#BCTECH Strategy: One-Year Renewal and Update TECHNOLOGY IS B.C. S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

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1 #BCTECH Strategy: One-Year Renewal and Update TECHNOLOGY IS B.C. S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE For more info and success stories, visit: bctechstrategy.ca March 2017

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3 Contents MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER... 2 MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER... 3 THE B.C. TECHNOLOGY SECTOR... 4 NEW INITIATIVES... 6 Talent Capital Markets Data PROGRESS IN THE #BCTECH STRATEGY Talent Capital Markets CONCLUSION APPENDIX A LIST OF NEW INITIATIVES APPENDIX B LIST OF INITIAL TARGETS #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 1

4 Message from the Premier B.C. IS IN THE ENVIABLE POSITION OF LEADING THE COUNTRY in job creation and having the lowest unemployment rate. This is in part because of the leadership and vision of the BC JOBS PLAN. During uncertain economic times, we stayed the course and stuck to our economic principles and plan. The Jobs Plan has identified B.C. s technology sector as an important sector to B.C. s overall economic health. Part of the reason for B.C. s continued growth is the continued growth and success of the technology sector in B.C. In fact, for the first time, the sector employed more than 100,000 people last year. These are wellpaid jobs that are helping to create a prosperous future for our children....the BC TECH SECTOR EMPLOYED MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR. B.C. is a very successful incubator for startups, and as we work to nurture the conditions that allow startups to grow into medium- and large-sized companies, tech firms from outside B.C. are moving here. New and established, these firms are creating jobs throughout our province. Technology also plays a huge role for all of B.C. s industries. In both our rural and urban settings, introducing cutting-edge technology to traditional processes improves productivity, quality, and safety. The adoption of technology and innovation makes our rural resource industries more competitive in the global marketplace. A year ago, we committed to 50 actions to help keep the tech sector growing. These actions are setting the conditions for the growth we ve seen in the last year. While we continue to complete and work through our commitments, we recognize that we can do more. In order to keep pace with the changing global economy, we have set a number of new initiatives in order to reach four aspirational goals: JOB GROWTH in the tech sector will remain above the provincial average and reach 120,000 by INVESTMENT in the B.C. tech sector will be increased by up to $100 million by B.C. WILL BECOME A LEADER in the innovation economy by working to increase the talent pool by 1,000 grads per year by 2022, with increased graduates in regions throughout the province. INCREASE the number of tech companies with 10 or more employees by 20 per cent by We want to ensure that B.C. s tech sector has the tools to grow so that every industry has the opportunity to take advantage of the competitive edge that technology has to offer. Technology is B.C. s competitive advantage. 2 THE HONOURABLE CHRISTY CLARK PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

5 Message from the Minister GLOBALIZATION IS RAPIDLY ACCELERATING THE DIGITAL AGE. In order for B.C. to stay competitive in a global market, our #BCTECH STRATEGY must grow and adapt, just as our companies do. This renewal of the strategy is a reflection of the tech industry s priorities across all subsectors including information and communications technology; lifesciences; interactive and digital media; cleantech; and engineering services. Three years ago, industry stated that access to capital was their main concern. We responded by creating the $100-million BC Tech Fund to help promising tech companies succeed. Today, the priority is talent, and we are making sure that British Columbians are ready to take advantage of this growing industry by enhancing training in B.C., and when we can t meet our labour needs locally, by attracting people from across the country and around the world. International trade is also an important aspect of the technology sector, as reflected in the high volume of two-way trade. In September 2016, B.C. and Washington State signed a memorandum of understanding affirming shared interests in creating regional economic opportunities for innovation in the technology sector. The partnership aims to foster stronger ties across the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, including collaboration in research, education, workforce development, transportation and investment. This renewal of the strategy will continue to find ways to enhance our partnership with the U.S....THE PRIORITY IS TALENT, AND WE ARE MAKING SURE BRITISH COLUMBIANS ARE READY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GROWING INDUSTRY... This strategy also identifies the need, and our promise, to leverage the strength of government procurement and government data to support innovation, tech company growth, and stronger government services. The #BCTECH STRATEGY is our commitment to helping foster an environment that encourages the creation and growth of tech firms in B.C. We want B.C.-born companies to have the tools and talent they need to grow at home and stay at home. HONOURABLE AMRIK VIRK MINISTER OF TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND CITIZENS SERVICES 3

6 The B.C. Technology Sector THE B.C. TECHNOLOGY SECTOR is a major engine of economic growth in B.C. The most recent BC Stats profile of the sector shows the immense and growing impact this sector is having on B.C. s job growth and GDP. IN 2015, THE TECH SECTOR: Reached over 100,000 jobs for the first time at 101,780 1 at 9,905 companies. Had wages 75 per cent higher than the B.C. industrial average, with average weekly earnings of $1, Had the fifth consecutive year of growth in employment. 3 Employed around 4.9 per cent of British Columbia s workforce more than the mining, oil and gas, and forestry sectors combined. 4 Generated approximately seven per cent of the province s GDP. 5 In fact, in the first year of the strategy, early indicators show that employment in 2016 grew to over 106,000 jobs and that number is projected to continue growing at 10,236 companies. 1 BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector: 2016 Edition, (January 2017), p. 2 2 BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector: 2016 Edition, (January 2017), p. 2 3 BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector: 2016 Edition, (January 2017), p BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector: 2016 Edition, (January 2017), p. 2 5 BC Stats, Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector: 2016 Edition, (January 2017), p #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

7 EXCITING EXPANSION IN B.C. BOEING BOEING RECENTLY OPENED A LAB FACILITY IN VANCOUVER S YALETOWN DISTRICT, WHICH DEVELOPS DATA ANALYTICS-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR SOME OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY S BIGGEST CHALLENGES. MICROSOFT MICROSOFT OPENED A STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN VANCOUVER TO CREATE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FOR THE GLOBAL MARKET AND DEVELOP TECHNOLOGY TALENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. SALTWORKS TECHNOLOGIES INC. SALTWORKS TECHNOLOGIES INC. OPENED A NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY IN RICHMOND. THEY ARE A LEADER IN WASTEWATER RECLAMATION AND PART OF B.C. S GROWING CLEAN TECHNOLOGY SUBSECTOR. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 5

