For Immediate Release

July 7, 2010

B.C. LIBERALS MISSING OPPORTUNITY TO FOSTER TRADE WITH ASIA, CREATE GREEN JOBS

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberal government has dropped the ball on an important opportunity to foster innovative economic ties with Asia while creating green jobs here at home, the New Democrats said today.

Exponics Canada, a B.C.-based group of businesses, is slated to represent Canada at the 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011.  The proposed exhibit would promote sustainable soilless gardening technology for both indoor vertical farms and outdoor green roofs, as well as wind and solar energy.

“We need to maximize every opportunity to market B.C. abroad.  This is a key opportunity to showcase B.C. wood products, horticultural technology and promote urban sustainability,” said Jenny Kwan, the New Democrat critic for small business, technology and economic development.

“Without adequate funding, Exponics will not be able to leverage the world-wide exposure at the Taipei Expo to create jobs for British Columbians. Unless the provincial and federal governments act, Canada might not be represented at the Expo and we could miss out on this important opportunity.”

Despite paying lip service to the important economic opportunity the Expo represents, both provincial and federal governments have failed to invest in the locally-owned businesses represented by Exponics.

“As we look to diversify and green our economy, we should be ensuring that B.C. leverages our internationally-renowned horticultural expertise into investment and jobs. Unfortunately, the B.C. Liberal government is failing to take the lead and showcase B.C.’s expertise in urban sustainability on the world stage,” said New Democrat critic for agriculture and lands Lana Popham, who noted that the trade exhibition would also be a great opportunity to promote wind and solar energy.

Taiwan is Canada’s thirteenth-largest trading partner and is the fifth-largest export market for B.C. products.

“We require government funding to make this Canadian display an outstanding one at this international venue in order to help promote B.C. and Canadian businesses.  Our company has invested heavily to bring this golden opportunity to B.C. businesses – now we need leadership from government.  The B.C. businesses in the Canada pavilion will be the only ones showcasing this type of horticultural technology,” said Marseene Mainly of Team Exponics.

“B.C. businesses have been trying for months to leverage government support for the Canada Pavilion at the Taipei Expo to showcase our world-class horticultural businesses.  This would be a missed opportunity to promote our cutting-edge technology to between eight and 10 million people from around the world,” said Kwan, who noted that 37 countries will be participating in the Expo.

Kwan said that although the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, the B.C. Ministry of Tourism and Culture and B.C. Minister of the Environment Barry Penner have all provided letters of support, they have failed to provide the necessary resources for Team Exponics to be able to showcase B.C. businesses at the Canada pavilion.

Kwan and Popham have written to Premier Gordon Campbell and Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking for the provincial and federal governments to take action.

Team Exponics has raised most of the money needed for this project but still needs close to $1 million to build the exhibit and maintain it for six months at the Expo. The budget for the Canadian pavilion at the Shanghai Expo is $45 million.

The Carole James New Democrats are committed to investing in new technologies so B.C. can create and attract good-paying, sustainable, green jobs.

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