While governments may think that their focus should be on cutting budgets to reduce debt, cutting back public sector jobs would only make matters worse. We need to be efficient in everything we do, offer top quality services and products, and think of new ways to further increase the value of our resources. This is obvious for our natural resources, but also for our workforce. Foreign trained workers in BC are facing considerable hurdles to employment and career development. Employers need to provide the training and support they need to achieve their full potential and contribute fully to the prosperity of our businesses. Having language skills and a global outlook, skilled immigrants are a great asset for BC.

Vancouver is a wonderful place to live and offers an amazing quality of life. Diversity has always been part of our identity as our economy has always depended on newcomers who bring with them skills, know-how and a determination to succeed. As we enjoy summer together on our beaches (and ice cream shops!), complicit in our appreciation for the opportunity to live here, we need to celebrate our differences and keep in mind the need to build on our commonalities to foster wealth and prosperity.