152,620 job openings are expected in the Vancouver Island/Coast region to 2020; about 23% of these (34,550) are expected to be newly created jobs.

Small business makes up 98 per cent of all business in the province and employs over one million people.

Since release of the BC Jobs Plan, B.C. has added 47,100 jobs as a result of a gain of 77,500 full-time positions combined with a loss of 30,300 part-time positions (as of February 2013).

B.C.'s labour laws and workplace safety standards apply to all workers regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

Feb. 18-22, 2013, is Chamber of Commerce Week in B.C. and I am delighted to recognize our province's 120 chambers of commerce for the incredible work they do all year-round.

This past fall, the government announced a plan to expand and align skills training programs with economic opportunities to ensure British Columbia has a workforce with the right skills, in the right places, at the right times. This plan will continue to drive decision-making in 2013.

The BC Jobs Plan has set a target to invest $25 billion in transportation infrastructure by 2020, creating up to 17,000 new jobs.

Earlier this year, two tragic sawmill explosions in northern British Columbia placed a spotlight on the importance of sawmill safety.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, the Province is working toward three liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants becoming operational by 2020, with one up and running as early as 2015.

Employment opportunities in the mining sector are expected to grow over the next decade, with more than 10,000 job openings expected by 2020. The industry will need skilled workers in several key occupations, including machinery and transportation equipment mechanics, primary production workers and vehicle drivers.