Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Yesterday's Throne Speech...

In opening the 5th Session and final Session of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia - Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor (Hon. Judith Guichon, OBC) read out the BC Liberals' plans for the final session of the provincial Parliament.  Read the full document here

One interesting idea was a "Prosperity Fund" similiar to Alberta's where the idea was to stick oil revenues (or in BC's case - LNG revenues) away when these (oil/LNG) non-renewable resources dried up

Already - the mainstream media has slammed the BC Liberals' "Speech from the Throne" as weak, out of gas and missing a golden opportunity

Not a surprise - both the NDP and the fledgling BC Conservatives slammed the Speech from the Throne - you can read their response here (BC NDP) and here (BC Conservatives)

My own uncle, Alan Forseth (Reg Director for the BC Conservatives) looks at this item too which you can read here

For more information on the 'Prosperity Fund' - you can go here

Finally - my own MLA -- BC Liberal Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett speaks on the Throne Speech earlier today, here is what she had to say:

It is my honour to move today, seconded by the member for Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, the following motion:

[We, Her Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present session.]

It was with great interest that I listened to the Speech from the Throne yesterday. The central theme of the throne speech was seizing on economic opportunities and securing the future of British Columbia families, and nowhere is this more important than in rural areas of British Columbia.

As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, I represent not only my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin but also the interests of rural communities across our province. Representing rural British Columbia is a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I consider myself privileged to speak on behalf of the communities that make up the backbone of the province of British Columbia.

While much of the population of our great province lies in urban areas such as the capital region and Metro Vancouver, it is the rural areas that give British Columbia its unique characteristics. Rural and urban regions in our province depend on each other, but the fact is that many rural areas in British Columbia are going through a difficult period as a result of the global economic downturn of the past few years.

This includes many regions which will become the focus of our province's future economic growth, with the development of resources such as natural gas. But it is important to remember that rural B.C. is not a uniform region with the same resources or the same needs everywhere. There are major differences between the issues facing different rural areas. While some areas have seen a boom as a result of oil, gas and mining, many have seen slow population growth and relative economic stagnation.

As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, addressing this is very important to me. The fact is that while the unique needs of rural communities in our province are often acknowledged, what is really needed is a discussion of what could be called for — systemic changes facing rural B.C…. We need a clear picture of these challenges if we are really to improve the economic standing of rural communities in our province, ensuring that they experience growth proportional to that which is benefitting urban centres.

Last month the Rural B.C. project, which I am involved in through my work with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, released a discussion paper entitled The Pathway to Prosperity in British Columbia Runs Through its Rural Places: A Long-term Strategy for Rural Development. This paper was focused on setting out a long-term strategy for investment in the social and economic development of our rural regions.

I'd like to take some time to talk to you about this paper and work on the Rural B.C. project which is relevant for all rural British Columbians. The Rural B.C. project is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the issues that are faced by rural B.C.

It uses a non-partisan, cooperative approach, presenting a picture of the needs of rural communities free of any political agenda.

It was launched in 2010 through contributions from each of the three regional beetle action coalitions in our province: the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. These three beetle action coalitions, each supported by $1 million a year in provincial funding for a period of three years, have worked together to create the B.C. rural project.

The paper released by the Rural B.C. project last month, which is the by $1 million a year in provincial funding for a period of three years, have worked together to create the Rural B.C. project.

The paper released by the Rural B.C. project last month, which is the result of a great deal of research into this subject, proposes a long-term strategy to support social and economic development in rural communities.
The report recommends working with existing organizations for economic and social development and collaborating with First Nations and non–First Nations communities as part of the decision-making process. Government must commit to long-term investment in rural regions, appoint a provincial cabinet minister responsible for rural issues and engage local rural stakeholders to adopt public lands and a resources management strategy. Using the resources of post-secondary institutions is a key asset. Venture capital and business support are required.

The needs of rural British Columbians are diverse, and each also has different strengths. My region, the Cariboo-Chilcotin, relies on several key industries, including forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism. Our forest industry is alive and well despite the damage caused by the pine beetle infestation. We are working with business groups and First Nations to ensure that our forest policies are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Last month our government issued a First Nations woodland licence to the Tsq'escen' people of the Canim Lake Band, allowing the band to harvest up to 20,000 cubic metres of timber per year. This is only the second First Nations woodland licence agreement to be signed in the province, and I'm proud it was in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We are also working with business groups to promote a sustainable forest policy in the region.

This past week I had a chance to visit Quesnel, where I dropped by the College of New Caledonia campus. I had the chance to see the trades and training program in action — a program that has been running for two years. I attended a ceremony for the joint program being run by West Fraser Mills and the College of New Caledonia. It has West Fraser employees receiving training at CNC and improves access to courses for students in the region.

West Fraser Mills and CNC are working together to design and deliver programs that help meet the needs of the industry and provide jobs for new graduates — for example, as millwrights. In 2013-14 over 140 students will be participating in apprenticeships through this program.

