A Message from 10 - Friday, March 30, 1990 - North Shore News John Reyno!”~ MLA West Vancouver-Howe £ a Things are looking great in West Vancouver-Howe Sound, and the future looks only brighter. Issues that concern us all, including the environment, economy, tourism, parks and transpor- tation are all being given the utmost attention. The priority given to these and other concerns has made this one of the most beautiful and bountiful places to live in B.C. But we don't want to stop there. Improving the quality of life for all is my goal, and will continue to be. Our record speaks for itself. Just look at what has becn done in the previous year, and look at what we are doing now. The Environment Across Burrard Inlet at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre last week, government and industry leaders from around the world participated in Globe “90, the inaugural international conference on business opportunities for the proiection. preservation and replenishing of the envir- onment. The combined trade fair and environmental symposium showcased the beauty and quality of life of B.C. and demonstrated how we are becoming a world leader in the world’s most important issue: the environment. Delegates heard how British Columbia is responding to the calls for substainable development in new and innovative ways. The Environmental Youth Corps, estab- lished fast year, emphasizes youth as the key to the future of the environment. More than 1,000 young people throughout the Economy -We are the only province in Canada with a balanced budget, and that has brought international praise in the form of invest- ment and trade on the foreign level. BC., now with a population of more than 3 million, has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Almost half of all jobs created in Canada last year were created in B.C. Many of those jobs were created in tourism. which is now a $3.5 billion-a-year industry. Capital investment, housing — starts, Wages. resource processing and non- resource processing all increased in 1989, and the trend should continue in 1990, province have the opportunity to gain prac- tical experience and training in environ- mental related areas. The EYC has been at work in West Van- couver in the Capilano River Regional Park in West Vancouver, in Porteau Cove near Squamish and in Garibaldi and the Sunshine Coast. Also established last year was the Round Table on Environment and Economy. The 3l-member board acts as an advisor to to cabinet on environmental issues and tries to strike a balance between environmental and economic needs of the province. Leaders of environmental groups, labour unions and industry are involved in the unique board; among them are Mr. Bob Kadiec, President of B.C. Gas Inc.. Ms Rozlynne Mitchell of “Save Howe Sound.” Bryan Williams. QC., Barrister and Sol- Top Right John Reynolds visiting the Carmanah Valley Left John Reynolds with Youth Corps in Clayoquot Sound Area Tourism Most of B.C.’s economie¢ suceess can be attributed to the rest of the world. Since Expo 86, tourism has risen to become one of the province's fastest growing industries. People from throughout Canada, the ULS.. Europe, Asia and elsewhere have chosen B.C. as the destination of choice. They know that good tines are had by all in SuperNatural B.C. A feature attraction for visitors is park- land. In our area, there's plenty of it. Garabaldi and Shannon Falls Provincial Parks have both been expanded to give hore green space for generations to come. Garibaldi’s boundaries have been changed and extended, giving the park another 819 hectares of parkland. Whistler is. a success story Like no other in Western Canada, or for that matter. North America. Development of the resort has remained constantiand the word has traveited around icitor and Chuck Connaghan, Chairman of the provincial Round Table on the Environ- ment and the Economy. One of the major concerns to us all is waste. How do we dispose of it and how do we manage it? The BC. Government is aiming at redu- cing municipal waste by 50 percent in 10 years through recycling and the use of new technology. A full strategy for the province as we approach the 2Ist century will be laid out in a comprehensive white paper. Vision 2001: Environmental Action Plan for the 1990's involves intense research to deter- mine the most important issues facing us today and how the government should face these problems. Public input is key to the white paper which will map out strategies for meeting environmental challenges in the 1990s for government, industry and community alike. the world that Whistler is the iz: place to ski. Just to demonstrate its popularity among skiers, readers of SK/ magazine voted the Whistler/Blackcomb resort. as) North America’s second best. just’ narrowly behind Vail, Colorado. But Whistler is also a playground tor those who enjoy summer outdoor activ- ities. The Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, windsurfing and hiking are enough to keep visitors busy. in addition to sum- mertime skiing at focal glaciers. Hts area is now in excess of 200.000 hee- tares, making iLone of B.C’s largest parks. Its even larger than Switzerland. Shannon Falls received a 77-hectire boost lo protect the spectacular 335-metre waterfall and the area surrounding it. Now 87 heetares. the park 2 km south of Squamish can now be enjoyed by even more than the 250,000 people who visit eaeh year. Highways In order for British Columbians and visitors to be able to enjoy the parks and recreation areas like the ones in West Vancouver-Howe Sound, they need the Freedom to Move. That's the theme of the ongoing process of upgrading the highways of the province. The Sea to Ski Highway, one of the most scenic in the province, will receive nearly $ 24 million of improvements to make it safer for the increasing number of motorists travelling to Whistler both in the winter and the summer. Community Benefits Enrichment of the communities in West Vancouver-Howe Sound through econ- omic assistance to groups, businesses and municipal governments is another ongoing commitment. Environmental upgrading, transporta- tion, health care. recreation and culture receive assistance through grants and loans, Grassrvots groups, entrepreneurs and services key to the survival of communities are ail open to application for funds. Just contact me. A plethora of groups benefitted last year and will continue to benefit this year. Access by air to the Whistler area will be improved with a $2.5 million grant to the Pemberton Airport by the Ministry of Transport and Highways. Lions Bay will get a multi-use emer- gency facility with a $102,333 grant that will see the volunteer fire department and Emergency Social Services have a home. Seniors. the ill and the disabled will gain independence by being able to remain at home as a result of a $10,465 grant to the Squamish Hospital for home monitoring units. Libraries. key to the learning process for young and old. are important facets of any community. In West) Vancouver, the Memorial Library's fundraising drive to enrich facilities received $500,000 while Bowen Island Public Library received $4.630 for upgrading. Whether it be at work or at play, it is evident that our policies and procedures for a stronger. cleaner, more liveable prov- ince and constituency ure working. West Vancouver-Howe Sound has a lot to be proud of, But we should not rest on our Jaurels. Only by continuing to work together can the environment become safer and cleaner for future generations, and we can continue to build upon our thriving economy. Let’s send a message to the rest of Canada saying this is how success can be achieved.