NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2005OTP0019-000122 Feb. 8, 2005	Office of the Premier
THRONE SPEECH SETS OUT GREAT GOALS FOR A GOLDEN DECADE

VICTORIA – With the final throne speech of B.C.’s 37^th Parliament, Premier Gordon Campbell called this a time to reflect on the hard work and success of British Columbians over the last four years, and a time to turn our attention to the future of the province.

 

“In four years, we’ve been able to turn around B.C.’s economy and balance our budget,” said Campbell. “Now it’s time to move beyond recovery, and plot a course for B.C. that is far-reaching, forward-looking, and truly global. That future will be built on our great strengths as a province and as a people at the gateway of the Asia-Pacific.”

 

Premier Campbell set out a five-point plan called Great Goals For A Golden Decade:

1. Make B.C. the best-educated, most literate place in North America.
2. Make B.C. a model for healthy living and physical fitness.
3. Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk, and seniors.
4. Lead the world in sustainable environmental management.
5. Lead Canada in job creation.

 

“Our goal is to help B.C. realize its full potential as the best place on Earth to raise a family, to live and play, and to work, invest, and get ahead,” said Campbell.

 

The throne speech outlined important new initiatives, including:

• An Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy that includes an Asia-Pacific Trade Council, and a network of B.C. Trade and Cultural Centres in key international markets that will work to make B.C.’s products available to the world.
• A World Trade University in Chilliwack, and a One World Scholarship Fund to build new relationships with the world.
• A B.C. Competition Council to explore making B.C. more economically competitive and productive in the face of a fluctuating dollar.
• A Pacific Centre for Disease Control that builds on the success and expertise of our B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
• Supporting the Michael Smith Foundation with $100 million in 2007 to help it continue leading the world in health research.
• Launching “Act Now” – a new health and fitness promotion program – to help focus new energy and new resources on preventative health care.
• Limiting increases in tuition fees to the rate of inflation, while providing universities and colleges with increased funding.
• A Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues to identify needs and opportunities in seniors’ housing, review the issue of mandatory retirement, and recommend ways of improving seniors’ quality of living.
• A B.C. Conservation Corps and up to 50 more park rangers to create a new generation of conservationists.
• An Alternative Energy and Power Task Force reporting directly to cabinet to find new ways to encourage green power projects.

 

The throne speech also outlined the province’s successes of the last four years, including more jobs, better services for families and people in need, safer streets and schools, and better health and education.

 

“We can now expand services for the most vulnerable in our society and improve access to education and high quality health care – that’s the power of a strong economy,” said Campbell. “A balanced approach to our budget – one that includes spending on priorities, paying down the debt, and keeping taxes low – will ensure we can sustain these services into the future.”

 

The government’s Asia-Pacific Gateway Strategy sets out a bold new plan to open British Columbia to new trade, investment, visitors, and cultures.

 

“We are uniquely positioned as Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific,” said Campbell. “We have a golden opportunity to open that gateway wide and make it B.C.’s competitive edge. British Columbia can become North America’s foremost Pacific crossroads. We are ready to tell the world about all we have achieved and all we have to offer as British Columbians.”

 

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The full text of the throne speech is available on the Legislative Assembly website at http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/37th6th/4-8-37-6.htm.

Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218
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