Strategic Context
Five Great Goals
The Government of British Columbia has established Five Great Goals.
- Make British Columbia the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent.
- Lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.
- Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors.
- Lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none.
- Create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada.
The Ministry of Transportation supports these Five Great Goals in various ways. Especially relevant to the ministry is the goal to create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Job creation depends on the success of the economy, and an efficient and effective transportation system is essential to economic growth. All of the ministry's activities support the improved performance of this system, which in turn facilitates the creation of jobs.
Factors Affecting Service Delivery
The provincial transportation system is our link with the global economy and many factors affect the business of the ministry. Factors that affected ministry service delivery in 2005/06 include the following.
- Increased population and economic activity led to a growth in transportation demand.
- Higher fuel and oil prices increased the cost of oil-based products such as asphalt, resulting in increased costs for new infrastructure and maintenance of existing infrastructure.
- Higher costs of construction material such as steel and concrete increased transportation improvement costs, particularly with respect to bridges.
- The rapid spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle accelerated timber harvesting activities, resulting in increased wear and tear on the highway system. Concerns over the state of infrastructure and service to industry led the provincial government to dedicate funding to rehabilitate deteriorating roads in the Interior.
- The ministry welcomed the addition of the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement functions. The new responsibilities provided additional tools to support economic growth and improve public safety.
