The Province will partner with the North Fraser communities of Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission in the first of three regional economic development pilot projects as part of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.

The Regional Economic Investment Pilot is aimed at attracting investment, identifying opportunities, economic diversification and job creation in areas consistent with the BC Jobs Plan. The pilot will roll out in each community with a local forum, and the first is being held on Dec. 8 in the North Fraser region, and will be hosted by Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

At the forum, representatives from local government, business, industry, First Nations and education will explore investment opportunities and share solutions to overcoming barriers. By the end of the forum, an inventory of potential projects and an initial action plan on how best to implement them will have been created. The provincial government will assist the North Fraser by developing an intensified approach to capitalize on those opportunities.

Working with employers and communities to enable job creation is one of the key pillars of the BC Jobs Plan announced by Premier Christy Clark in September. To accelerate growth, the BC Jobs Plan leverages the strengths of B.C.'s most competitive sectors to bring new dollars into the economy from the province's most important trading partners. Those sectors are: forestry, mining, natural gas, agri-foods, technology, tourism, transportation and international education.

Campbell River and the Barriere to McBride corridor have also been selected for the pilot. A decision on a First Nations community will be announced soon.

It is expected that economic forums in selected communities will be completed by March 2012. The lessons learned from these pilots will then be applied across the province.

Quotes:

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes -

"The North Fraser communities have a lot to offer the B.C. economy. We are rich in resources and have abundant agricultural land. This forum will help the Fraser Valley work together to attract investment, create jobs and show the world Canada really does start here."

Pitt Meadows Mayor-elect Deb Walters -

"Our region has a great deal to offer in regard to location, competitive advantage and opportunities for investment. I am very pleased that Pitt Meadows, in partnership with our neighbours in Maple Ridge and Mission, will be working collaboratively with the Province to attract investment and create jobs. This is a wonderful opportunity to put the spotlight on the North Fraser region as an important economic corridor."

Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin -

"I understand that as different communities we have different challenges. But by coming together as a united region, we will realize opportunities and successes that we would not have been able to achieve individually."

Mission Mayor elect Ted Adlem -

"Economic development among the three communities joined together to promote the North Fraser region will be a very positive, forward-looking initiative."

Learn More:

To find out more about BC Jobs Plan visit http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

Regional Economic Investment Pilot

Canada Starts Here:The BC Jobs Plan aims to create long-term jobs and investment across the province by building on key competitive advantages. To achieve this, the provincial government will engage with communities and support them in developing strategies to create lasting economic benefit and boost job creation.

Piloting the approach in a small number of regions allows more focus on key initiatives. It will also enhance government's understanding of how best to assist and streamline communities' economic development.

The four selected communities represent the diversity of community needs across the province, and include: Campbell River (medium size city), the Barriere to McBride corridor (small rural communities), North Fraser (small urban area) and a First Nations community.

Pilots were selected using the following considerations:

• Diverse community locations.
• Range of population sizes.
• Diverse economic challenges and opportunities.
• Strong indication of investment-ready projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to planning for the future.
• Strong local leadership.
• Community-level recognition of the value of non-monetary assistance.
• Alignment with key competitive sectors identified in the BC Jobs Plan.

Economic forums with key stakeholders will be held in each of the four pilot regions concluding by March 2012. Through these sessions economic investment opportunities in each pilot area will be identified.

The Province will assist communities by providing expertise, and facilitating community and regional linkages to key partners, stakeholders and programs to advance investment opportunities. No funding will be provided to communities.

Selected projects will be implemented in the following six to 18 months. Once the pilots are complete, additional communities will have the opportunity to partner the government on investment opportunities.

Contact:

Marisa Adair
Communications Director
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-9869