Premier’s office summarizes throne speech

Throne speech focuses on British Columbia’s future.

Office of the Premier.

The second session of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia was launched today with a speech from the throne that emphasized the steps government will take to propel British Columbia’s Olympic momentum to create jobs, improve the environment and support families with children.

“In the year ahead we will build on our Olympic momentum with action that will reward the generations that follow,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “We must ask how we can best lead change for our grandchildren’s advantage. New support for families with children is at the centre of our economic and social agenda. We will initiate new supports for families with children that will increase productivity, enhance competitiveness and give parents new choices. Government will take steps to expand opportunities for three- and four-year-old play schools and renew and revitalize education. New measures will encourage healthy lifestyles and secure, affordable health care.”

“A new budget will set the foundation for the province we want in 2030, with a far-seeing agenda that advances this government’s Five Great Goals,” said Premier Campbell. “Our government’s economic mission is clear: We must foster job creation with faster approvals, lower costs, open trade and labour mobility. Productivity and competitiveness are the keys to growing people’s paycheques and re-asserting our role as Canada’s job-creation leader.”

As balancing the budget is both a financial and social imperative, government will look for new ways to meet the needs of citizens within the substantial spending increases already provided to critical government services including health and education. The throne speech highlights a number of initiatives to strengthen B.C.’s economy and provide more support for British Columbia families: