BC Gov News

Premier's 2015 travel costs

In 2015, Premier Christy Clark led a trade mission of more than 200 business and community delegates to China to celebrate the 20th anniversary of British Columbia’s sister-province agreement with Guangdong and to promote B.C. technology and manufacturing companies, which are well positioned to meet China’s growing need for alternative energy and clean technology solutions.

China trade mission costs:

Lead: Premier Clark

Countries: China

Duration: Nine days (Oct. 30-Nov. 7)

Cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong

Travel costs, official delegation: $36,850

Travel costs, support staff: $23,206

Ground Transportation: $12,862

Visas: $525

Meetings and hosted functions: $176,101*

Gifting: $7,139**

Interpreter/translation: $32,508

Total mission costs: $289,191

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

*This is the net cost of meetings and hosted functions after applying $132,838 in private sponsorships.

** These costs include a jade carving that was presented by Premier Clark to Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the B.C.-Guangdong sister-province relationship. This gift demonstrates the work of B.C. artisans.                               

China trade mission highlights:

• In total, 45 events and signings took place across a variety of sectors, demonstrating the diversification that is taking place in B.C.’s trade relationship with China.
• Preliminary estimates show that this mission’s activities could bring an estimated $1.4 billion in trade and investment into the B.C. economy. For example, China-based Reignwood Aviation Co. and Viking Air signed an agreement valued at $350 million that makes Viking Air the exclusive representative of the Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft in Greater China and Burnaby-based Ballard Power Systems signed an agreement with CRRC Tangshan Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd., to provide fuel cell solution services valued at $3 million.
• Premier Christy Clark met with Guangdong Governor Zhu Xiaodan to celebrate the 20th anniversary of British Columbia’s sister-province agreement with the Province of Guangdong – one of the key objectives of this mission.
• More than 200 business representatives and community members joined Premier Clark on this mission, making it one of the largest delegations in B.C. history.
• One of the signings included a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between British Columbia and the Province of Guangdong that identifies climate change and low carbon development as areas of future cooperation.

Learn More:

For more details on Premier Clark’s trade mission to China, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/trade-mission-to-china

For a complete list of announcements from Premier Clark’s trade mission to China, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BACKGROUNDER-China_Trade_Mission_Events_and_Signings.pdf

For more information about B.C. trade and investment opportunities visit: http://www.britishcolumbia.ca/

Learn more about the BC Jobs Plan at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

Minister's 2015 travel costs

In 2015, former minister of education Peter Fassbender led a trade mission to China and Japan to promote and expand international education. During the mission, the minister met with municipal and national education representatives, as well as B.C. offshore school operators/owners in Beijing and Tokyo.

Trade Mission Costs:

Lead: Former minister of education Peter Fassbender

Countries: China and Japan

Duration: 5 days (May 29-June 4)

Cities: Beijing, Tokyo 

Travel costs, official delegation: $18,027

Travel costs, support staff: $38,094

Meetings and hosted functions: $3,576

Gifting: $1,151

Interpreter/translation: $9,022

Total mission costs: $69,870

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

Mission to Asia Highlights:

• The signing of education sector Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in China with the National Ministry of Education, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Education.
• The signing of a Memorandum of Co-operation with the national Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan.
• The announcement of a $150,000 British Columbia International Education Scholarship Program for Chinese, Japanese and South Korean international students studying in B.C.
• The announcement of a $25,000 scholarship envelope for up to 50 British Columbia-China Awards for Excellence in Chinese for B.C. students studying Chinese in high schools. This is a jointly-funded scholarship by the Ministry of Education and the Education Office of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver.
• Celebration of the 20th anniversary of Maple Leaf Education Systems, the first B.C. offshore school provider in China.
• The official opening of the Bunka Suginami Canadian International School, the first B.C. offshore school in Japan.
• The minister also met with students and school administrators at Sino Bright No. 8 in Beijing and Bunka Suginami Canadian International School in Tokyo on his tours of the schools.

