METRO Vancouver on Thursday commended the B.C. Government on formulating an economic plan that envisions growing the provincial economy in a way that is inclusive and sustainable, which will help make this region a better place to live.
“Finding economic success in the region will require the region’s leaders to invest in our people, catalyze innovation, build capacity in key industries, and position our region for success in a global market,” said Sav Dhaliwal, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors and of the Invest Vancouver Management Board. “I am pleased to see our provincial leaders put forward a strong, carefully considered economic plan that supports those strategies.”
StrongerBC: A Plan for Today, a Vision for Tomorrow aligns with the efforts of Invest Vancouver, the economic prosperity service that Metro Vancouver created to support the region. With actions such as an enhanced commitment to equitable access to skills training, the B.C. Economic Plan will help set residents up for success while ensuring people and businesses thrive in B.C.’s clean economy — which will be particularly important as local governments find more innovative ways to deliver core services to residents.
In addition to economic prosperity work being completed through the newly created Invest Vancouver, Metro Vancouver and its member jurisdictions are supporting the region’s economic growth and its future prosperity by creating jobs and economic opportunities through strategic investment in infrastructure and public services.
That includes investing more than $7 billion over the next five years to build, maintain, and upgrade the critical infrastructure that underlies the prosperity and livability of the region, such as the Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“The investments and initiatives being made by local government, and supported by this plan, will better position us to thrive as a region, helping to create long-term, family-supporting jobs while building a future that is greener, more resilient, and more equitable,” said Dhaliwal.
He added that Metro Vancouver is also pleased to see that the provincial plan highlights clean economic growth that helps meet CleanBC climate commitments and supports the ambitious emission reduction and resilience targets outlined in Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan.
“It is essential for all orders of government to work together to address climate change, and it is reassuring to see a plan that supports our efforts to create a sustainable region while growing our economy,” said Dhaliwal. “I look forward to our continued work together to invest in our people, catalyze innovation, and build capacity in key industries for the prosperity of all our residents.”