Economic development agency eyed for BC: Joly

Canada’s Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly said BC could have its own agency to help businesses bounce forward after COVID-19.

“We need to be much more focused on British Columbians’ realities and needs, and the pandemic has exacerbated this reality,” Joly said in a report by Postmedia this week. “When you look at other regions of the country, there is a very strong presence of the federal government. But that’s not necessarily the case as much in British Columbia.”

The Western Economic Diversification Agency currently serves BC as well as Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Joly was a guest speaker last Friday at the South Island Prosperity Partnership‘s Rising Economy Week.

Joly, pictured above, spoke to Chamber members last year as part of our Business Leader Series of luncheons.