8 New Initiatives B.C. S DYNAMIC YOUNG STARTUPS are the beginning of the great companies of the future, and government is committed to paving the way for them to grow. Our goal is to increase the number of tech companies with 10 or more employees by 20 per cent by 2021 by enhancing supports for these small tech companies. We want B.C. businesses to grow at home and stay at home. This goal was laid out in the BC JOBS PLAN, and the #BCTECH STRATEGY lays out the means. Designed to be a living, growing document, in the year since the strategy was launched, government has continued to consult with industry stakeholders, and we are already working to enhance our efforts in the THREE PILLARS. TALENT: We will deepen the talent pool by increasing the number of technology graduates, attracting more talent from other jurisdictions, retraining existing talent, and innovating our immigration processes. CAPITAL: We will improve tax credits and help companies pursue federal government capital. MARKETS: We will modernize government procurement. WE ARE ALSO INTRODUCING A NEW PILLAR: DATA: We will unlock the value of government data as a provincial resource for the benefit of citizens. Broadening access to, and use of, data, with the right safeguards in place, can enable job creation in B.C. s technology sector and significantly improve the services government delivers to citizens. Data is a tool for innovation. THESE ACTIONS will help the tech sector, and tech talent, to grow across all the tech subsectors, but they will also help other industries throughout the province because tech is a critical component of almost every other sector in B.C. by providing a foundation for innovation, efficiency and growth. For instance, the technology sector is supporting new innovation in B.C. s resource sectors, resulting in productivity gains that continue to reinforce and grow our already diverse and vibrant economy. In fact, seven per cent of all forestry and logging jobs are considered tech occupations, and the number is twice that for mining WorkBC, British Columbia 2025 Labour Market Outlook: Technology and Science Occupations Profile, (July 2016), p. 8 6 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

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10 Talent WE WILL DEEPEN THE B.C. TECHNOLOGY TALENT POOL In order to supply the tech industry with the necessary talent, we must, for the longer term, increase the number of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) grads, and improve the job readiness of our grads through experiential learning. In the shorter and medium term, we must increase the number of people re-training for tech careers; increase the number of people moving to B.C. from elsewhere in Canada; and increase the number of immigrants entering B.C. from around the world. We have already taken systematic steps to deepen the talent pool, and now we are taking more. Because the #BCTECH STRATEGY is a living, changing document, once we have improved infrastructure, capacity and processes, and as we continue to refine data and costs, we will be able to take further pragmatic steps in the future to keep abreast of B.C. s talent needs. TO STRENGTHEN THE TALENT PILLAR, WE ARE ENHANCING OR ADDING 12 ACTIONS. FOR OUR B.C. GRADS: Increase the number of tech grads Our goal is to increase the number of tech grads by 1,000, per year, by increasing the number of full-time equivalent student spaces (FTEs) at post-secondary institutions in both rural and urban areas. Once the new seats are fully up and running, funding for them would be approximately $42 million a year, or more than $120 million over three years fully implemented. The new spaces will be for a mixture of certificates, diplomas and degrees. Some will constitute an expansion of existing programs, while others will be for entirely new programs. Both the new and expanded programming will be located throughout the province, including the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the North, Central Interior, Southern Interior, and the Fraser Valley. Approximately 40 per cent of the projected new graduates associated with this investment would be from programming located outside of the Lower Mainland. Expand work-integrated learning in existing programs Experiential learning is an excellent way for students to hone their soft skills. On-the-job experience helps students develop interpersonal, communication, and team working skills. It can also enhance problem-solving, creativity and leadership abilities. Over the next five years, as programs undergo review, we will phase in expanded co-op placements for all institutional degree programs in tech. We will also increase the number of placements in some tech workplacement programs. 8 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

11 We will make funding available to double the number of placements in the Innovator Skills Initiative. In 2015/16, 112 startups and 149 students benefited from the new Innovator Skills Initiative, and demand for the program is growing. Placements outside of the Lower Mainland reached 40 per cent. The program is designed to train students to become entrepreneurs. Specifically, the students are matched with small to medium-size businesses to provide an apprenticeship in technology entrepreneurship. Student participants are remunerated through matched contributions from government and partnering businesses to a combined maximum of $15,000 per student per term. We will make funding available to double the number of placements in the BC Tech Co-op Grants program to ensure government meets the growing demand for co-op placements. Co-op education helps to train students and address industry needs for job-ready talent by alternating in-class and workenvironment training. It enables post-secondary students to connect their classroom studies to the real world by gaining technical work experience related to their program area and to the need of employers. In May 2015, the BC Tech Co-op Grants program was implemented. Demand for this tech co-op program is also growing, with 264 placements between May 2015 and April 2016 and about 681 for the second year of the program. The co-op grant is $2,700 per term, per student. We will increase the number of placements in the Mitacs program by two-thirds. Mitacs brings students together with industry and business, giving them the opportunity to do research on real-world projects in a range of sectors, including technology, health, business and engineering. Over the past 16 years, Mitacs has supported more than 2,800 research internships, trained more than 7,000 student and postdoc career-skills participants, and supported more than 470 international research collaborations in B.C....POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS CONNECT THEIR CLASSROOM STUDIES TO THE REAL WORLD BY GAINING TECHNICAL WORK EXPERIENCE... Create B.C. s new Innovation Network Innovative ideas lead to new technology. Supporting innovation in turn supports technology, and we intend to support both through B.C. s new Innovation Network. In fact, technology and innovation need many of the same inputs to grow, including talent, research, and collaboration. This network will act as a bridge between all of B.C. s 25 public post-secondary institutions and industry. The focus of this network will be to foster greater collaboration between public post-secondary institutions and innovation-driven industries. The network will ensure that training in our post-secondary system lines up with the needs of industry so British Columbians are prepared to be first in line for jobs in the Innovation Economy, particularly the subset that is the Province s vibrant technology sector. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 9

