The B.C. government has launched the Emerging Economy Task Force to find ways for the province to advance in innovation and technology.
This 14-member group is identifying what factors will affect economic growth and how they can capitalize on the future.
Minister of Jobs Trades and Technology, Bruce Ralston, says the resource sector is changing and B.C. has to make sure they can adapt.
“Technology and innovation are impacting B.C., not just on the Lower Mainland, but in all our communities and all our industries. For example, the forest industry around Prince George is very different then it was 20 years ago and I suspect it will look very different again in another 20 years.”
“B.C.’s industries must adopt new technology and innovation or be left behind,” added Ralston. “It’s a significant endeavor but far from impossible. B.C will take this one step further by ensuring our that our that our future includes not just economic growth, but social and environmental progress as well.”
The government is anticipating 917,000 new jobs will be created by 2027, of those, 9 per cent will be science and technology, and 11 per cent will be in the trades.
The task force will begin work this summer and provide an interim report this fall. A final report will be made public spring 2019.
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