Business groups and the Opposition Liberals say the budget lacks a post-pandemic vision and could have offered more targeted supports to small business, particularly tourism. BC Liberal finance critic Mike Bernier says the government talks about light at the end of the tunnel but doesn t mention how long the tunnel is. The Vancouver Board of Trade says it s not clear this budget puts the province on the fast track in an increasingly competitive world. The budget includes $3.5 billion more than last year on infrastructure to build or improve hospitals, schools, transit and roads creating $85,000 jobs.
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VANCOUVER Is there an appetite in Vancouver to bid for another Olympic Games? The former CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games (VANOC), John Furlong, is making a pitch to the business community Friday. Furlong is the keynote speaker for a virtual event hosted by the Vancouver Board of Trade to discuss the potential benefits of hosting another Olympics. According to the BOT, the 2010 games generated more than $1 billion in local development and attracted more then 600,000 visitors to the region. The games united the country and showcased Vancouver and Whistler to the world. In previous interviews with CTV News Vancouver, Furlong says the work of putting together a bid to host the 2030 Olympic Winter Games has been underway for a year and a half already.
The Canadian Press obtained a copy of Furlong s speech to the VBT.
Cutting and pasting 2010 into a 2030 proposal was considered, but that option wasn t compelling, Furlong said. Cost, structure and scope all very different, Furlong said. The compact plan of 2010 abandoned and replaced by a regional, more inclusive plan, that focuses on delivering a province-wide experience and advantage. From three B.C. communities, as was the case in 2010, to as many as eight or nine provided minimum venue and hosting requirements can be achieved.
Vancouver and Whistler would remain among host sites because of 2010 sport venues still operational, such as the speedskating oval in Richmond, and the sliding track and ski jumps in Whistler.