Learn More:

https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2013-2017/2015EDUC0040-000876.htm

https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/education-mission-to-bolster-ties-with-china-and-japan

Minister’s 2015 travel costs

In 2015, Finance Minister Michael de Jong went on five investor relations tours to the United States, Europe, Asia and Central Canada. On these trips, the minister met with international investors and key government officials to promote B.C.’s stable economic story, triple-A credit rating, Canada’s role as a Renminbi (RMB) trade hub and investment opportunities such as LNG and British Columbia bonds.

London Mission Travel Costs:

Lead: Minister of Finance Michael de Jong

Countries: England

Duration: Five days (Feb. 27-March 3)

Cities: London

Travel costs, official delegation: $7,792

Travel costs, support staff: $3,107

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $10,899

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

U.S. and Canada Mission Travel Costs:

Lead: Minister of Finance Michael de Jong

Countries: United States, Canada

Duration: Five days (April 6-10)

Cities: New York, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago

Travel costs, official delegation: $8,181

Travel costs, support staff: $7,068

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $15,249

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

Europe Mission Travel Costs:

Lead: Minister of Finance Michael de Jong

Countries: Netherlands, France, Greece

Duration: 10 days (May 1-10)

Cities: Amsterdam, Paris, Athens

Travel costs, official delegation: $10,699

Travel costs, support staff: $5,174

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $15,873

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

Malaysia Mission Travel Costs:

Lead: Minister of Finance Michael de Jong

Countries: Malaysia

Duration: Eight days (July 25-Aug. 1)

Cities: Kuala Lumpur

Travel costs, official delegation: $12,727

Travel costs, support staff: N/A

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: $330

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $13,057

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

Asia Mission Travel Costs:

Lead: Minister of Finance Michael de Jong

Countries: China, India

Duration: 12 days (Dec. 2-13)

Cities: Beijing, New Delhi, Mumbai

Travel costs, official delegation: $19,542

Travel costs, support staff: $6,636

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: $4,817

Total mission costs: $30,995

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.      

London and U.S./Canada Mission Highlights – Feb. 27-March 3, 2015, April 6-10, 2015:

• The minister met with local financial communities in England, the U.S. and Canada to promote B.C’s triple-A credit rating, history of consecutive balanced budgets and investment opportunities, such as LNG.
• In England, the minister discussed how the Province can learn from London’s experience as a designated RMB trade hub.

Europe Mission Highlights – May 1-10, 2015:

• During stops in Europe, de Jong met with international investors to discuss B.C.’s favourable economic story and promote investment opportunities including B.C. bonds, LNG and the maritime shipping industry.
• While in the Netherlands, the minister represented B.C. in Canada’s official delegation to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
• In October 2015, government issued a Euro bond that raised €500 million (about C$750 million) and attracted a diverse group of investors, including many organizations the minister and staff met on investor tours.

Malaysia Mission Highlights – July 25-Aug. 1, 2015:

• The minister met with key government officials to discuss the ratification of a project agreement with Pacific NorthWest LNG, and the project’s implications for enhanced bilateral trade.
• If the project proceeds, Pacific NorthWest LNG will make an estimated $36 billion investment to build an LNG plant on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert, creating an anticipated 4,500 jobs at peak construction and hundreds of long-term operational and spinoff jobs.
• The B.C. government continues to explore trade and investment opportunities with Malaysia

Asia Mission Highlights – Dec. 2-5, 2015, Dec. 7-13, 2015:

• While meeting with government officials and financial institutions in Beijing, de Jong announced B.C. was the first sovereign government to receive approval to establish a Panda bond program in China’s domestic bond market. The six billion RMB program gives the Province unparalleled access to one of the largest capital markets in the world and a new, diverse group of investors. Subsequently, in January 2016, B.C. issued its first Panda bond – a three-year bond that yielded 2.95% and raised three billion RMB (about C$665 million).
• The minister met with industry and government representatives in India to explore how B.C.’s success in China’s bond markets can be replicated in the Indian Rupee bond market.  
• India is one of the world’s fastest-growing emerging economies, and the minister discussed opportunities to enhance business and investment partnerships, and how the Province can help fulfill India’s growing demand for sustainably-sourced wood.

