Inaugural Issue 

Welcome to the inaugural issue of a-news, the Newsletter of the B.C. Alumni Ambassadors Network. A-news is designed to connect you with us, and each other. We want to provide you with some snapshots of recent developments here in B.C. while seeking opportunities to leverage your international presence as B.C’s Ambassadors in business, trade and investment attraction around the globe.

We want to hear from you - your comments, suggestions and advice. Please stay connected.

The B.C. Alumni Ambassadors Network Team
bcalumni@gov.bc.ca
www.bcalumni.ca
 

News about B.C. ...

B.C. Continues to Support Clean Energy Innovation

In November, the Province announced $10 million to support the production of liquid biofuels. Funding will go towards development and commercialization of biofuel production technologies that provide significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum-based fuels. This could include converting mountain pine beetle killed wood into ethanol for use as low-carbon transportation fuel, turning the challenges of the mountain pine beetle infestation into new economic opportunities for British Columbians.

To date Premier Gordon Campbell has also announced $50 million in funding under the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund. This funding builds on the government's goals of energy self-sufficiency by 2016 and reducing greenhouse gas emission by 33 percent by 2020. Funded projects will help to position B.C. as a world leader in alternative energy and power technology by showcasing B.C. technologies to the world and fostering solutions to climate change.

In July, 2008 Lignol Innovations, a Burnaby company, received $1.96 million in funding through the ICE fund. Lignol produces cellulose ethanol from mountain pine beetle killed trees and plans to use the ICE funding to develop and commercialize its unique processing technology. Lignol’s process is widely regarded as one of the most promising cellulosic ethanol solutions under development.
 

B.C. Builds Long-Term Employment Relations with the Philippines

B.C. held its first Job Fair in Quezon City, Metro Manila on October 7, 2008. The event was hosted by the Philippines Overseas Employment Agency, an agency of the Philippine Department of Labour and Employment, and provided Filipinos with the opportunity to explore employment opportunities in B.C. hospitality, tourism, and transportations industries.

The Job Fair was part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by the Province and the Philippine government in early 2008 to address the shortage of skilled workers in British Columbia.

The MOU will facilitate the recruitment of Philippine workers to fill positions in industries experiencing labour shortages. It is seen as a first step in strengthening relations between B.C. employers and Philippine recruiters, by ensuring that both parties are aware of current employment opportunities in the Province. In addition, the Provincial government will continue to work with B.C. employers to increase awareness of immigration options for recruiting workers to B.C. and to assist in navigating the temporary foreign worker process.

Currently, B.C. needs to attract over 30,000 workers from outside of British Columbia in order to meet labour demands, and the Republic of the Philippines is the third largest source of immigrants to the Province.
 

B.C. Leading the Way in Climate Action

Global warming is the challenge of our generation and B.C. is taking decisive action to ensure that our responses pave the way for a positive and prosperous future. Since 2007 we have built a solid framework that addresses climate action in four key ways:

B.C. has entrenched greenhouse gas reduction targets in law, including a commitment to reduce B.C.'s emissions by one-third by 2020.

The Province is taking targeted action in all sectors of the B.C. economy to help reduce emissions and set the course for the new low-carbon economy of the future.

We are taking steps to help British Columbians adapt to the realities of climate change and its impact on our province.
We've begun to educate and engage British Columbians, including holding public forums and developing our LiveSmart BC initiative to support B.C. to make cleaner choices and help build a new low-carbon economy.  

Microsoft’s Development Centre Expands

Microsoft expanded its Richmond, B.C. development centre in September, hiring 300 talented software developers from around the world. The new jobs reflect the demands of B.C.'s growing technology sector. The centre will contribute to Microsoft's global competitiveness and provide economic benefits to both B.C. and Canada.

BC Export Awards 2008

On Nov. 21 the B.C. Government, in partnership with the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters B.C. division, hosted the 26th annual BC Export Awards ceremony. The BC Export Awards recognized eleven B.C. companies and business leaders for their outstanding achievements throughout the year.