12 PROFESSOR SANTA ONO, president of UBC, will act as the chief advisor for the network. Professor Ono will focus on talent, research and innovation, and superclusters. This includes: THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH LEADING RESEARCHERS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF RECRUITING THE MOST PROMISING STUDENTS. DEVELOPING and implementing strategies to attract and retain talent. ALIGNING tech sector needs and post-secondary training and education. IDENTIFYING programs and corresponding investments to meet industry demand. WORKING with industry, post-secondary institutions and research agencies to encourage research that meets industry needs and supports innovation. UNDERTAKING a gap analysis to ensure innovation clusters are best positioned to compete globally. To undertake this role, Professor Ono will work closely with the Premier s Technology Council (as a member), the BC Innovation Council, the BC Tech Association, LifeSciences BC, DigiBC and the Clean Tech CEOs Alliance, and also with partners across B.C. s innovation network, such as innovation-driven companies spanning economic sectors, research agencies, industry and business associations, and post-secondary institutions and associations. Create the BC Science and Technology Research Chairs Program Leading researchers and their teams of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in research-intensive science and technology programs are essential to B.C. s knowledge-based economy. They create and transfer the latest knowledge and ideas to the workplace and increase innovation. Competition for retaining and attracting the best graduate students is national and international in scope. The opportunity to work with leading researchers is a critical component of recruiting the most promising students. Building on the highly successful BC Leadership Chairs program, this new research chairs program will be focused on the technology and life sciences sectors. Eligible universities are spread throughout the province and include those with research-intensive graduate programs in science, technology, and life sciences. 10 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

13 FOR BRITISH COLUMBIANS WHO WANT TO ENTER THE TECH WORKFORCE FROM ANOTHER FIELD OR SPECIALTY: Continue the Canada-BC Job Grant The Canada-BC Job grant (CJG) will continue to help tech-sector employers to train new and existing staff in companies of all sizes, and across all industries that use tech to improve competitiveness. Two hundred and fifty grants have been approved in 2016/17, with 134 employers for 1,350 participants to date. Recognizing that women are under-represented in the technology industry, the CJG will soon have a specific stream of funding to train current and new female employees. Work with the First Nations Technology Council on their program Bridging to Technology A skilled Aboriginal workforce is part of fulfilling B.C. s talent potential. Bridging to Technology is a comprehensive skills-development program. It includes the Professional Development training stream for people who are already employed to empower, enhance and upskill their existing skills sets. It also includes the Bridging to Technology Certificate Program, which is a 14-week training program delivered in partnership with and credentialed by the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. This program introduces participants to a range of technologies used in the knowledge economy, with a specific focus on current opportunities in B.C. Following completion of training, students have the opportunity to complete a six- to eight-week work experience placement with an industry partner relevant to the region. A SKILLED ABORIGINAL WORKFORCE IS PART OF FULFILLING B.C. S TALENT POTENTIAL. FOR NEWCOMERS: Work with the federal government to increase the number of skilled immigrants in B.C. s tech sector This government recognizes that growing technology talent at home is a longterm solution to deepening our talent pool. In order to create shorter term solutions, the B.C. government will work internally and with our federal partners to find innovative ways to increase the number of skilled immigrants with technology skills entering B.C. by 1,400 1,800 people. We will meet this target within our existing levers through a tech-specific pilot under the PNP, ensuring the sector has the capacity they need to attract longer-term talent. We will also advocate to the federal government for changes to immigration policies that address tech-sector needs, including streamlining application processes; ensuring the sector can access talent faster and increasing pathways to citizenship for international students. In addition to the actions above, B.C. will continue and enhance specialized and targeted tech skills-training programs for British Columbians who are underemployed or unemployed, for those who have just immigrated here, or those who face unique challenges like Aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 11

14 DATA AND THE TALENT PILLAR TO HELP GUIDE ADVANCEMENTS IN THE TALENT PILLAR, government supported the BC Tech Association (through the Sector Labour Market Partnership Program) to research new data. Using historical data from Stats Canada and primary data from over 400 employer surveys, the resulting work is the 2016 TechTalent BC Report. THIS NEW REPORT uses a different methodology than our traditional BC Stats reports. The BC Stats reports have been foundational to our understanding of the growth and needs of the tech industry as a whole, while the methodology in this new report allows us to take a deeper dive into the job data specifically. 7 Using detailed jobs data allows us to see more clearly how best to match the needs of industry with job training. The report shows us that if growth continues at its current pace, new tech jobs are being created at about the same strong pace as new tech workers are joining the workforce. The report looks beyond the status quo and demonstrates that if B.C. could bring more workers into the workforce, the tech sector could easily attain an employment growth rate of 4.7 per cent, creating desirable new jobs that make a strong contribution to the provincial economy and to communities across the province. The actions in the #BCTECH STRATEGY are endeavouring to put in place the conditions to create that higher level of growth. 7 It is important to note that the main differences between the two reports are how the tech sector is defined and the methodologies used. BC Stats defines the tech sector by tech company, and therefore counts only tech company employees. The talent report defines the tech sector by tech employees, and therefore counts tech workers across all industries. The former can give us information about the growth of tech companies in B.C., and that growth will include employment that is not tech related. The latter provides us information about the growth of tech jobs in B.C., whether those jobs are in tech-specific companies, or other types of companies. The two approaches are equally valid with each providing a slightly different perspective on a similar story While both agree that the tech sector is growing and that employment has reached over 100,000, they differ in the count of people employed by the tech sector. The BC Stats report shows us that the employment number is over 101,000. The talent report shows us that the employment number is over 148,000. (In the same vein, the BC 2015 Labour Market Outlook reports the number as over 161,000. This report uses a similar methodology as the BC TechTalent report, but with a more extensive list of tech occupations.) 12 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