Minister’s 2015 travel costs

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 7, 2015, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson led a delegation of more than 30 forestry executives to Japan and China.

Annual forestry trade missions to Asia are a cornerstone of the joint provincial-federal-industry market development efforts in Asia. Strong relationships are important to maintaining and growing Asian markets. China and Japan are British Columbia’s two largest offshore markets for softwood lumber products.

Trade Mission Costs:

Lead: Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson

Countries: Japan, China

Duration: Seven days (Nov. 27-Dec. 7)

Cities: Tokyo, Beijing, Dalian

Travel, official delegation: $20,177

Travel, support staff: $44,165*

Meetings and hosted functions: $37,309

Gifting: $3,311

Total mission costs: $104,962

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.     

*Includes costs for Forestry Innovation Investment China staff.

Highlights in Japan:

• Site tour of the Hanahata Asuaken Midply project. The five-storey future elderly care facility will be Japan’s largest building from 2x4 wood frame construction once completed.
  • Midply uses oriented strandboard nailed between 2x4’s to make a shear wall, which is resistant to earthquakes. Midply was pioneered by FPInnovations and the University of British Columbia.
• Promoted the use of western red cedar by visiting Tokyu Corporation’s latest high-profile development, and encouraged the company to use Canadian wood products again in future projects.
• Opened BC Wood’s new showroom in Tokyo.
• Met with the new executive of the Japan 2x4 Home Builders Association to reinforce B.C.’s commitment to the Japanese market and to continue the long-standing and productive working relationship with the Association.
• Met with recently appointed Ministry of Land, Industry and Trade officials to raise awareness about Canada’s contributions and commitments in advancing environmentally sustainable and innovative building systems.

Highlights in China:

• Renewed a five-year memorandum of understanding with China’s National Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development to promote wood-frame construction in China.
• Participated in the Sino-Canada Wood Conference, which was attended by over 300 Chinese importers.
• Renewed two memoranda of understanding with two different departments of the Shanghai Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Administration Commission to promote wood-frame construction technology as a green building technology.
• Met with China Society for Urban Studies to discuss advancing wood frame construction in China.
• Tour of the Quacent pre-fabricated homebuilder facility in Dalian which uses oriented strandboard from Canada to make structural insulated panels used in pre-fab homes.  
• Tour of the Longhua furniture facility in Dalian, a large manufacturer of wood panels and landscaping products.

Learn More:

News releases and photos from the 2015 Forestry Asia Trade Mission are online:  https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/2015-forestry-trade-mission-to-asia

Ministers' 2015 travel costs

Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat travelled on a trade mission to China and Indonesia in the spring of 2015. Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson joined Wat on the China portion of the trade mission.

Wat also travelled to China and Vietnam in the fall of 2015, joining Premier Christy Clark for the China leg of the trade mission.

On these trips, Wat expanded British Columbia’s relationships with China’s mid-sized cities, promoted B.C.’s quickly growing technology, agrifoods and seafood sectors and made important connections in the Southeast Asian region, which has some of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

As part of the spring 2015 mission, Wilkinson led a delegation of senior executives from four public post-secondary institutions with the goal of strengthening existing relationships between China and British Columbia and establishing new ones to expand education collaboration.

China, Indonesia trade mission costs:

Lead:  Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat and Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson

Countries: China (Wat and Wilkinson), Indonesia (Wat)

Duration: Wat: 13 days (March 28-April 9); Wilkinson: 12 days (March 27-April 7)

Cities: Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Jakarta

Travel costs, official delegation: $51,953

Travel costs, support staff: $34,123

Ground transportation: $3,538

Meetings and hosted functions: $41,104

Gifting: $3,606

Interpreter/translation: $30,315

Total mission costs: $164,639

China, Vietnam trade mission costs:

Lead: Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Teresa Wat

Countries: China, Vietnam

Duration: 13 days (Oct. 30-Nov. 11)

Cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh

Travel costs, official delegation: $30,438

Travel costs, support staff: $18,896

Ground transportation: $5,810

Visas: $868

Meetings and hosted functions: $6,992

Gifting: $790

Interpreter/translation: $9,910
Total mission costs: $73,704

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

China, Indonesia trade mission highlights:

• Wat witnessed the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) with the Zhejiang Department of Commerce that focused on exploring the potential for advancing trade and investment between British Columbia and Zhejiang Province.
• In Nanjing, Jiangsu, Wat signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Jiangsu Economic Informatization Technology Commission to expand two-way economic collaboration promotion between the two jurisdictions.
• Meetings took place in Nanjing and Shenzhen with leading technology and life sciences companies to open doors for B.C. companies doing business in this sector.
• In Jakarta, Wat and Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia, Donald Bobiash, held a roundtable with Canadian business leaders active in Indonesia to discuss opportunities and challenges of doing business there.
• Wat met with the Salim Group, one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates, which is exploring new business opportunities in North America.  Salim Group engages in a variety of sectors, some of which include: food manufacturing, agribusiness, distribution and retail, telecommunications, real estate, financial services and international trade. Wat encouraged the company to consider B.C. as its gateway to the North American Free Trade Agreement market.
• Wat toured the Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mill owned by Asia Pulp and Paper and met with executives of Paper Excellence Group and Sinar Mas Group to discuss additional investment opportunities in B.C.  Paper Excellence operates three pulp mills in British Columbia and, in 2013, moved its headquarters from Europe to Richmond. 
• Wilkinson announced $130,000 in provincial funding to BCIT, Langara College, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia to support development of scholarship programs with education partners in China. The funds were matched by the B.C. institutions, Chinese post-secondary institutions, the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission and Mitacs, a non-profit research organization, for a total of almost $1.4 million to support more than 300 scholarships, benefiting both B.C. and Chinese students.
• The B.C. Government signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education and a refreshed MOU with the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education. The MOUs promote two-way educational exchange between jurisdictions.
• Wilkinson met with Zongshen Industry Group (ZIG) in Chongqing, which is building a college that will offer trades and vocational training programs similar to those at BCIT. ZIG and BCIT signed an MOU during the trade mission to China in 2013 led by Premier Christy Clark.
• Participating B.C. public post-secondary institutions also signed agreements with partners to collaborate in areas such as computing science, materials engineering, applied research, teacher training and to facilitate pathways to post-secondary education in B.C.

China, Vietnam trade mission highlights:

• Wat joined Premier Clark on the trade mission to China, which focused on celebrating the 20th anniversary of B.C.’s sister-province agreement with China.
• In total, 45 events and signings took place on this mission, with estimates showing that this mission’s activities could bring an estimated $1.4 billion in trade and investment into the B.C. economy.
• Wat’s mission to Vietnam marked the first time a B.C. trade minister had visited that country and came on the heels of the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
• In Ho Chi Minh City, Wat promoted B.C. agrifoods and seafood products, and participated in a cooking demonstration with Vancouver Chef Nathan Fong at the Canadian Food Festival.
• Wat’s time in Ho Chi Minh City also included meetings with major Vietnamese buyers and investors, which helped bolster B.C.’s educational ties in Vietnam.

Learn More:

News release of results of Wat’s trade mission to China and Indonesia: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/bc-expanding-trade-network-in-china-and-indonesia

News release of results of Wilkinson’s trade mission: ttps://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/mission-to-china-builds-new-opportunities-for-students

For photos from the China and Indonesia trade mission, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157634051576760/

For more details on the results of Premier Clark’s and Wat’s trade mission to China and Vietnam, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/trade-mission-to-china

For a complete list of announcements from Premier Clark’s and Wat’s trade mission to China, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BACKGROUNDER-China_Trade_Mission_Events_and_Signings.pdf

Minister's 2015 travel expenses

In 2015, Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, travelled on three trips to promote liquefied natural gas (LNG) and to strengthen business relationships with global LNG proponents.

