REGIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2005 – Revised 2007) It is a well-known fact that the economic advantage Canada has in a global economy is through knowledge. The future of our knowledge in process efficiency and discovery of new knowledge enable us to outperform our competition even though global competition may have lower labour costs. Michael Porter and many other leading economists echo these sentiments in study after study.
The provincial government has put an emphasis on maintaining this advantage. The Premier has spent much time supporting the BC biotechnology and forest technology industries internationally. In addition, the continued support of the Premier’s Technology Council has sent a clear message that technology is important to the province. In fact the Premier’s website states “The Premier's Technology Council believes that with strong co-operation between the provincial government and private enterprise, BC will be one of the world's top 10 technology centres.”
Over the last few years, the provincial government has made many changes to the science and technology support networks. Funding for a BC biotechnology group for international development has made a significant impact for that sector.
Development of such beneficial supports has not been received province-wide. Funding of independent regional technology councils (with volunteer boards) that provide much-needed resources to developing technology and networking opportunities for community technology development such as Premier Technology Council meetings, CEO Roundtables, exporting, and accessing capital etc., have been reduced in support. Indeed, last year alone, the Councils received an average reduction of funding of 14%, and the Northwest Science and Innovation Society is running with no funding from the province. The result has been an inability of regional BC technology firms to add to the provincial technology sector.
A recent study, “Promoting Innovation & Commercialization of Scientific Research & Technological Advances in Rural BC,” (also known as the PIC Report) was commissioned by Western Diversification. Among the recommendations was Technology Centre support being integral to the continued contribution of technology outside of the Lower Mainland.
The current situation is such that support for science and technology development through the province is not evenly proportioned. Regional councils were set up to allow local empowerment as well as enhance efficiency of use of taxpayer funds. Unfortunately, recent changes to BC Innovation Council have centralized the support without understanding of local needs. To that end proportional regional representation is needed to produce a truly provincial technology network.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the provincial government:
1. restore funding levels to each of the six Regional Councils to 1995 levels;
2. allocate proportional regional representation on the Premier’s Technology Council;
3. have proportional representation on the board of directors of the BC Innovation Council; and
4. amend the Small Business Venture Capital Act, allocating an additional minimum of $7 million of tax credits annually, solely available to qualifying businesses that have head offices outside the Lower Mainland and Capital Regional District areas.
