new B.C. Competition Council and a new Asia-Pacific Trade Council to advance the province's gateway role and further strengthen B.C.'s economic competitiveness.

ActNowBC: In March 2005, the Premier launched the ActNowBC initiative to help meet the throne speech goal of making B.C. the healthiest, most physically fit jurisdiction ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games. ActNowBC combines cross-government and community-based approaches to address common chronic disease risk factors through programs and initiatives that support healthier eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use and promoting healthy choices during pregnancy.

Provincial Congress: In January 2005, the Premier hosted the third Provincial Congress, this year focusing on public safety with the announcement of a new crime-fighting strategy that includes funding for 215 additional police officers for B.C. communities. One in a series of dialogues introduced in the Throne Speech of 2001, the Congress helps to establish an understanding of British Columbia's issues so that all the province's elected representatives can work together on a B.C. agenda that will meet the needs of all constituents. The Congress brings together all British Columbia's Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament and Senators, mayors from the province's 15 largest cities, the presidents of the five regional municipal associations, the President of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and aboriginal leaders.

In 2004/05 the Premier also led the first Premier's Literacy Summit, announcing a new 12‑member Premier's Advisory Panel on Literacy (Nov. 3, 2004) and the fourth Cabinet meeting with the First Nations Summit chiefs in Vancouver (Nov. 26, 2004).