Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, has issued the following statement in response to Microsoft’s contribution to an in-depth study into a potential ultra-high-speed corridor service connecting Vancouver, Washington state and Oregon:

The Government of British Columbia is taking action to help clean technology companies so they can expand into global markets and create good jobs for people throughout B.C., Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, announced today.

Nearly 50 tech, research and investment partners from British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest launched the Cascadia Venture Acceleration Network today, which aims to match tech startups with funding and collaboration opportunities across borders.

The Province is contributing to a regional Metro Vancouver bid to play host to Amazon’s second headquarters, Amazon HQ2, which could generate US$5 billion in investment and create up to 50,000 jobs in B.C., announced Premier John Horgan at the UBCM convention today.

Communities in northern British Columbia are connected to the world as never before with the opening of Fairview Terminal’s expanded container facility at the Port of Prince Rupert.

The Province is investing $175,000 to support marketing of the Sunshine Coast as a tourism destination.

The Province is investing $66,000 to support marketing of the Southern Gulf Islands as a tourism destination.