"Change brings opportunities" brings awards

Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest has been recognized for its delivery of the economic forum of November of last year called "Change Brings Opportunity".

The two day conference which attracted delegates from across North America, explored the potential impact of the container port to the community and how it could change the dynamics of trade both locally and in Western Canada.

For their efforts in organizing the conference, Community Futures won the 2007 Minister’s Award for Excellence, which is awarded annually to one of the 34 Community Futures offices in British Columbia by the Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada.

The Daily News reviewed the impact of the conference and the glad tidings brought to Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest by Rona Ambrose, the Conservative Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Conference organizers honoured
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, April 13, 2007

The Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest has won the 2007 Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation for the successful delivery of its “Change Brings Opportunities” conference.

The Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation is given annually to one of the 34 Community Futures offices in British Columbia by the Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in creating an innovative local solution to a local challenge, and showcases that solution to British Columbians. Community Futures offices are part of Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Western Canada Business Service Network.

“Canada’s government is committed to helping communities across British Columbia and of the rest of Canada to compete and prosper in the global marketplace,” said Rona Ambrose, president of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “I congratulate the Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest for demonstrating leadership and bringing industry, business and government together to develop a strong and viable community.”

‘Change Brings Opportunities’ brought more than 350 delegates from Alaska, Washington State, California, Ontario, Alberta and Inuvik to Prince Rupert to explore the economic opportunities of converting the Prince Rupert Port into a container terminal.
Representatives from industry, First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments attended.

They collaborated with local stakeholders and citizens to discuss implications, including increased access to the Asia-Pacific market, an increased need to attract and retain skilled workers, and an expanding local population.

“Results from the ‘Change Brings Opportunities’ conference will lead to greater economic opportunity for those operating businesses in Prince Rupert, along the Northern corridor and across Canada,” said Bob Wright, Chair of the Community Futures Development Association of B.C. “This event reflects Community Futures’ dedication to addressing needs, developing capacity and fostering economic development in rural B.C. communities.”

Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest offers a variety of services to the North Coast region. Its mission statement is to “actively contribute to building a diversified and sustainable economy for the Pacific Northwest through entrepreneurial development and participation in regional economic planning”. Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest also offers loans to small and medium-sized businesses, and has a business resource centre available to members of the general public at no cost.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the Western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.