15 Capital WE WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEM AND RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT. THE $100-MILLION BC TECH FUND is well on its way, but government wants to continue on this strong foundation by adding two new actions to the capital pillar. Pursue federal funding under the recently-announced clusters initiative As part of the federal government s innovation agenda, the 2016 federal budget included $800 million over four years for national innovative networks or clusters. We will continue to work with B.C. s industry leaders to develop a competitive bid for funding. Thus far, one session was held in February 2017, organized by the BC Tech Association and the Premier s Technology Council, which focused on identifying critical partnerships and opportunities to build clusters and advance business innovation. In March, a follow-up meeting was hosted by Professor Santa Ono, in his capacity as chief advisor for the Innovation Network, to convene industry, post-secondary leaders and research agencies from throughout the province to continue, and build on, the discussion on emerging and established clusters in B.C....INCREASING THE VENTURE CAPITAL BUDGET BY $3.5 MILLION PER YEAR... Expand the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) and Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit Subject to the approval of the Legislature, government is expanding these two credits. NOT ONLY do all existing rules for application to the IDMTC still apply, but as of February 22, 2017, eligibility has been expanded to include augmented reality and virtual reality products designed to entertain. AS OF 2017, government is increasing the venture capital budget by $3.5 million per year that s a 10 per cent increase which will allow for up to $11.7 million in additional equity financing for qualifying corporations annually. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, companies will be able to participate in both credits at the same time allowing for significant savings. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 13

16 Markets WE WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCESS NEW MARKETS. GOVERNMENT WANTS TO HELP FACILITATE companies access to customers whether those customers are within government or across the globe. We intend to do this by making British Columbia the most diversified economy in Canada by 2022 and by modernizing our procurement practices. We want selling to government to be easier and more transparent. Government is a key market for B.C. technology products. We want to be a strong reference customer, so companies can market their products to other jurisdictions and customers. We also want to take on more of the risk associated with the development of new products by being a bigger part of the growth chain. WE PROPOSE FIVE MORE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE MARKETS PILLAR. SELLING TO GOVERNMENT Create a Procurement Concierge Service Government wants to be industry s best customer. Working as part of the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens Services, the Procurement Concierge Service will act as a matchmaker between government s needs and tech companies of all sizes with solutions. This program will welcome new ideas by connecting buyers and vendors through self-serve registries with problems and opportunities; provide concierge service to support vendors and buyers; and fund specific opportunities through a centrally administered program. Establish an Innovative Ideas Fund This fund of $2 million annually for three years will encourage the purchase of new, innovative technology products. Funding will be available for products that are: SUBMITTED BY B.C. VENDORS and are seen as beneficial by the B.C. government; INNOVATIVE and not already purchased by government; and TECHNOLOGY-RELATED. 14 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

17 Pilot a Startup in Residence program Government and technology companies will come together to rapidly co-develop, test and launch solutions to real-world public sector challenges in B.C. s Startup in Residence Pilot Project. Modelled after a successful program in San Francisco, the pilot will spur innovation in the public sector while helping companies demonstrate product/market fit and gain customer validation. RFPs have been launched to find innovative partners for the project. Successful candidates will gain insights into working with government, develop their own IP, and have the chance to sign multi-year contracts for future licence fees or maintenance work. SELLING TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS Expand B.C. s Export Navigator pilot Introduced in October 2016, the 12-month Export Navigator pilot helps growthoriented businesses become successful, profitable exporters by connecting them to the programs and support services that are specific to their needs. Export Navigator offers services that help businesses, such as homegrown tech companies, grow from small operations with viable products or services into growth-stage companies exporting around the world. Designed with growth in mind, government plans to expand the pilot from four to six regional communities across B.C. in Expand U.S. Trade and Investment Offices These offices, along with their uniquely qualified staff, are already creating trade and investment opportunities for B.C. throughout the world. In particular, the B.C. presence in the United States has been generating a significant return on investment for the province since its establishment in In 2015/16, U.S. Trade and Investment Representatives facilitated 19 trade deals, 68 per cent of which were valued over $100,000, and $217 million in foreign direct investments. By expanding the B.C. presence to offices in Seattle and Silicon Valley, we plan to increase investment in B.C.; entice tech companies to expand into B.C.; connect B.C. companies with new clients and strategic partners; and attract Canadian entrepreneurs and technology professionals back home, all while creating a conduit for the marketing and promotion of immigration pathways to B.C. and promoting the B.C. brand. This is projected to increase investment in B.C. s tech sector by $100 million by year three....spur INNOVATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHILE HELPING COMPANIES DEMONSTRATE PRODUCT/ MARKET FIT... #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 15

18 Data WE WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCESS AND USE GOVERNMENT DATA FOR THE BENEFIT OF CITIZENS. WITH EASIER ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT DATA, the tech sector will have another tool for generating job-creating innovations. Create a Centre for Data-Driven Innovation (CDDI) in B.C. A year ago, we said we would look at how public sector data could be better used for the benefit of British Columbians. Today, the vision is to create a single, safe and trusted platform to make new discoveries with government data that create jobs. With first-class privacy and security measures, a Centre for Data-Driven Innovation will provide a secure place where government data can be safely linked and analyzed to solve real-world problems. It will encourage innovative uses of data and guide the translation of data insights into government actions, while protecting confidentiality and privacy. IN 2015, THE UK USED ITS DATA TO PREVENT FRAUD AND SAVE $365 MILLION. NEW ZEALAND USED ITS DATA TO HELP CITIZENS RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND SAVE $1 BILLION IN SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS. NEW YORK CITY USED ITS DATA TO BUILD THE NYC BUSINESS ATLAS, MAKING HIGH-QUALITY DATA FREE AND USABLE SO SMALL BUSINESSES CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ON WHERE AND WHEN TO GROW. & USES FOR DATA THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CASCADIA URBAN ANALYTICS COOPERATIVE TO USE DATA TO HELP CITIES AND COMMUNITIES ADDRESS CHALLENGES FROM TRAFFIC TO HOMELESSNESS. THE COOPERATIVE IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO A $1-MILLION GIFT FROM MICROSOFT. 16 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

