Monday, November 5, 2007

National Technology Week
MLA Statements

I am honoured to stand in the House today to share with everyone here that November 5 to 9 is now proclaimed as National Technology Week. This is a testimony that we all recognize the applied science and technology sectors within our provincial economy.

I am pleased to see this happen, as technology has been a large part of my career. Before being elected I was a programmer analyst. I worked in the fields of physics, computer science and applied mathematics at TRIUMF, Canada's national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics.

The technology sector is a large part of our economy. I am pleased with the recent announcement that Metro Vancouver will soon be home to Microsoft's first software development centre in Canada. This facility will have about 200 employees, and it will draw on software developers from around the world. This is an exciting announcement for us. Burnaby is already home to IBM Centres for Solution Innovation, with a cross-functional team of more than 240 engineers, web designers and architects.

Our province has an innovative and skilled workforce. As the gateway location between North America and Asia, we provide the foundation for almost unlimited economic opportunities.

B.C.'s economy is doing very well. Between 2001 and 2004, companies from outside Canada spent over $17 billion for business expansion, modernization and new facilities within British Columbia. Over 1,500 non-Canadian firms have recently expanded their British Columbia operations and invested in our province. The high-tech sector is a growing part of British Columbia's diverse economy, offering prospects of strong economic growth in the years to come.

So today I say congratulations and happy National Technology Week, everyone.