Kuala Lumpur trade mission costs:

Lead: Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman

Country: Malaysia

Duration: Seven days (March 25-31)

Cities: Kuala Lumpur

Travel costs, official delegation: $16,234

Travel costs, support staff: $8,524

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $24,758

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

Houston Mission Costs:

Lead: Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman

Countries: United States

Duration: Three days (April 20-22)

Cities: Houston

Travel costs, official delegation: $2,050

Travel costs, support staff: $9,786

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $11,835

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

Singapore Mission Costs:

Lead: Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman

Countries: Singapore

Duration: Seven days (Oct. 23-29)

Cities: Singapore

Travel costs, official delegation: $28,548

Travel costs, support staff: $43,911

Meetings and hosted functions: $53,154 for participation in B.C.-Canada Pavilion

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Other: N/A

Cancellation fees – Japan: N/A

Total mission costs: $125,613

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.

Houston trade mission highlights:

• In Houston, Coleman participated in CERAWeek, an annual international gathering of energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers hosted by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates. The  minister took part in a number of strategic dialogues including Low Energy Prices: Opportunity or Challenge for the Global LNG Industry, Canada’s role in the rising North America energy powerhouse and the Canada Energy Opportunities Roundtable.
• During CERAWeek, Coleman also had the opportunity to meet with senior executives from many of the proponents involved in LNG projects in B.C., including Chevron, Shell, ExxonMobil and BG Group.

Kuala Lumpur trade mission highlights:

• In Kuala Lumpur, Coleman met with the incoming CEO Datuk Wan Zulkiflee and the outgoing CEO Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas from PETRONAS, the majority owner of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project.

Singapore trade mission highlights:

• In Singapore, Coleman participated in Gastech 2015, the world’s largest gas event that connects 22,000 energy professionals from the natural gas and LNG supply chain. Coleman was a key participant during the Spotlight on Canada session and delivered a speech entitled, Global Opportunities for LNG in B.C.
• During Gastech, Coleman also had the opportunity to meet with senior executives from many of the proponents backing LNG projects in B.C., including PETRONAS, China Huadian Green Energy, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Pacific Oil and Gas.
• Coleman also had the opportunity to meet with companies interested in investing in British Columbia, such as E.ON, to explore future opportunities and advantages in B.C.’s natural gas industry. He also met with key officials such as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Energy, Minister Michel Samson, the High Commissioner for Canada to Singapore, Heather Grant, and former deputy prime minister of Canada and former premier of Quebec Jean Charest.
• In addition to Coleman, seven ministry staff managed the trade show booth at Gastech 2015 and provided the minister with technical support, scheduled commitments and travel.

Minister's 2015 travel expenses

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk completed a trio of three-day trips to Philadelphia, Santa Clara and San Francisco to promote British Columbia as a destination for technology investment, research and partnership opportunities.

Trade mission costs:

Lead: Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk

Countries: United States

Duration: Three days in Santa Clara (May 14-16), three days in Philadelphia (June 14-16), and three days in San Francisco (Sept. 28-30)

Cities: Santa Clara, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Travel costs, official delegation: $5,604

Travel costs, support staff: $4,926

Meetings and hosted functions: N/A

Gifting: N/A

Interpreter/translation: N/A

Total mission costs: $10,530

Note: Travel costs include all transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses.     

U.S. trade mission highlights:

• Virk participated in meetings with senior company executives and represented B.C. at the BIO2015 International Conference in Philadelphia where he met executives of high-growth tech companies, ambassadors and consuls general representing countries focused on entrepreneurship, business and technology.
• Attended the TiEcon conference in Santa Clara where Virk met with senior industry executives of life sciences and biotechnology companies to discuss how B.C. can expand research and development, innovation and commercialization to other jurisdictions and attract investment.
• Virk participated in discussions with technology industry executives and city officials in San Francisco to discuss the many benefits of investing and working in B.C.’s technology sector.