19 GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES that many rural communities in our province are experiencing lower growth and employment rates than the urban areas. Our uncertain global economy has led to lower commodity prices, and economic declines in other provinces and some of our trading partners. This is having a negative impact on over 140 rural communities that directly depend on natural resource development for their livelihood. Our Rural Economic Development Strategy addresses these concerns in more detail, but, in short, innovation and technology are part of the solution to diversifying our rural economies and creating opportunities for growth. TAKE A LOOK AT JUST SOME OF WHAT S ALREADY GOING ON SPOTLIGHT ON TECH FIRMS OUTSIDE OF THE LOWER MAINLAND CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AT OUR WORLD- CLASS POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS THE TECH COMPANIES INSIDE AND AROUND PRINCE GEORGE EMPLOY ABOUT 830 PEOPLE. This includes companies like Sparkgeo that builds next generation web mapping applications for clients across the world. The tech firms in and around Kamloops employ more than 1,400 people. It s home to Dr. John Church s work into the use of drones to track cattle over rangeland, detecting sickness and managing pastures. The tech community in Nanaimo employs around 1,500 people, and is home to idus Controls. idus Controls is a leading-edge intellectual propertybased technology company. They specialize in the development of algorithmic controls with their primary focus on their SensMitTM Mesh to Cloud environmental sensing platform. The Okanagan tech sector employs about 3,700 people and is a more than $1-billion industry annually. Armstrong is home to Passive Remediation Systems Ltd. (PRSI). It is a recognized leading phytoremediation company that specializes in the use of Intensive Precision AgroForestry to clean up and mitigate the effects of environmental contamination of air, water, and soil. For example, poplar trees are planted on landfill sites to dispose of landfill waste water run-off in an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective way. THE B.C. GOVERNMENT IS MAKING RECORD INVESTMENTS in modern, safe infrastructure projects across the province. Over the next three years, government is directly investing over $1 billion in planned capital expenses in the post-secondary sector. Some recent areas of investment that will enhance tech training in B.C. include: } UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA IN PRINCE GEORGE: the government is providing $2.62 million for a new Wood Innovation Research Lab. } UBC OKANAGAN CAMPUS IN KELOWNA: the government is providing $11.3 million toward a new Teaching and Learning Centre and a number of sustainability and infrastructure upgrades. } THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY IN KAMLOOPS: the government is providing $7 million for a new Training and Technology Centre. } VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY IN NANAIMO: the government is providing $16.5 million for a new Health and Science Centre. B.C. s post-secondary institutions are an important part of the innovation network in B.C. Their partnerships with industry lead to commercialization, talent generation, and our universities conduct more than two-fifths of all the research done in B.C. 8 For example, 50 life sciences research centres are located in B.C., representing eight centres of excellence and $1.5 billion in research infrastructure. This strong academic and research community has spun off more than100 companies, raising over $2 billion in private investments. 8 BCBC, Innovation For Jobs and Productivity, (September 2016), p. 10 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 17

20 BC INNOVATION COUNCIL AND THEIR REGIONAL INNOVATION TOUR A CROWN AGENCY OF THE PROVINCE OF B.C., the BC Innovation Council encourages the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies in order to meet the needs of industry anywhere in B.C. They accelerate technology commercialization by supporting startups and developing entrepreneurs. With their partners from Smithers to Victoria, the council delivers programs and initiatives that promote company growth. Over the past five years, their widespread program to support entrepreneurs (BC Venture Acceleration Program) created 1,640 jobs, attracted $196 million in investment and generated more than $81.6 million in revenues provincewide. One of their partners, Accelerate Okanagan, has released an impact report stating that they have helped their participating companies to create more than 650 new jobs since The BC INNOVATION COUNCIL recently completed their Regional Innovation Tour through Prince George, Victoria, Kamloops, Castlegar, Terrace, Kelowna and Nanaimo. The tour connected local innovators with industry and government in order to discuss challenges and apply new ideas and technology as solutions. In order to even better connect the council with rural B.C., government has announced the appointment of a new rural representative to the BC Innovation Council. AGRITECH CHALLENGE LAUNCHED AT THE GROWING THE FUTURE TOGETHER: BC AGRIFOOD AND SEAFOOD CONFERENCE in November 2016, the Agritech Innovation Challenge brings together innovators with industry to develop a product or process to enhance productivity, sustainability and resiliency in B.C. s agrifood sector. With agrifood as one of the largest manufacturing sectors in B.C., the development and adoption of innovative agritech solutions represent a significant opportunity for B.C. producers and processors to continue to provide British Columbians with fresh and local foods, become increasingly competitive on the world stage, be better prepared to adapt to changing climate conditions, and support tens of thousands of jobs in B.C. INTERNET CONNECTIVITY ONCE CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS UNDER THE CURRENT PROVINCIALLY-FUNDED PROGRAM HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED, we will have achieved 97 per cent of our stated goal of 100 per cent of British Columbians with access to high-speed Internet connectivity by the end of Connecting British Columbia is a multi-year grant program. It helps to pay for infrastructure required to deliver high-speed Internet connectivity to homes and businesses in rural locations throughout British Columbia. So far, 24 projects and more than 150 communities have access to telecommunications services to enable adoption of technology innovations. The program has just been awarded $40 million to continue this work. The BC Broadband Satellite Initiative has connected over 4,200 households in B.C. s most remote areas, and with Provincial support, the First Nations-led Pathways to Technology project has connected 197 First Nations communities. This spring, five rest areas along provincial highways will have Wi-Fi installed, with 20 more being delivered in the coming years. B.C. s beautiful and rugged terrain has its challenges, but we are rising to that challenge and making sure all British Columbians have access to high-speed Internet to connect to health services, education and the global economy #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

