Strategic Context

Planning and Strategic Issues

The Government’s Strategic Plan outlines government’s Five Great Goals to achieve government’s vision to be a prosperous and just province, whose citizens achieve their potential and have confidence in the future. The Office of the Premier sets the overall strategic direction that guides the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities undertaken across the public sector. The Office of the Premier oversees the coordination and monitoring of key activities and initiatives undertaken by ministries and Crown agencies to advance government’s priorities.

Achieving the Five Great Goals will require an unprecedented approach to cross ministry management and coordination of initiatives and activities. Two Cabinet Committees have been established; the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and the Economy and the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development to assist in integration and coordination. Government has also established the StrongStart BC Committee of Cabinet which is mandated to develop a long term, strategic framework to ensure that BC’s children, youth and families can benefit from the Five Great Goals.

Two Deputy Ministers’ Committees — the Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Natural Resources and the Economy and Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Social Development ensure that senior levels of the public service are working collaboratively. A permanent Deputy Ministers’ Policy Secretariat has been established to work on cross-government priorities.

Strategic Context

The public expects to be given a clear understanding of how government plans to achieve its goals and how government plans to report out on what it actually achieves. To communicate its priorities, government publishes an annual strategic plan. Each ministry and Crown agency publishes an annual three year service plan to inform the public and public service of their priorities and proposed activities, and an annual service plan report to report on progress.

BC citizens want an open and transparent government and want to be consulted on important issues. BC is one of the first provinces to take steps towards electoral reform. The Electoral Boundaries Commission is reviewing electoral boundaries and how constituencies would be organized in BC under a new Single Transferable Voting System.

Building a strong economy through responsible fiscal management balances the delivery of government services with affordability. The public rightly expects fiscal responsibility and expects accountability in managing the province’s assets. Government is legally bound to ensure a balanced budget, and be accountable through the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act and the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act.

British Columbia remains committed to sound fiscal management and public sector compensation that balances the need to appropriately compensate hard-working public sector workers with the need for wages to be affordable and sustainable. Many public sector contracts including those for health care workers, post secondary education workers, and the BC government public service are due for renewal in 2006.

There should not be a social and economic gap between Aboriginals and other British Columbians. The provincial government will be working with all governments to assist Aboriginal people to build capacity that will enable them to fully share in the province’s prosperity.

The work of government is ultimately influenced by many forces. These forces may be internal to BC (for example, society’s beliefs and expectations) or external (such as trade actions), controllable (priorities like early childhood development that can be assisted through programs) or uncontrollable (natural disasters). Within this context government manages in an increasingly complex environment. In considering key strategies to meet the needs of all British Columbians, and achieve each of the Five Great Goals, government recognizes that the people, economy and environment of the province are intrinsically linked and that each needs to be considered.

British Columbians

The people of BC are our most valued and dynamic resource. Government carefully considers the implications for individuals’ every day lives when it makes decisions. Government also considers how British Columbians are changing and what that means for the programs and services government creates and provides, and the way it interacts with the public.

The population of BC is aging, placing complex demands on our systems of support and health services. Building the best system of support in Canada for the vulnerable, whether they are disabled, have special needs, are children at risk or are seniors, is a great goal for our province. While BC residents are among the healthiest in Canada, ensuring adequate access to health care, and preventing illness by promoting healthy choices in the context of an aging society is critical.

BC’s actions to ensure British Columbia is the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent will assist British Columbians as our economy transforms from a primarily resource based economy to a knowledge based economy. Investment in education, post secondary education, research and development are crucial elements that will enable our province to compete globally in a knowledge based economy.

British Columbians are proud of their diverse population. People from the rest of Canada and around the world are attracted to BC for its access to key markets, technology, research and development programs and quality of life.

New British Columbians are an important asset. With four out of five immigrants coming from Asia, BC has a strong connection to the Asia-Pacific. This connection not only increases the multicultural nature of our province, it creates opportunities to build relationships, boost international trade and create investment opportunities.

