Notes for an address by

The Honourable Lynne Yelich
Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification

Reception

Corresponding Document: News Release

Check Against Delivery

Thank you.

Good evening everyone.

It is an honour to be with you this evening on behalf of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD).

Let me first thank Metro Vancouver Commerce and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission for hosting this event.

It’s hard to believe that more than a year has passed since Vancouver was alive with the sights and sounds of a city hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The 2010 Winter Games were an opportunity to celebrate our country, and ourselves as Canadians.

While the 2010 Winter Games celebrated the very best in sport - they were also an opportunity to market our great country and all that it has to offer.  It was also an opportunity to ensure that visitors and the millions of people watching from around the world saw Canada and British Columbia as one of the world’s best places to invest.

Long before the 2010 Winter Games began, the Government of Canada along with  all of our partners here today, knew that it was imperative we take advantage of the once in a lifetime economic opportunities that would come with hosting these Games.

That is why my Department invested over $800,000 in the initiative that we are here to celebrate tonight: the Metro Vancouver Commerce 2010 Partnership Investment Program.

Just a few weeks ago my colleague, the Honourable Stockwell Day helped celebrate the impressive one-year program results; an estimated total of $168 million into Canadian business ventures. This translates into a short-term economic impact of over $300 million in total output.
 
These successes are a testament to the collaboration between forward-thinking local municipalities and partnerships. All of you have worked diligently to showcase B.C. as one of the greatest places in the world to invest and do business.

I would like to thank all who have made this possible.

Thank you to Mayor Robertson and the City of Vancouver for helping lead the charge.

Thank-you to the Metro Vancouver Commerce partner municipalities, starting in the west with the District of North Vancouver and making our way east to the “Ridge”, as I’m told locals call it.

And finally...thank you to Metro Vancouver Commerce Partners. We all know that without the cooperation of local businesses and industry, this program would not have achieved these successes.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have become a source of pride for all Canadians, especially those of you from the Metro Vancouver area.

We lived up to the promise to hold a successful Olympics and ensure that success continue to flow in the form of economic benefits.

I would like to commend all those who have supported the Vancouver Economic Development Commission and Metro Vancouver Commerce in this initiative. On behalf of the Government of Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada, thank you.