21 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 19

22 Progress in the #BCTECH Strategy TALENT WE WILL DEEPEN THE B.C. TECHNOLOGY TALENT POOL WE HAVE BEEN RESPONDING to the talent challenge through our SKILLS FOR JOBS BLUEPRINT for the past three years. We have been re-engineering funding at our post-secondary institutions to target training for in-demand careers, including tech. Since releasing the strategy, we have introduced new curricula and coding in our K-9 classrooms, and funded training for new immigrants, Aboriginal Peoples, women and people receiving employment insurance (EI). We ve invested in post-secondary work experience and new seats, and streamlined the application process for the Provincial Nominee Program. SINCE OCTOBER 2016 PROFESSOR SANTA ONO was appointed chief advisor to B.C. s new Innovation Network. $45 MILLION in funding from the Province for SFU was announced for a five-storey, 15,000-sq-metre Energy Systems Engineering Building. The building will house a new multidisciplinary engineering program, as well as specialized space for mechatronics graduate students. $400,000 in funding was announced to further develop the tech incubator program, Technology Entrepreneurship@SFU. $250,000 in funding was announced for BCIT to support enhanced fast-track technology programming, including the two-year Computer Information Technology diploma program. TARGETED OPERATING GRANTS now account for approximately 22 per cent of the $1.86-billion budget for public post-secondary institutions. The goal is to target about 25 per cent of operating grants by to education and training that supports in-demand occupations, like technology. This is up from approximately 10 per cent before Some examples of how post-secondary education institutions have aligned education and training to labour market demand include: College of New Caledonia applied science (engineering) certificate; Okanagan College and The University of the Fraser Valley computer information systems; Vancouver Island University information technology and applied systems. TEACHER TRAINING in coding began. Between November 2016 and October 2017, there will be 12 workshops in six regions throughout the province. Over 100 teachers received training at these sessions and now have the tools they need to effectively train their colleagues, and teach students. 20 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

23 30 SCHOOL DISTRICTS each received $5,000 from the Province s Skills Training Access Grant. The Skills Training Access Grant helps school districts connect students with training by providing funding each year to qualified districts. 53 DISTRICTS participated in the Province s Shoulder Tappers program in the 2016/17 school year: 12 districts received funding from the Northern Development Initiatives Trust, eight districts in two partnerships shared $375,000; and 33 districts received a $17,900 grant. Shoulder Tappers help districts make sure career co-ordinators and recruitment specialists work oneon-one mentoring students, encouraging them with positive input and advice. The CANADA-BC JOB FUND Project-Based Training funded tech training, including approximately $274,370 for the Aboriginal Software Tester Training Project and approximately $322,940 for the Data Networking Technician project for immigrants, Aboriginal Peoples and youth participants. Under the CANADA-BC JOB GRANT (CJG) program, dedicated funding of $1 million was allocated to the tech sector in 2016/17. CJG exceeded this target with $1.5 million in funding going to tech-sector employers to train new or current employees. The CANADA-BC JOB GRANT has helped tech-sector employers train 1,350 new and existing staff to date. The TECHSTART TRAINING PROGRAM for refugees in B.C., funded under the Canada-BC Job Grant program, brought ISS of BC, tech training providers and tech employers together to train 13 refugees for jobs in the tech-sector. One participant has completed the program and is currently working. Eight are completing training, and four have started. The B.C. government contribution was $129,000. A LABOUR MARKET PARTNERSHIP with the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology received $26,655 to study ways for businesses and job-seekers to benefit from using new technologies such as 3D printers and scanners. A PROJECT-BASED LABOUR MARKET TRAINING program based out of Delta is receiving $310,000 for Fast Track to IT. The program will see up to 28 immigrant job-seekers receive paid training to work as information systems analysts through classroom instruction and on-the-job work experience with local employers. WE HAVE BEEN RE- ENGINEERING FUNDING AT OUR POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO TARGET TRAINING FOR IN-DEMAND CAREERS, INCLUDING TECH. ONE SECTOR-LED REPORT was released on workforce development challenges. It articulated labour challenges, including the number of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduates ready to enter the tech sector, brain drain to other jurisdictions, challenges with the immigration system, and training and supports to help British Columbians transition into tech occupations. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 21

24 CAPITAL WE WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEM AND RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT. WHEN WE CONSULTED with the tech industry three years ago, the sector told us that access to capital was their most pressing issue, and government responded by creating the $100-million BC Tech Fund. Since being launched in October 2016, the BC Tech Fund, managed by Kensington Capital Partners, has invested in B.C.- based Vanedge Capital (a venture capital firm specializing in investing in emerging technology companies in Cloud Computing and Infrastructure, SaaS, Cybersecurity and Digital Media), and co-invested in B.C.-based Mojio (a software developer specializing in connecting cars to the Internet). For Mojio, the fund is, in part, helping to hire more engineers in Vancouver. The BC Tech Fund will be a catalyst for economic growth. The fund will benefit tech companies across B.C. by making more early stage capital available to them from within B.C. by investing in B.C.-based venture capital funds and making some co-investments into B.C.-based companies. This helps ensure B.C. tech companies can remain in B.C., grow their business, and create jobs thereby growing B.C. s economy. Since the strategy was put in place last year, we ve also achieved our goal of increasing the number of companies using tax credits (though we want the number to continue to grow), and we ve continued to invest in our strong research environment. SINCE OCTOBER 2016 The BC TECH FUND has invested in Mojio, and Vanedge Capital II. BCTECHFund In 2016, the BC KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT FUND awarded $30 million to 55 projects most recently to UBC for research projects that include new cancer screening technologies, improved treatment and mitigation of diseases that impair brain function, examining natural gas-processing, and outcomes leading to more sustainable, healthy crops. The WEST COAST WAVE INITIATIVE at the University of Victoria was awarded $150,000 from the INNOVATIVE CLEAN ENERGY FUND. EARLY-STAGE ENTREPRENEURS and startups in B.C. s cleantech sector were supported through BC Innovation Council funding for the Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre in Surrey. As of Feb. 1, 2017, the SMALL BUSINESS VENTURE CAPITAL tax credit program has helped to raise more than $103 million in investment out of a total $116 million available for This is roughly 10 per cent ahead of program uptake at the same time last year. Subject to the approval of the Legislature: Effective Oct. 1, 2017, the PST TAX RATE ON ELECTRICITY will be reduced to 3.5 per cent from 7 per cent, with the goal of phasing it out completely. Eliminating PST on electricity is estimated to save small- and medium-sized businesses about $50 million per year. These savings will allow business owners to reinvest in additional equipment, increase wages for employees or adopt new technologies. The SMALL BUSINESS CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE will be reduced to 2 per cent from 2.5 per cent, which means that B.C. will have the second lowest small business tax rate in the country. The SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT is extended for five years to Aug. 31, This program is designed to encourage research and development in B.C. that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes. 22 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

