Annual Service Plan Reports 2004/05 -- Office of the Premier

The Office of the Premier ensures the achievement of the New Era vision through leadership across government and Crown agencies in innovative planning, timely decision-making and effective service delivery, supported by leading-edge technology, open and transparent communications, and positive intergovernmental relations.

Values

The Office of the Premier's leadership of government is founded upon the government's values of:

Integrity: To make decisions in a manner that is consistent, professional, fair and balanced.

Accountability: To enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and credibility of government.

Choice: To afford all British Columbians the opportunity to exercise self-determination.

Office Overview, Core Business Areas and Structure

Office Overview

The Premier serves as the President of the Executive Council (Cabinet) of the Government of British Columbia. As head of the government and Cabinet, the Premier provides leadership to, and cohesion among ministers, ministries and agencies of government. The Office of the Premier provides advice and support to the Premier and Cabinet to facilitate effective and integrated operations of the Government of British Columbia.

The Office works closely with all ministries and major agencies to support their work and to ensure policy co-ordination across government. In addition, the Office of the Premier provides leadership in the following areas:

1. Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

The Secretariat works with all ministries and agencies of government to ensure that relations with federal, provincial and international governments advance British Columbia's interests.

2. Crown Agencies Secretariat

The Secretariat oversees the system of Crown Corporations and provides advice, information and support to improve good governance and accountability for results. The Board Resourcing and Development Office is an affiliate of the Secretariat and ensures the appointment of fully qualified Directors to Crown corporations, agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs).

3. Public Affairs Bureau

The Bureau leads and coordinates communications with internal and external stakeholders, and ensures that information about government programs and services is accessible to British Columbians.

4. Executive and Support Services

Premier's Office: The Office manages key relationships on behalf of the Premier and provides strategic advice, media relations and issues management support directly to the Premier.

Executive and Support Services: Comprised of the Office of the Deputy Ministers to the Premier and Cabinet Operations. The Deputy Ministers to the Premier provide leadership and co-ordination across all ministries and agencies of government for development of policies, legislation and public service reform. Cabinet Operations provides administrative support and services for Cabinet decision-making processes and facilitates the effective operation of Cabinet, and Cabinet and Government Caucus Committees (GCCs).

Office Operating Context

In pursuing its vision and outcomes, the Office of the Premier has faced a number of challenges and opportunities that have informed and shaped its planning context. Those include:

New Era Commitments

Government has achieved over 95 per cent of its New Era commitments. Some key achievements attained during the 2004/05 fiscal year include:

