May is almost here. So time for the First Thursday City Conversation at SFU Vancouver:
Beyond Condos, Immigrants and Drugs: What’s the Future of Metro Vancouver’s Economy?
When: May 3, 2012
Time: 12:30-1:30 pm
Location: Harbour Centre, Room 1425
Yes, there will be more people and more commerce, given Vancouver’s role as a port. But what commerce, and what can we lever from our location and infrastructure? More exports of coal, oil and lumber to Asia? More imported food and goods?
Or is there a different future for the region? More tech, biotech and movie growth?
What issues arise: Less agricultural land? More industrial reserves? A second metropolitan centre? Competitive threats or unrealized opportunities?
Get the big picture from Christina DeMarco, Regional Development Manager for Metro Vancouver, and Lee Malleau, CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission.
No need to register; just bring your lunch and show up.
This looks to be an interesting discussion. I would suggest that the future of MetroVancouver’s economy shouldn’t lie within a particular sector or industry. If we are to bring forth a sustainable new economy, we must instead look to develop how we approach the economy. Focus on collaboration, diversity and creativity…how do we work together to create value and save resources and build stronger communities. The opportunity lies in how we do business together, not what business we are in.
The most productive and vibrant ecosystems in nature are diverse and varied. This should be our philosophy towards economic development. This should be our goal and legacy as we strive to become the Greenest City. To simply become a mecca for cleantech or biotech would be a failure in light of the potential that lies before us.