25 MARKETS WE WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCESS NEW MARKETS. SINCE THE LAUNCH of the strategy, we have made it easier to understand export processes through our Investment and Export Plans and Export Navigator pilot, and we ve continued investments in connectivity, especially in our rural and remote areas. We have also delivered on new online tools, like the brand new BC Bid Resources website designed to provide plain-language guidance and information to vendors wanting to sell to government. GAMES, MOVIES AND MORE! B.C. IS HOME TO THE WORLD S LARGEST CLUSTER OF TOP VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION STUDIOS. THERE ARE MORE THAN VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION STUDIOS LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE, INCLUDING YETI FARM AND BARDEL ANIMATION IN KELOWNA, AND CLOUDHEAD GAMES IN COOMBS. SINCE OCTOBER 2016 The #BCTECH SUMMIT 2016 was a sold-out success. Meetings facilitated by the summit resulted in an estimated $4 million in investment, 33 new jobs, and more than $800,000 in deal flow. The BC DEVELOPER S EXCHANGE continued to supply opportunities, including to the company AirSenze, who launched their BCHighways app, which uses DriveBC data attained through the site. The BC Innovation Council completed their first REGIONAL INNOVATION TOUR. The EXPORT NAVIGATOR PILOT project was launched in Prince George, Vernon, Comox and Port Alberni. The CONNECTING BRITISH COLUMBIA program was awarded a $40-million grant. Deals signed by B.C. companies at AIRSHOW CHINA 2016 in Zhuhai, China, brought Canadian expertise to a growing Chinese market and are creating new opportunities here in B.C. #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 23

26 Conclusion This renewed #BCTECH STRATEGY will continue the initiatives we have already begun and enhance our efforts where more can be done. This strategy will continue to focus on deepening our talent pool through training and new immigration measures; improving access to capital; improving our already competitive tax structure; further supporting our first-class research environments; continuing to support commercialization; continuing the spread of Internet connectivity; modernizing government procurement; and create a safe platform for the access and use of government data. THESE COMBINED ACTIONS WILL HELP SUPPORT THESE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS: JOB GROWTH in the tech sector will remain above the provincial average and reach 120,000 by A THRIVING TECH SECTOR MAKES ALL INDUSTRIES MORE COMPETITIVE. INVESTMENT in the B.C. tech sector will be increased by up to $100 million by B.C. WILL BECOME A LEADER in the innovation economy by working to increase the talent pool by 1,000 grads per year by 2022, with increased graduates in regions throughout the province. INCREASE the number of tech companies with 10 or more employees by 20 per cent by The technology industry affects B.C. s bottom line directly, and it also indirectly affects the bottom line of every industry in this province. A thriving tech sector makes all industries more competitive through improvements in productivity, quality and safety. Technology is B.C. s competitive advantage. Government will continue to consult with industry about the best next steps for growth, and, as we define new targets, the #BCTECH STRATEGY will adapt to capture opportunities and create growth throughout B.C. rural and urban alike. Working together, we will continue to grow, strengthen and diversify our economy. Working together, we will continue to show Canada and the world that OUR OPPORTUNITY IS HERE. 24 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

27 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 25

28 Appendix A List of New Initiatives LIST OF NEW TARGETS Overarching aspirational goals Job growth in the tech sector will remain above the provincial average and reach 120,000 by Investment in the B.C. tech sector will be increased by up to $100 million by B.C. will become a leader in the innovation economy by working to increase the talent pool by 1,000 grads per year by 2022, with increased graduates in regions throughout the province. Increase the number of tech companies with 10 or more employees by 20 per cent by TALENT For our B.C. Grads: Our goal is to increase the number of tech grads by 1,000 a year by 2022 Expand work-integrated learning in existing programs Make the funding available to double the number of placements in the Innovator Skills Initiative Make the funding available to double the number of placements in the BC tech Co-op Grants program Increase the number of placements in the Mitacs program by two-thirds Create B.C. s new Innovation Network Create the BC Science and Technology Research Chairs Program For British Columbians who want to enter the tech workforce from another field or specialty: Continue the Canada-BC Job Grant Work with the First Nations Technology Council on their program Bridging to Technology For Newcomers: Work with the federal government to increase the number of skilled immigrants in B.C. s tech sector CAPITAL Pursue federal funding under the recently-announced clusters initiative Expand the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) and Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit MARKETS Selling to government Create a Procurement Concierge Service Establish an Innovative Ideas Fund Pilot a Startup in Residence program Selling to other jurisdictions Expand B.C. s Export Navigator pilot Expand U.S. Trade and Investment Offices DATA Create a Centre for Data-Driven Innovation (CDDI) in B.C. 26 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

29 Appendix B List of Initial Targets 1 CAPITAL INVESTING IN A NEW VENTURE CAPITAL FUND $100 million investment to expand the availability of venture capital in B.C. and address the early stage (A-round) funding gap (though we also recognize the need for access to capital at later stages for continued company growth) CONTINUE OUR COMPETITIVE TAX RATES AND CREDITS IN PROGRESS COMPLETE 2 Increase the number of B.C. technology companies claiming the Digital Animation or Visual Effects (DAVE) credit or the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) 3 4 Continue B.C. s Small Business Venture Capital tax credit program which provides $38.5 million of tax credits annually CONTINUE TO BUILD A STRONG RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT IN B.C. Genome BC will continue to facilitate turning important insights from genomics into new diagnostic and treatment services 5 Attract and keep top research talent in B.C. to generate the development and application of new ideas in areas of key importance to the health system through funding to The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) 6 Revised the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund criteria to focus on provincial government priorities 7 Provide funding to post-secondary institutions to increase commercialization potential #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 27

