Premier Christy Clark announced today the two highly qualified British Columbians who will chair the BC Jobs and Investment Board and the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council, created under ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’.

“These talented British Columbians will help us determine what government can do better so we can create good jobs for families and develop new opportunities for Aboriginal peoples,” said Premier Clark. “Ray Castelli’s extensive experience in international business development in a variety of industries and his key roles in government makes him ideal to head the BC Jobs and Investment Board. Ellis Ross’s pragmatic approach to economic development, co-operation and collaboration make him an incredible asset to the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council.”

Castelli is CEO of Weatherhaven, one of the world’s leading suppliers of redeployable camps and shelter systems. He has also held senior positions at Alcan Aluminum, Naikun Wind Development, and Quadrem, a global procurement services company formed by 19 of the world’s largest mining and metals companies.

Ross is chief councillor of the Haisla Nation and a former Department of Fisheries and Oceans employee who has also run a log-salvage business and worked in the charter-boat industry. The chair of the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council has a standing position on the BC Jobs and Investment Board, so he will serve on both bodies, providing a direct link between them.

The BC Jobs and Investment Board will provide advice and direction to government on policies and programs to help attract sustainable investment, foster economic development and support job creation. It will focus on the eight key sectors in the BC Jobs Plan - forestry, mining, natural gas, agri-foods, technology, tourism, transportation (ports, marine and aerospace) and international education.

“The global market for investment capital is fiercely competitive, and B.C. has to be more creative than ever, as well as leverage our natural advantages, to attract that investment,” said Castelli. “The role of the Jobs and Investment Board is to help government ensure no stones are left unturned in the search for long-term investment and sustainable jobs for our communities.”

The Aboriginal Business and Investment Council will work with Aboriginal communities and the private sector to make recommendations to government on strategies to improve Aboriginal peoples’ participation in the economy, identify successful investment models between Aboriginals and the private sector, foster economic development in Aboriginal communities, and increase overall investment in the province.

“The Crown, the investor and Aboriginal peoples have the opportunity to enable Aboriginal communities to help themselves - but it has to be based on understanding the nature of the respective parties,” said Ross. “Aboriginal peoples have to learn about what it takes to succeed in the business world. Business has to learn how to engage with them, and the Crown has to know what it can bring to the table and how to ensure it flows smoothly. If we can make headway on these hurdles, we will see projects getting built and Aboriginal peoples being involved in the economy surrounding them.”

The board and the council will report to government twice a year.

“Both the Jobs and Investment Board and the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council will support our BC Jobs Plan goal of being either first or second in Canada for job creation and GDP growth by 2015,” said Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell. “The Jobs and Investment Board also fulfils our commitment to create a board of experienced and respected business people to measure how major projects are moving through the regulatory and environmental processes.”

The chairs are working with government’s Board Resourcing and Development Office to finalize appointments of other members. The positions have been posted online, and members are chosen through a merit-based process.

Learn More:

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan:  www.bcjobsplan.ca

Two backgrounders follow.
 
BACKGROUNDER 1:
BC Jobs and Investment Board

• The BC Jobs and Investment Board was created under ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’ to help government attract sustainable investment, foster economic development and support job creation.
• Members will be representative of the economic and cultural diversity in British Columbia, and of the key sectors targeted in ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’.
• The board will advise government on investment opportunities around the province, work with industry to identify issues and processes that may be limiting that investment, and make recommendations to address them.
• The board will also:

• Host potential key investors to B.C. and encourage investment.
• Identify opportunities for economic development in B.C. and for improving B.C.’s relative competitiveness.
• Provide expert advice on global issues and trends.
• Offer advice on how to promote B.C. as a global destination of choice for international industries to locate their headquarters, including leveraging B.C.’s geographic advantage to recruit Asia-Pacific businesses.

• The Jobs and Investment Board will continue some of the work done previously by the BC Progress Board, which it replaces, to monitor key economic indicators.

• The Aboriginal Business and Investment Council, created under Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, will work with Aboriginal communities and the private sector to make recommendations on strategies to improve Aboriginals’ participation in the economy and promote economic growth in Aboriginal communities.
• The council will identify successful investment models between Aboriginal communities and investors and identify ways that they can be replicated in B.C.
• It will provide expert advice on Aboriginal economic development policy.
• The council will also develop relationships between Aboriginal communities, industry and government to implement practical measures for economic development.
• The Aboriginal Business and Investment Council board will be made up of eight representatives, including the chair, from business and Aboriginal communities.
• The chair has been appointed for a two-year term. As chair of the Aboriginal Business and Investment Council, he will also serve on the BC Jobs and Investment Board.
• Members will be selected for their understanding of business, Aboriginal cultures, relationship building and successful business models.
• Council members will serve for one year with a possible extension to two years at the invitation of the Premier or the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.