Government of Canada Supports an Inclusive and Innovative West Coast Marine Sector

Funding will create opportunities for underrepresented groups in the marine sector and benefit small- and medium-sized enterprises in Western Canada

VANCOUVER, Nov. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) will receive support from the Government of Canada to stimulate growth in key areas of British Columbia's marine sector.

Today, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) announced $1 million in funding to ABCMI during their second annual Business Opportunities Conference.

With support from the Government of Canada, ABCMI plans to engage women, Indigenous Peoples, and youth in networking, training, employment, and business opportunities in the sector. The association will also explore and develop labour market solutions under the BC Government's Sector Labour Market Partnership Program.

To showcase and support the growth of BC's marine sector, ABCMI will host local supplier development and collaborative events between industry, academic, and training institutions, as well as different levels of governments – including this year's ABCMI Business Opportunities Conference. ABCMI will also work with industry to organize domestic and foreign trade missions to market the West Coast marine industry.

Quick Facts

• The marine industry is a significant contributor to the BC economy with over 1,000 companies and 21,000 workers across the province.
• In the next decade, the marine sector will need to fill 16,600 jobs due to retirements, existing vacancies, and a projected sector growth of 5,500 new positions.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to work with the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries. This project supports Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan to diversify the workplace to include women, Indigenous Peoples, and youth to grow the marine innovation network on the West Coast, and help small companies access procurement opportunities with larger customers."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the ABCMI's efforts to engage Indigenous Peoples, women and youth in British Columbia's marine sector. With new career opportunities emerging in the National Shipbuilding Strategy and within the local industry, we welcome the opportunity to strengthen and diversify the region's labour market."
- The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada

"The ABCMI works to strengthen British Columbia's industrial marine sector so our companies can prosper and our people can grow. This funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada will help us to further our mission to showcase our diverse and innovative industry across Canada and around the world."
- Leann Collins, Director Projects and Stakeholder Relations, Association of British Columbia Marine Industries

Additional Links

• Association of British Columbia Marine Industries
• National Shipbuilding Strategy

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

For further information: Ben Stanford, Regional Communications Manager, Western Economic Diversification Canada, 604-365-8050, [e-mail]; Alex Rueben, Executive Director, Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI), 778-430-2264, [e-mail]