30 TALENT INDUSTRY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS IN THE POST-SECONDARY SYSTEM IN PROGRESS COMPLETE 8 Target funding to programming that supports occupations in demand in the technology sector as part of government s initiative to re-engineer 25% of operating grants to support high-demand occupations 9 Align student financial aid funding to expand eligibility for the B.C. Completion Grant for Graduates to include students completing programs related to the technology sector 10 Continue to promote the use of the B.C. Tech Co-op grants as part of the BCIC Tech Works program 11 Recognize the importance of hands-on experience for students proposals for new technology-related degree programs will need to include co-operative education or work integrated learning components TIMELY AND RELEVANT LABOUR-MARKET INFORMATION 12 Provide better information to career educators and their students about a wider range of careers in B.C. Tech 13 Support the technology sector to customize labour market information, strategies, and tools that address labour market priorities as part of the Sector Labour Market Partnerships Program 14 Include an annual provincial 10-year forecast of job openings by occupation, including technology sector occupations, in the B.C. Labour Market Outlook APPLIED LEARNING AND ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT 15 Support technology sector employers to train/up-skill new and existing employees with supporting funding from the Canada-BC Job Grant 16 Build on the first round of coding academies hosted at five public post-secondary institutions 17 Build on the Mechatronics Technology Entrepreneurship Incubator at SFU 18 Encourage use of the BC Innovator Skills Initiative as part of the BCIC Tech Works program Support Mitacs programs that enable graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to undertake applied 19 research projects relating to their expertise within industry 20 Ideas from Campus to Industry program in partnership with the Okanagan campus of UBC, government has funded industry/post-secondary institutions (PSI) consultations targeted on identifying actions to increase partnerships between industry and PSIs in the Interior STREAMLINED IN-MIGRATION PATHWAYS AFTER B.C. HAS MAXIMIZED OUR LOCAL TALENT 21 Help technology companies that need to recruit and access workers from outside Canada through the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program and work with the federal government to improve their permanent immigration pathways 22 Work with other provinces and the federal government to improve labour mobility and increase our ability to attract workers to B.C. 23 Provide funding for a foreign qualifications recognition project that will help new immigrants fit their skills into alternative, in-demand careers in B.C. s technology sector 24 Promote the federal government s Express Entry program for workers with in-demand technology skills DEDICATED PROGRAMS IN THE K-12 EDUCATION SYSTEM Phase in new K-12 curriculum over three years beginning this school year, allowing the opportunity for 25 over 600,000 students across the province to experience new learning standards in mathematics, sciences, and other curricula. These standards develop the foundational knowledge and skills for success in the B.C. technology sector and other technology-enabled sectors 26 Once the new curriculum is implemented in 2016/17, every student will have the opportunity to learn coding by the end of Grade 9 27 New Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies education: an experiential, hands on learning through design and creation that includes skills and concepts from Information Technology and Technology Education 28 Promote creative thinking as a core competency across the entire curriculum, including technical and business education 29 Increase the number of high school students earning elective graduation credit for participating in Work Experience Electives in the technology sector 30 Give students increased access to work integrated learning programs in the technology sector enabling them to earn credits toward high school graduation while also earning credits towards a post-secondary certificate or diploma 31 Support student opportunities to learn coding in school and outside school through courses and special activities such as the Hour of Code 28 #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL

31 MARKETS IN PROGRESS COMPLETE MAKING IT EASIER TO SELL TO GOVERNMENT 32 Centralize a procurement program of green technologies to accelerate their adoption by local government and other public sector organizations (for example the LED Street Lights Across BC procurement program) 33 Increase the demand for clean tech solutions through the Carbon Neutral Capital Program for ministries, K-12 schools, health authorities, public post-secondary institutions, provincial Crown corporations and agencies 34 Continue to streamline procurement processes analogous to the process used to create the short-form request for proposals. A streamlined General Services Agreement is currently being piloted 35 Continue to update plain language, online procurement resources for tech companies looking to do business with government, including guidance, videos and templates 36 Introduce modern technology and tools to automate and streamline the entire procurement process 37 Continue to explore the use of the Open Procurement Hub a leading edge planning approach allowing us to collaborate with the vendor community in an open/live moderated forum to answer questions about the contractual needs of government 38 Provided an opportunity for B.C. technology companies to participate in face-to-face networking discussions with key government decision makers as part of the B2B meetings at the #BCTECH Summit 2016 in order to discuss opportunities for innovation and future partnership. This opportunity signals the initial kick-off for ongoing discussions 39 Continue the experiment at to understand how new approaches to open data, open source code, open Application Program Interfaces (APIs) and open innovation can bring about both new business ideas and streamlined ways for the public sector to buy software innovations Establish a working group involving the Ministry of Health, industry and health sector partners to develop 40 policy, strategies and tools that will enable uptake of innovations that improve outcomes, productivity and sustainability of the healthcare system MAKING IT EASIER TO SHARE IDEAS 41 Start work to identify specific examples of where access to data across and within public sectors can be united in ways to improve public policy and programs, and inform next steps for increasing data available to B.C. companies to boost economic growth (BC Centre for Data Innovation) Okanagan Centre for Innovation with provincial funding of up to $6 million, it will provide low-cost, 42 flexible space for startups who have graduated from the Accelerate Okanagan Venture Acceleration Program and are still at a venture stage. Construction is underway and is scheduled for completion in early BC Agrifood Venture Acceleration Program technology and agrifood entrepreneurs can now benefit from the program MAKING B.C. THE MOST CONNECTED PROVINCE 44 Committed to providing high-speed Internet access to 100% of British Columbians by the end of Improve the reliability of high-speed Internet access for northern and coastal communities FACILITATING BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH EXPORTS Make it easier to find and use services offered by government that equip businesses to expand and sell to new markets Improve our competitiveness by developing Sector Investment and Export Plans, one each for life sciences, cleantech, ICT, and digital media Realize a 10% increase in the number of tech companies connecting with buyers outside of B.C. by delivering targeted activities in our key markets, including international trade shows, government-led trade missions, and through international marketing BritishColumbia.ca new features on the province s digital hub for promoting B.C. s sectors, communities and opportunities to the world ENCOURAGING COMMERCIALIZATION Increase adoption of cleantech through government s LNG technology fund, as well as legislation stating that the entire B.C. public sector be carbon neutral by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero each year #BCTECH STRATEGY: ONE-YEAR UPDATE AND RENEWAL 29

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