B.C. NDP, Green platforms promise help for technology sector
Both the B.C. NDP and Green election platforms make a few promises to the province’s technology sector.
Here are New Democrats’ promises, as stated in the party’s platform:
Carole James and the NDP will invest in opportunities for affordable advanced learning and skills training by...
C. PROMOTING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
”¢ Fueling tech transfer opportunities between post-secondary institutions and the private sector to create new patents, businesses and skilled jobs, and help diversify BC’s provincial and regional economies.
”¢ Taking a more prominent leadership role in helping grow the emerging high-tech business cluster near Vancouver’s False Creek, including land acquisition to house tech companies and infrastructure investments to enable companies to expand their research and productivity and to encourage partnerships with the private sector.
Ӣ Creating more high-tech parks throughout BC by building on the success of models like Discovery Park to create high-tech parks in the North and Interior, in partnership with local post-secondary institutions.
Ӣ Investing in technology through allocating $200 million from our Green Bond Technology Fund to leverage matching federal dollars over ten years.
Here are Greens’ promises, as stated in their platform:
BC Greens Will...
Ӣ Create a provincial Green Venture Capital Fund to encourage local green business start-ups to create greencollar jobs in green technologies and renewable energy sectors...
Advanced Technology
Ӣ Reduce taxes on advanced technology businesses to the same level afforded the film industry.
Ӣ Reinstate funding for Discovery BC to help turn BC research into commercial applications
Ӣ Establish a $10 million research and development fund for on-the-ground pilot projects to help re-establish our global leadership in this area
Neither the NDP platform nor the Greens’ mentions B.C.’s new-media sector.
The sector, which includes Vancouver’s video-game industry, had been looking for support—but didn’t find any—in the Liberals’ budget, introduced in February.
At the time, NDP MLA Spencer Herbert, who is running in the new riding of Vancouver-West End, called the lack of aid “pretty disappointing and shortsighted”.
The Liberals have yet to release their platform.
B.C. residents go to the polls on May 12.
Comments
1 Comments
Zachis6now
Apr 16, 2009 at 8:57am
The NDP platform on green tech is a load of bullocks. The city has abandoned its high tech zoning for false creek flats and the planning is already well underway to establish an "incubator" facility at Great Northern Way Campus (whether it happens or not is another question).
In terms of a green tech fund, it already exists, although not to the tune of $200 million. It`s called the Investment in Clean Energy Fund (ICE). In terms of Discovery Parks I would not use the word "success" in the same breath. This is a mostly dysfunctional organization lead by a board of academics. Their track record in terms of actual commercialization and spin off activity is weak. Discovery has essentially become a developer who will lease to the highest bidder. BC taxpayers should not be subsidizing this.