FUNDING HELPS OPEN PACIFIC GATEWAY RELATIONSHIPS

PRINCE RUPERT – The Province has invested over $1 million to help communities all over B.C. build more economically robust connections with Asian communities, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today while presenting $50,000 to Prince Rupert to build on its own twinning relationships.

“We’re encouraging local governments here in B.C. to explore relationships in the Asia Pacific region, as the advantages are tremendous,” said Campbell. “This initiative will support local governments like Prince Rupert’s, who have already demonstrated leadership and action in forging ties with their Asian counterparts so they may further strengthen those bonds and realize the social and economic benefits.”

“This grant makes all the difference in the world for Prince Rupert,” said Herb Pond, mayor of Prince Rupert. “As we develop Canada’s next great port city we view strategic twinning relationships as critical. We’ve been very active in our twinning relationship with Ketchikan, Alaska which is close; working on transportation issues, traveling back and forth for community celebrations. But due to budget restraints, our Asian relationships have fallen dormant. The financial assistance from the Province is just the catalyst we needed in reviving key Asian relationships, opening up corridors for business, education and cultural exchanges that will help us expand B.C.’s newest Pacific Gateway.”

Local governments can use the money to plan their twinning program, which would include establishing the vision and objectives, identifying potential partners and supporting travel for senior officials to conduct face-to-face meetings. The funds will also provide assistance to develop materials to promote the community’s twinning efforts, including costs related to translating materials and provide cultural awareness training for staff and council members involved with initiative.

“This builds on our Asia Pacific Initiative to make B.C. the preferred economic and cultural gateway between North America and the Asia Pacific region,” said Colin Hansen, Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics.

“By acting now, and focusing particularly in China, Japan, Korea and India, we can ensure British Columbia’s local governments have the opportunity to capitalize on the benefits from these emerging economies,” said Community Services Minister Ida Chong.

This funding complements the B.C. Asia Twinning Tool Kit launched at the 2007 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, providing a ‘how-to’ guide to give municipalities advice on getting started, establishing arrangements, maximizing the potential of the agreements over time and measuring progress.

Currently, local governments in B.C. are involved in over 100 twinning arrangements with international communities. Under the auspices of the long standing sister province relationship which British Columbia has with the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, China, in November 2007, Minister of Community Services, Ida Chong signed a Memorandum of Agreement to help encourage more economically robust local government relationships between the two provinces.

For more information about B.C.’s Asia Pacific Initiative and to learn more about the B.C. Asia Twinning Tool Kit and the criteria for local governments to qualify for funding, please visit www.bcasiatwinnings.gov.bc.ca/

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Marc Black Communications Manager Ministry of Community Services 250 387-4089

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