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LifeSciences BC Engaged in Provincial Election Science and technology play a critical role in our society and is a key element of our path to economic sustainability. With the recent provincial election and a new term for the Liberals, it is a critical time for our community to engage the provincial government such that a path can be set forward that firmly entrenches science and technology as a provincial priority. It is imperative that we collectively communicate this importance over the next month to key decision makers, and not allow science and technology to lose the attention of these decision makers amidst competing priorities or the impacts of the recession. Science and technology must be viewed as a provider of solutions; of new opportunities to further our common goals. Other governments are stepping up their investment in science. President Obama is doubling America’s basic science spending, dedicating 3% of the GDP to science and technology, and his economic stimulus package includes over $21 billion of one-off investments in federal research and development. Japan now has an ongoing spending target of 1% of GDP on science and technology. China has increased its higher education R&D spending four-fold from 1995-2004. Smaller economies are also following suit. We need to ensure that British Columbia is at the forefront of global innovation in science and technology, and as such LifeSciences BC will be actively working with our newly-elected government to ensure this becomes a reality. Premier Gordon Campbell Visits AMGEN BC April 5, 2009  Premier Campbell toured AMGEN BC's facilities recently, demonstrating his government's strong support of the life sciences industry. "Only WOW describes the creative people and great products developed at AMGEN BC in Burnaby,” he said of the visit. He is pictured here with Karimah Es Sabar, President of LifeSciences BC, John Babcook and Jim Favaro of AMGEN BC, John Nuraney MLA, and Richard Lee, MLA. Results of Genome Canada's Bioproducts and Crops Competition are announced in Saskatoon GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND GENOME CANADA INVEST IN APPLIED GENOMICS RESEARCH TO STRENGTHEN CANADA’S AGRICULTURE, CROP AND BIOPRODUCT SECTORS Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, April 20, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chairman of the Board of Genome Canada, today announced 12 new genomics and proteomics research projects in the areas of bioproducts and crops. "...In addition to creating and maintaining approximately 250 jobs in Canada, today’s announcement reinforces the important scientific advances that can be achieved through Genome Canada’s funding model. Leveraging government dollars through collaborative initiatives with other governments and partners maximizes our research capacity,” said Dr. Stiller. A list of the 12 projects funded through this competition is available on the Genome Canada website at www.genomecanada.ca. Read more LifeSciences BC Supports the Government of Canada's Investment in for Ocean Research in BC March 16, 2009 The Government of Canada has demonstrated strong support for the world-class research being performed at the University of Victoria with the creation of a new Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research. Oceans Network Canada Centre for Enterprise and Engagement was announced on March 16, 2009, and provides a platform for the management of two highly sophisticated underwater laboratories that provide unprecedented opportunities to the scientific and industrial communities. LifeSciences BC congratulates the government of BC and supports this and all investments into innovation and scientific excellence in British Columbia and Canada. VICTORIA, British Columbia, March 16, 2009— Andrew Saxton, MP for North Vancouver and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) today announced the establishment of the Oceans Network Canada Centre for Enterprise and Engagement, (ONCEE), a new Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR). Read more LifeSciences British Columbia Applauds Provincial Investment in Support of BC’s Bioenergy Sector Vancouver, British Columbia – On April 3, at Lignol Innovations in Burnaby, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that the provincial government will invest over $32.6 million in support of BC’s biofuel and clean technology development. As the industry association representing the province’s bioproducts and bioenergy sectors, LifeSciences BC strongly supports this decision, and congratulates the provincial government in taking action to help foster the growth of this critical sector. Read more In a separate announcement on March 19, 2009, a Lignol Innovations project was awarded $1.82 million in additional funding from Sustainable development Technology Canada. The project will result in the establishment of a world-class, integrated, industrial scale facility for the production of cellulosic ethanol and unique renewable biochemicals. LifeSciences BC is thrilled with government's strong support of the bioproducts and bioenergy sector. Read the release Pro-growth policies helped B.C. succeed Liberals reduced the impact of government on the economy, giving business room to expand By Niels Veldhuis and Charles Lammam, Special to the Sun April 27, 2009 In light of the economic recession and the provincial election, now is an important time for British Columbians to reflect on the policies that helped reverse British Columbia's dismal economic performance in the 1990s. While many wrongly dismiss the province's economic success from 2001 to 2007 as solely a function of external factors such as strong commodity prices and a booming real estate market, the reality is that important pro-growth policy initiatives introduced by the Liberals since 2001 that have contributed substantially to the turnaround. Many British Columbians, particularly young workers and recent migrants to the province, might not be aware that the 1990s is often considered a "lost decade" for B.C.'s economy. From 1990 to 2000, gross domestic product (GDP) per person grew by an average of only 0.6 per cent annually, the lowest growth rate among all Canadian provinces. Further, British Columbia's average income (GDP per person) plunged from $1,017 above the national average in 1990 to $3,036 lower than the national average at the end of the decade. In 2001, following this bleak decade marked by the interventionist economic policies enacted by successive NDP governments, a Liberal government was elected which enacted policies aimed at creating an economic environment that encouraged individuals and businesses to flourish. Read more |
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