VANCOUVER – Investment in mineral exploration in B.C. has soared to a record-high $265 million, making 2006 the best year ever in B.C.’s mining history, Minister of State for Mining Bill Bennett announced.

FORT ST. JOHN – The Jan. 17, 2007 sale of oil and gas rights in northeastern British Columbia generated $44 million in bonus bids.

VICTORIA – New construction and development throughout British Columbia has hit a record assessed value of $19.5 billion, up 55 per cent from a year ago, Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for BC Assessment, announced.

VICTORIA – British Columbia finished 2006 on a strong note, creating nearly 10,000 jobs in December for a total of over 65,000 new jobs in 2006, Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced.

VICTORIA – The Province has released a Conference Board report on the impact of the B.C. - Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) on B.C.’s economy.

VICTORIA – The Dec. 13, 2006 sale of oil and gas rights in northeast British Columbia generated $26.4 million in bonus bids, bringing the total for 2006 to $630 million, Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, announced.

VANCOUVER – Industry leadership of British Columbia’s skills training system continues to expand with the approval by the Industry Training Authority of three new industry training organizations in vital economic sectors: tourism, industrial/commercial/institutional construction, and resource industries, announced Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen.

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s economic strengths, continued demand for skilled labour, and the status of the U.S. economy were the main topics of discussion at the Economic Forecast Council meeting today, Finance Minister Carole Taylor said.

VICTORIA – Opportunities for mining investments to strengthen relationships with one of the largest consumers of metals and coal on earth were successfully highlighted at the 2006 China Mining Congress, said Bill Bennett, Minister of State for Mining, who has returned from leading a trade delegation to Beijing.

VICTORIA – Stronger tax assessments from 2005 and one-time federal transfers are pushing British Columbia’s forecast surplus to $2.15 billion, despite continued caution on commodity prices and the slowing U.S. economy, Finance Minister Carole Taylor announced with the release of the second Quarterly Report for 2006/07.

SHANGHAI – Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled Tourism British Columbia’s China Tourism Marketing Campaign at the China International Travel Mart trade show in Shanghai today.

TOKYO – Premier Gordon Campbell opened the Canada Wood Pavilion at the Japan Home and Building Show today to promote the efforts of B.C. and Canadian companies to grow exports to the Japanese market.

VICTORIA – An opportunity for mining investments will help strengthen relationships with one of the largest consumers of metals on earth, said Bill Bennett, Minister of State for Mining, as he left for the 2006 China Mining Congress in Beijing, China.

ABBOTSFORD – A study has shown that B.C.’s farmers’ markets contribute $118.5 million annually to the provincial economy, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell announced.

VICTORIA – B.C.’s ports, forestry, tourism and alternative energy will be among the business opportunities highlighted by Premier Gordon Campbell as he promotes B.C. as Canada’s Pacific Gateway on a mission to Japan and China, including a visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s young people have a new way to find out about careers in the trades, thanks to a web site sponsored by the Province’s Industry Training Authority.