B.C. aims for diversified economy, as jobs targets missed on mines and LNG
VANCOUVER — Premier Christy Clark says her government’s retooled jobs plan aims to make British Columbia the most diversified economy in Canada.
The premier said Monday during a five-year update on her jobs plan that the government achieved 15 of 19 goals set back in 2011, but missed targets for international students, on growth in mines and for the liquefied natural gas industry.
The original jobs plan said three LNG plants would be operating by 2020 and that there would be 17 new and upgraded mines in operation by 2015, she said.
An official in Clark’s office said five new mines have been approved since 2011 and eight were upgraded, which came close to the targeted goal. The official also said the most recent international student numbers indicated an increase of 44 per cent since 2001.