Not surprisingly, the newest building on the CNC campus in Quesnel is officially named the West Fraser Technical Centre. West Fraser Mills is investing $250,000 over a period of ten years, or $25,000 a year, in CNC.

This is just one of many examples of the way that our government is producing partnerships with the private sector. We understand business, and we are providing businesses the opportunity to grow prosperous, benefiting our provincial economy and B.C. families.

This is in sharp contrast to the NDP record on forestry management, exemplified by the breach-of-contract court case brought by Carrier Lumber in the Cariboo. In that case, much of the work took place during the hon. member for Vancouver-Kingsway's tenure as chief of staff for the government in the 1990s, ending up costing taxpayers close to $150 million in compensation after a 1999 court ruling found that the NDP government concealed evidence and manipulated administrative procedures to get its way. With a record like this, how can we even say the NDP has a viable forest policy?

What about an economically viable mining policy? In yesterday's throne speech one of the main themes was the economic opportunity that presents itself to our province at the present time

In yesterday's throne speech one of the main themes was the economic opportunity that presents itself to our province at the present time and the chance to create a legacy that will benefit our children and grandchildren through the prosperity fund. The prosperity fund presents a wonderful opportunity for securing the economic future of our province, providing a legacy for our children and grandchildren. Paying down our provincial debt, for example, will save our province $2.5 billion a year — money which can be reinvested in the economic development of B.C., including its rural area.

In my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin there is another prosperity project, and it also offers a promise of a lasting legacy that can benefit all of the surrounding communities now and for future generations. The project I am talking about, of course, is the Prosperity mine. The Prosperity mine would bring strong and far-reaching economic benefits to our region, but it has been delayed by an ongoing federal environmental review.

Our province has the highest environmental standards, and we value our environment. That is why we demand full environmental impact assessments before allowing projects to go forward — secure in the knowledge that when a project is approved, that project has been evaluated in a fair and thorough manner. And when these assessments have been completed and the project is approved, we know it is safe from an environmental point of view.

The Prosperity mine project has undergone a thorough evaluation, and the B.C. environmental assessment office has once given it a conditional approval. Our environmental experts looked at the project objectively and ruled it met the most stringent environmental standards, yet the Prosperity mine is not moving forward at this time. And a project that could be worthy of its name, for a region that has been affected in the last few years by the global economic downturn and the devastation of the pine beetle infestation, has been stalled.

I hope to see this issue resolved in the near future and to see the project move forward, and while I find myself disappointed to see a project that could have such a positive impact in our region held up, I am even more disappointed to see the political posturing of the opposition around this issue. A project such as Prosperity mine, which can help revitalize the economy of our entire region, should not be held hostage by what is politically convenient.
When built, Prosperity would create 500 full-time jobs and over 1,200 indirect jobs and would spend $200 million every year during the 22-year anticipated life span of the mine. That's why it disappoints me to see the NDP opposing this beneficial project, which could have such a positive economic impact on our region. The NDP remains opposed, both literally and figuratively, to prosperity.

Agriculture is an important industry in my region and all over rural B.C., with farms ranging in size from a few acres to over 30,000 acres, and the beef sector is a major part of our economy. I have been fortunate to sit on the Ranching Task Force, looking at the many important issues facing our agriculture industry, such as predator control and range issues and meat inspection.

Another important industry in the Cariboo-Chilcotin is tourism. Last month I was honoured to be asked to write the introduction to the Guide to Williams Lake and Area. Our region provides so many amazing opportunities, and I am very proud to represent this region with so much to offer.

I have been working with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association to improve tourism opportunities in our region, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

The tourism industry requires a quality transportation system to function properly, and I was thrilled to see the completion of $8.5 million worth of regional road improvements completed in my region, with the resurfacing or seal-coating of many of our most important transportation arteries.

Yesterday's throne speech focused a great deal on leaving a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren, but it is important to remember our elder citizens as well. That is why I'm proud to note some of the great investments government has made to help seniors in my riding. This includes the opening of a DriveABLE assessment service in Williams Lake. This means that drivers who have been recommended for the assessment as a result of medical practitioners' concerns about an individual's cognitive abilities in regards to safe driving can now complete the assessment close to home.

Another great investment for seniors has been the renovation of Deni House in Williams Lake and the expansion of Fischer Place in 100 Mile House. It is important for our government to continue to invest in this type of care for our elderly citizens, to ensure that they have access to the best services available. Our support for seniors is boosted by the age-friendly grants recently received by Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. In 100 Mile House, they received $19,967 and Williams Lake received $20,000 to support age-friendly planning and projects benefiting seniors. This program, which our government runs in partnership with the Union of B.C. Municipalities, is just one way that we are supporting seniors and families.

Having celebrated Family Day earlier this week, we are reminded of the importance of supporting British Columbia families and ensuring that they can rely on a strong economy and well-paying jobs both now and in the future. Nowhere is securing this legacy more important than our rural communities — our mining communities, our forestry, our tourism, our agriculture and more.

I hope to see all the members of this House working together for the good of our rural regions which will keep B.C. strong.

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