This year Day4 Energy was presented with the Exporter of the Year award, as well as the Advancing Technologies award. Day4 Energy Inc. is a Vancouver-based solar energy company formed in 2001 to revolutionize solar power use in industrial, commercial, utility, and residential power generation. Day4 is dedicated to producing affordable and efficient photovoltaic (PV) solutions that will enable PV systems to grow to occupy a significant part of the world's electrical generation infrastructure.

The BC Export Awards ceremony acknowledges how exporters contribute to B.C.'s economic growth and development. Export Development Canada forecasts B.C. exports to grow four per cent in 2009.

The winners of the 2008 Awards were:

Exporter of the Year

• Day4 Energy, Inc., Burnaby, www.day4energy.com

Leadership

• Mr. Barry Lapointe (of Kelowna Flightcraft), Kelowna, www.flightcraft.ca

Advancing Technologies

• Day4 Energy, Inc., Burnaby, www.day4energy.com

New Exporter

• BioteQ Environmental Technologies Inc, Vancouver, www.bioteq.ca

Consumer Products

• Donald's Fine Foods, Richmond, www.donaldsfinefoods.com

Manufacturing Products

• Aluminum Curtainwall Systems, Inc., Kamloops, www.acsinc.ca

New Media & Entertainment

• Next Level Games, Inc, Vancouver, www.nextlevelgames.com

Primary Products & Resources

• SPF Precut Lumber, Port Moody, www.spfprecut.ca

Professional & Services

• Energold Drilling Corp., Vancouver, www.energold.com

Sustainability

• Domtar Corp., Kamloops, www.domtar.com

International Business Studies Award

• Annalea Krebs, Victoria, recent graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce program from Royal Roads University

Published by The BC Alumni Ambassadors Network Team, Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development

Visit us at our Website: www.bcalumni.ca
Send us your comments: bcalumni@gov.bc.ca

January/February 2009

The B.C. Alumni Ambassadors Network ...

HONG KONG Launch – Nov. 2007

Hosted by Premier Gordon Campbell, delegates from more than a dozen educational institutions joined then Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, Moura Quayle, at the inaugural B.C. Alumni Ambassadors reception in Hong Kong. Approximately 300 alumni from B.C. institutions were invited to become part of the B.C. Alumni Ambassadors Network.

KOREA Launch – May 2008

More than 45 B.C. Alumni Ambassadors in Korea attended the event at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul, providing an opportunity for networking and to learn about recent developments in British Columbia. One alumnus commented: “I am excited and happy to see such a strong alumni network here in Korea and an interest from the B.C. Government in Korea.”

CHINA Launch – May 2008

The BC-Canada Pavilion provided the backdrop for the B.C. Alumni Ambassadors Network launch in Beijing, China. The event drew over 160 participants, including alumni of B.C. post-secondary institutions as well as British Columbians living and working in China.

Beijing Networking – June 2008

More than 180 B.C. alumni ambassadors gathered at the British Columbia - Canada Pavilion for a networking opportunity with faculty and staff from B.C. post secondary institutions. B.C.'s Deputy Premier and Education Minister Shirley Bond was a guest speaker at the event sharing exciting developments in the province.  

Networking with some B.C. Alumni serving in Cabinet...

Honourable Colin Hansen

Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics

Colin Hansen received his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Victoria in 1975. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, he and his wife Laura owned and operated a small business they established in 1988. Prior to that, he was vice-president of finance and administration for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Colin Hansen was appointed Minister of Finance on June 23, 2008, and was first elected to government in 1996. He previously served as Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Health Services and an earlier term as Minister of Finance (December 15, 2004 to June 15, 2005).

Honourable Barry Penner

Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities

Barry Penner studied political science and economics at Simon Fraser University to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later earned his law degree from the University of Victoria. A former park ranger and sawmill worker, Barry Penner also worked as a B.C. Legislative intern in Victoria. In 1991, he worked for an international law firm in Bangkok, Thailand and then later practiced law in Chilliwack until his election in 1996.

He was appointed Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities on June 16, 2005. Barry Penner was first elected to represent Chilliwack in 1996, and was re-elected in the new riding of Chilliwack-Kent in 2001 and 2005.