SPEECH FOR THE HONOURABLE JON GERRARD

in response to Opposition Motion 

for Monday, September 30, 1996 



Mr. Speaker

   The Government of Canada recognized British Columbia as Canada's
   gateway to the Asia Pacific long before the Hon. Member for North
   Island Powell River raised this question.

  [ big snip ]

   We are also looking to the future, to the need to build a strong
   base of science, research and technology.

   Mr. Speaker, the federal government is contributing $167 million
   over five years to the Tri-University Meson Facility in Vancouver.
   TRIUMF is one of the world's leading facilities for subatomic
   research. The applied research conducted at TRIUMF has already
   resulted in the creation of new commercial products in biomedical,
   radiopharmaceutical, and medical isotope research, products such as
   PET scanners and pion therapy beams.

   TRIUMF generates economic activity for western Canada through its
   buying of products and services, and through technology transfer
   and commercialization. As well, some 700 scientists from around the
   world come to BC to conduct research and attend scientific
   conferences organized by TRIUMF.

   Mr. Speaker, the Hon. Member should also know that the federal
   government has supported many networks of Centres of Excellence. BC
   is the home-base of several of these, including the networks for
   research on Telelearning, Bacterial Diseases, and Genetic Diseases.
   The federal government has also invested $6 million in the Centre
   for Advanced Wood Processing, and $3 million in the
   Biopharmaceutical Innovation Resource Centre fund. 

   In partnership with the provincial government, the federal
   government has provided $5 million over the last two years under
   the Agreement on Communications and Cultural Industries. This money
   has been invested in over 45 projects to promote culture and
   technology development in BC.

   To make sure that people in communities throughout BC can get on to
   the Information Highway, the federal government put in place the
   Community Access Program. 34 BC communities have been hooked up to
   the Internet already this year, and about 50 more will be supported
   this year in connecting.

   Mr. Speaker, the federal government has been active in making sure
   that there is information available for small businesses, that
   communities have support for economic development, that science,
   research and technology in BC have solid support. This government
   has also brought in the Open Skies agreement that has greatly
   increased tourism to BC. We have settled the softwood lumber quota
   issue. We have resolved issues for BC telephone companies under the
   Broadcast Act. We have successfully managed the Infrastructure
   Works program in partnership with the provincial government and
   local levels of government. We are hosting the leaders of Asia
   Pacific countries next year in Vancouver.

   Mr. Speaker, British Columbia is a major contributor to Canada, not
   only from an economic point of view, but through the contributions
   of all the people who live in that province. It contributes to the
   strength of our country, culturally, economically, in science, and
   to the unity of this great land. Through its cooperative efforts
   and initiatives with individuals, businesses, municipal governments
   and the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada
   recognizes and values the role of British Columbia in our great
   country.