British Columbia’s population is increasing in the lower mainland and near the Canada-US border, particularly in metropolitan areas, where economic growth in the service and manufacturing sectors is occurring. The movement of British Columbians from rural areas to larger population centres challenges communities in rural regions to maintain economic stability.

British Columbians want to live, work and learn in safety. A strong justice system and low crime levels is a foundation for a strong economy and healthy, safe environment. Public safety is challenged by theft, assaults, youth gangs, cyber-crime and the production and trafficking of drugs. The justice system is also becoming exceedingly complex. Advancing technology allows crime to cross borders and the multicultural nature of our society means the justice system must respond to complicated issues pertaining to family law, the civil court system and commercial and criminal law.

Economy

In recent years a more diversified BC economy has emerged. Services account for nearly three quarters of overall economic activity and the economy is now supported by a diverse array of sectors including tourism, film and high-technology, as well as resources. There are many areas of potential in the BC economy and opportunities to showcase the advantages of the province.

The Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe are the economic engines currently driving today’s world economy. British Columbia is Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific and with ports closer to China than those in the mainland US, BC can become a North American centre for Asia-Pacific trade. This advantage, coupled with an open trading economy, a strong multicultural society and our reputation as a renowned tourism and business destination means that BC is well positioned to build on its Asia-Pacific connections.

According to BC’s independent economic forecast council, the BC economy grew 3.8 per cent in 2005, stronger than the 3.3 per cent expected at the start of the year. This strong performance also meant that BC was ranked first in Canada in per capita job creation in 2005. The Council now expects BC’s strong economic performance to continue with growth of 3.6 per cent in 2006. Our challenge is to sustain strong growth in the economy and jobs, but there are pressures on our economy, for example:

• The booming construction market is straining under increased material costs;
• Many sectors are experiencing labour shortages;
• The cost of transportation and heating is increasing due to rising oil prices;
• The Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic will change our interior forest economy;
• The increase in the value of the Canadian dollar means it costs buyers in markets such as the US, more to purchase BC products; and
• Trade disputes such as softwood lumber affect our competitiveness.

There are also areas of ongoing strength and opportunity. Because of its sound fiscal policies and economic accomplishments, the province can invest in and strengthen its infrastructure of hospitals, schools, highways, railways and ports. These actions in turn, support and create more economic growth.

The forthcoming Olympics provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase BC to the world. British Columbia’s Olympic vision is to host the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and achieve, as a result, lasting economic, sport, cultural and social legacies that will benefit communities throughout BC.

The open nature of the BC economy also means that government has to be cognizant of the risks associated with international travel, the movement of goods and services and the lack of respect for borders of pests and disease. The complexity of controlling and dealing with illnesses such as HIV/Aids, SARs and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), Avian Influenza, and the West Nile Virus is cause for serious concern for government. The spread of such diseases not only poses health risks but can be extremely damaging to BC’s economy. Emergency preparedness planning for these issues and other natural disasters such as earthquakes is well underway. Indeed, when we look out at the world and remember what other parts of the globe have experienced by way of natural disasters in recent years there is much to be grateful for. It also reminds us why we are taking steps such as improving tsunami warnings for the Coast, undertaking seismic upgrading for schools and hospitals, being prepared in the event of an influenza pandemic and improving our general emergency preparedness.

Environment

British Columbia is globally acknowledged as one of the most beautiful parts of the world. We have many unique ecosystems and dramatic geography. BC has taken steps to preserve these special features for our children, grandchildren and visitors. According to the BC Progress Board, in 2003, BC ranked first in Canada for the percentage of landbase protected from industrial activity. Thirteen per cent of the area of the province is protected from industrial use.

Globally, the environment we live in is changing. Sustainable management will be required to ensure the precious availability of clean water and air, protection of species at risk, and that climate change implications are managed.

Developing strategies and taking action today will help secure a healthy, sustainable environment for British Columbia. BC’s goal is to lead the world in sustainable environmental management and attain the best air and water quality bar none.