• Continue to work with the Government of Canada on the Provincial Nominee Program to expand the number and definition of qualified immigrants eligible for the program.
• Work with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia to increase the number of residency positions for internationally-trained doctors and continue to work to accelerate the assessment of physicians’ credentials.
• Work with business, industry, and labour partners in expediting the full implementation of the training tax credit to ensure it meets the objectives of providing assistance to  employers, as well as the completion of apprenticeships.
• Consider increasing the resources to expand both the programs and program supports available for students to achieve higher level of proficiency in English-as-a-second-language in order to be competitive in the workforce.
• Consider providing additional funding for graduate students, graduate student spaces, as well as the establishment of a competitive scholarship and a financial aid program available for graduate students.
• Examine the funding formula to post-secondary institutions for trades and technology programs, with the intent to optimizing the availability of these programs. In addition, the government should continue to provide resources to permit the expansion of apprenticeship training programs within the education system, with a particular emphasis on providing additional opportunities for aboriginals.
• Increase funding to allow for the elimination of fees charged for Adult Basic Education.

• Lobby the federal government to review Notice 102 limiting access to competitive log markets for logs originating from private forest lands.

ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE

Housing Options

• In light of recent government commitments to provide increased support for affordable housing options provided under both the Rental Assistance and Shelter Allowance Programs, the government continue to address British Columbians’ needs for a diverse selection and an increase in the number of affordable rental housing accommodations.

  Furthermore, the government should expedite the review and development of its comprehensive housing strategy that may include, but is not limited to:

  •  Capital grants for new affordable housing and co-op housing,
  •  Rehabilitation of abandoned and substandard buildings,
  •  Support services for those in need, and
  •  Assistance for community-based housing providers.

• Immediately allocate necessary resources to eliminate the waitlists for assessments of children and youth with special needs. Furthermore, the government should provide funding for a comprehensive pre-screening program for all children.
• Consider reviewing B.C.’s income assistance policy to enable income assistance recipients to access further education opportunities.
• Ensure that tuition fees at B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions remain competitive visà-vis other Canadian jurisdictions.

• Increase funding to hospice care in an effort to provide quality end-of-life care that will ease the pressure on hospitals.
• Offer a full range of home care and home support services for seniors to ensure that a continuum of services is in place to meet the needs of a growing population of seniors.
• Consider increasing funding to the B.C. Ambulance Service, especially in interior and northern B.C., to ensure ambulances are able to adequately respond to emergency calls.
• Consider additional funding to Community Living BC for the developmentally disabled and their families, including support for youth as they transition into adulthood, and residential supports and services.
• Provide funding for a comprehensive mental health and addictions plan.
• Investigate the financial viability of implementing a registered disability savings plan.
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis on a vaccination program to combat cervical cancer.

• Consider providing a full range services for women through an integrated service delivery model that may include, but is not limited to, sexual assault crisis counselling, women’s shelters, and public outreach programs that assist in providing women information on the variety of services available for women in need.

SUPPORT B.C.’S COMMUNITIES AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

• Continue to make infrastructure investments, while maintaining an affordable debt-to-GDP ratio.
• Proceed with the construction of infrastructure projects related to the Gateway Program.
• Consider allocating more resources to rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure in rural areas, including the maintenance of road beds impacted by industrial and logging activity.
• Consider increasing investment in both public transit infrastructure and funding for BC Transit. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the government continue to work closely with the federal, regional, and local governments to enable long-term transportation and transit planning supported by reliable sources of funding.

Sector Support

• Work with the Government of Canada to ensure appropriate assistance to those regions and sectors of the province facing crisis situations, including drought in the Peace River region, Mountain Pine Beetle affected areas, and the fruit tree industry in the Okanagan.
• Examine the feasibility of providing marketing assistance to British Columbia’s agricultural producers in light of the government’s healthy living strategy.
• Increase funding to the B.C. Arts Council to enhance arts and culture in the province.

• Ensure sufficient staffing and resources are provided to the various ministries and agencies responsible for the ongoing monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations.
• Review — in consultation with both industry and the public — existing programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, monitor and publicly report on emissions impacts, and continue to support programs encouraging the development and use of clean energies and fuels.