April 2005 Events

ELECTION CALLED FOR MAY 17TH

PREMIER'S STATEMENT ON SELECTION OF NEW POPE

VICTORIA — Premier Gordon Campbell issued the following statement today in response to the election of a new Pope:

PREMIER'S TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL RELEASES SEVENTH REPORT

VICTORIA — The Premier's Technology Council (PTC) released its seventh report today, noting the progress that has been made in advancing B.C.'s technology competitiveness since 2001.

B.C. LEADS THE WAY IN REWARDING LITERACY IN CANADA

VICTORIA — British Columbia is calling for nominations for a new national award recognizing outstanding achievements in literacy. The guiding principles for the award, which will be presented annually in every province and territory, were drafted by the Province.

$8.4 MILLION TO BUILD FOREST MARKETS AND PRODUCTS

PRINCE GEORGE — Investing $8.4 million this year to expand international markets for B.C.'s forest products will help keep the economic benefits of forestry flowing to all British Columbians, said Premier Gordon Campbell today.

KEY ROLE FOR UNBC IN NORTHERN CANCER STRATEGY

PRINCE GEORGE — An investment of $1.3 million in the University of Northern British Columbia will assist Northern Health in reducing the incidence of cancer and improving survival rates for northern residents, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES INCREASED PINE BEETLE FUNDS FOR NDI

PRINCE GEORGE — The Province is providing an additional $50 million in funding for the Northern Development Initiative, including $30 million specifically aimed at helping communities respond to the mountain pine beetle infestation, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

PROVINCE INVESTS IN NORTHERN SPORTS CENTRE

PRINCE GEORGE — The B.C. government is contributing $20.5 million in provincial funding toward making the Northern Sport Centre at the University of Northern B.C. a reality, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

GOVERNMENT, UBC PARTNER ON CAMPUS RENEWAL

VANCOUVER — The University of British Columbia and the Province of British Columbia today announced a $120-million funding partnership to upgrade the aging buildings of B.C.'s largest university.

NEW SENIORS COUNCIL CHAIR NAMED, NOMINATIONS TO OPEN

VANCOUVER — Dr. Patricia Baird, one of North America's leading authorities on health and public policy, will chair the new Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors' Issues, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

CREATIVE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

VANCOUVER — The recipients of the first annual British Columbia Creative Achievement Awards were recognized today by Premier Gordon Campbell in a presentation ceremony at The Studios at Shaw Tower.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW NANAIMO ICE CENTRE

NANAIMO — The Province is providing nearly $8.5 million to fund the new Nanaimo Ice Centre creating new economic, tourism and sport opportunities in the community, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

NEW STRATEGY TO IMPROVE CAPACITY ON CARIBOO CONNECTOR

WILLIAMS LAKE — Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon today announced $200 million for the first phase of a project to four-lane the entire length of Highway 97 between Prince George and Cache Creek.

SFU SCORES FUNDS TO DEVELOP ATHLETIC CENTRE AND STADIUM

BURNABY — A provincial investment of $20 million will help Simon Fraser University (SFU) continue its tradition of athletic excellence with the construction of a new athletic centre and stadium, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

BROADBAND EXPANSION SPELLS OPPORTUNITY FOR B.C.

VANCOUVER — As part of its plan to make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent and to take full advantage of infrastructure spending, the Province is partnering with TELUS to bring broadband access points to 366 B.C. communities by the end of 2006, Premier Gordon Campbell and TELUS president and CEO Darren Entwistle announced today.

PROVINCE SUPPORTS 2010 SPEED SKATING OVAL IN RICHMOND

RICHMOND — The Province is providing $30 million toward the Olympic speed skating oval in Richmond that will be a centrepiece for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and provide a lasting legacy for B.C. athletes of all levels, Premier Gordon Campbell announced at a groundbreaking facility for the project today.

TASK FORCE TO GUIDE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY & POWER STRATEGY

BURNABY — Premier Gordon Campbell released a new provincial strategy today to unleash the environmental, economic and job creation potential of the alternative energy and power technology industry in B.C. He also named the co-chairs of a new task force to advise government on the strategy's implementation.

PROVINCE HELPS BUILD OKANAGAN COMMUNITY LEGACIES

KELOWNA — The Province will contribute $16.2 million to two community infrastructure projects in Kelowna and Penticton to help create new economic opportunities and enduring legacies for young athletes, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

SOUTHERN INTERIOR DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED

KELOWNA — A new $50-million Southern Interior Development Initiative will give communities in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions the funding, control and ability to create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and more jobs, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES REGIONAL INNOVATION CHAIRS

ABBOTSFORD — Premier Gordon Campbell today announced the province and B.C.'s Leading Edge Endowment Fund have reached approval-in-principle for three permanent B.C. Regional Innovation Chairs. The chairs will focus on Canada-India Business and Economic Development at the University College of the Fraser Valley, Sport and Health at Camosun College and Reservoir Ecology at the Okanagan University College.

PREMIER'S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

VICTORIA — Premier Gordon Campbell released the following statement today in response to the passing of Pope John Paul II.

PROGRAM TO HELP SCHOOLS BECOME CENTRES OF COMMUNITIES

VANCOUVER — The Province is launching a $10-million program to help make schools centres for community activities and services, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today at the annual general meeting of the B.C. School Trustees' Association.

PREMIER ANNOUNCES ISLAND-COAST DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

COURTENAY — A new $50-million North Island — Coast Development Initiative will give communities on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast the funding, control and ability to create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth and more jobs, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

PREMIER'S AWARDS RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING B.C. ATHLETES

VANCOUVER — The Province honoured 76 of British Columbia's top athletes for their outstanding achievements in sport and provided $50,000 in funding for the new B.C. Sports Hall of Fame exhibit, the 2000s Gallery — Road to the Olympics, at the annual Premier's Athletic Awards ceremony, John Les, minister responsible for sport announced today.

PROVINCE BACKS CAMPBELL RIVER CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

COURTENAY — The Province is providing an additional $3.75 million toward the planned cruise ship terminal in Campbell River to help expand B.C.'s share of the cruise market and boost tourism on northern Vancouver Island, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

PROVINCE INVESTS IN COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION FUND

COURTENAY — The Province is providing a $5-million grant to the Union of BC Municipalities to help kick start local government involvement in building healthier communities throughout the province, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.