Cut the base personal income tax rate to the lowest rate of any province in Canada for the bottom two tax brackets, on the first $60,000 of income, within our first term. Honour this commitment without cutting funding for health or education.	*Done.* Since January 2002, British Columbians have paid the lowest base rates of personal income tax in Canada on their first $60,000 of income. In addition, the top marginal rate is the second-lowest in the country. Following Budget 2005, the BC Tax Reduction personal income tax credit further reduces or eliminates provincial income taxes for 730,000 British Columbians. Most individuals earning up to $16,000 a year will pay no provincial income tax and those earning up to $26,000 will pay lower personal income taxes.
Honestly balance the budget, without cutting funding for health care or education	*Done.* The government introduced two balanced budgets in February 2004 and February 2005. Total funding for healthcare across government has increased by $2.3 billion since 2000–01, from $9.5 billion in 2000–01 to $11.8 billion in 2004–05, and will rise a further $1.5 billion over the next three years to $13.3 billion by 2007–08. K-12 education base spending is being increased by $253 million over the next three years (which includes $150 million lift for school districts for the 2005–06 school year) and advanced education base funding will rise by $196 million over the next three years.
Cut the "red tape" and regulatory burden by 1/3 within three years.	*Done.* Between June 2001 and June 2004, B.C.'s regulatory burden was reduced by over 144,000 requirements achieving a net reduction of 37 per cent.
Stimulate tourism with a plan to improve operators' ability to successfully compete for visitors from around the world.	*Done.* Announced a new provincial tourism strategy to enhance tourism marketing, and promote community and resort development. This includes doubling the annual marketing budget for Tourism B.C. to $50 million, providing $25 million to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) to create a five-year tourism marketing plan, granting $2 million to each of the six regional tourism marketing organizations; completing an action plan for resort development; and posting new welcome signs at all entrances to the province.
Encourage mineral exploration, which has dropped by 80 per cent under the NDP.	*Ongoing.* Government has developed a comprehensive and integrated Mining Plan for B.C. that will build on government's support-to-date for the industry. Budget 2005 announced $110 million to enhance resource development, which includes an extension of the Mining Exploration Tax Credit for 10 years, $18 million for implementation of the provincial Mining Plan and improvements to mining safety and services, and $25 million towards a new geoscience centre. This builds on recent growth in mining in the province, which includes spending on exploration topping $130 million in 2004 — more than four times the $29 million spent in 2001.
Increase funding for the British Columbia Arts Council to promote and support BC arts, music, artists and culture.	*Done.* Budget 2005 allocates an additional $3 million annually to the BC Arts Council budget beginning in 2005–06. It also establishes a one-time $25-million Arts and Culture Endowment Fund. As well, the province has established a $20-million Spirit of B.C. Fund and the $12-million ArtsNow program through LegaciesNow to support arts and cultural components leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Focus on reducing BC's youth unemployment, which is the worst of any province west of Quebec.	*Ongoing.* As of February 2005, 44,300 more youth were working than in December 2001 — that represents a 16 per cent increase. Furthermore, the youth unemployment rate in February stood at 12.5 per cent, 2.4 per cent lower than just one year before. In December 2004, the youth unemployment rate was 11.3 per cent — the lowest provincial rate since August 1990.
Promote clean and renewable alternative energy sources, like wind, thermal, solar, tidal, biomass and fuel cell technologies.	*Ongoing.* Government support for IPP development has resulted in over a billion dollars in past and planned investment by the IPP sector. The 16 IPP projects from BC Hydro's 2003 Green Call for Power, could create up to 1,000 construction jobs and generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 180,000 homes. Under the province's Energy Plan, the goal of deriving 50 per cent of new power from clean sources is providing independent power producers with opportunities to develop clean energy sources like micro-hydro, cogeneration, wind, solar and fuel-cell power. A comprehensive Alternative Energy Strategy is under development. This includes the creation of an Alternative Energy and Power Task Force, and tax measures in Budget 2005 to promote the use of cleaner, alternative energy sources — such as PST exemptions for energy efficient heating and PST relief for the purchase of hybrid vehicles.
Double the annual number of graduates in computer science, and electrical and computer engineering, within five years.	*Ongoing*. In 2005/06, 825 new seats will be funded for computer science and electrical and computer engineering as part of our commitment to double the number of student seats in these fields. This brings the number of funded spaces in these programs to almost 8,000. Government has added more than 3,000 seats since 2002/03. Ministry staff are working with participating institutions to track increased graduates from this initiative.
Maintain and increase education funding levels by increasing revenues through economic growth.	*Done.* Budget 2005 announced that base funding for K-12 education would rise by $253 million over the next three years. This includes in 2005–06 an increase to direct funding for school districts by $150 million — the largest single increase in a decade. BC will be investing a record $7,097 per student in 2005–06, an increase of $881 per student since 2000/01 even though enrollment has declined by 30,000 students over the same period. Furthermore, government has provided districts with over $153 million in one-time grants since taking office in 2001.
Increase the number of medical school graduates over the next five years.	*Ongoing.* The medical school at UBC is being expanded and will include new satellite campuses at UNBC and UVIC. The first class of Northern Medical Program and Island Medical Program students have begun their first term of study at UBC in Vancouver. They began studying at UVIC and UNBC in January 2005. First year medical-school spaces will almost double, to 224 from 128, by 2005.
Increase emphasis on early childhood intervention programs for families with special needs children.	*Done.* Since June 2001, government funding for early childhood development has increased by $50 million to $348 million (as of 2004–05 estimates). Budget 2005 further dedicated an additional $241 million over the next three years for programs including early childhood screening and enhanced services for children with special needs. In addition, the province has launched Children First learning initiatives in 30 B.C. communities that offer educational, physical and social support, which helps to identify children at risk and prevent crises before they reach school age, as well as 41 Aboriginal early child development projects. As of 2004–05, Infant Development Program funding has increased by $3.1 million since 2001, and funding for early intervention therapies has increased by $2.0 million, bringing combined expenditures in both these areas to $31.1 million.
Fast-track treaty talks, to conclude fair treaty settlements.	*Done and Ongoing.* In the last year, Agreements-in-Principle have been signed with four First Nations: Lheidli T'enneh, Maanulth, Suneymuxw and Sliammon. These are based on the publicly endorsed principles for treaty negotiation. Instructions have been issued to all negotiators to identify opportunities for expediting agreements.
Appoint a Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform to assess all possible models for electing the MLAs, including preferential ballots, proportional representation, and our current electoral system.	*Done.* The assembly reported its findings in December 2004. Their proposed change to the electoral system was part of a referendum question alongside the provincial election on May 17, 2005.