A new state-of-the-art milk production plant and more jobs in the agrifood sector are coming to the Fraser Valley to help meet growing demand for dairy products.

Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, have released the following statement in recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science:

More B.C. businesses will be able to diversify markets for their world-class goods and create sustainable jobs for people with access to tools, resources and training through the creation of a new Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Centre of Excellence.

New funding for four food and beverage manufacturers will support local economies by creating new jobs, strengthening B.C.’s agrifood and agritech sectors, and promoting the development of made-in-B.C. products.

A $1.05-billion partnership between E-One Moli and the governments of B.C. and Canada will bring lithium-ion battery cell production to Maple Ridge and create 450 high-quality, permanent jobs that are key to growing the province’s clean economy.

New funding for the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Experimental Ocean Climate Change Lab (EXCEL) will support research on the impact of climate change on the environment and the promotion of resilience and sustainability for B.C.’s marine sector.

As thousands of jobs are created, British Columbians are seeing the benefits of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, which continues to support people through global inflation and economic challenges.

Small businesses throughout British Columbia will soon have access to new funding to support increased costs due to crime and vandalism, and to prevent further crime.