Vancouver and Lower Maintand
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== industrial Development Commission

a . -wBNECESY

1177 WEST HASTINGS STREET, VANCOUVER 1, CANADA + Phone 683-2448 - Cables “Metrocom”

May 15, 1972

tf
The Cerporation of the City of Port Coquitlam RY
2272 McAllister Avenue i ‘

Port Coquitlam, British Columbia MAY 23 197

Attention: Mr. R.A. Freeman
City Clerk

Dear Mr. Freeman: .

This letter is to inform you of decisions reached at a meeting of the Executive of the
Vancouver and Lower Mainland Industrial Development Commission on May 4, 1972.

The Commission has occupied an important position in the economic life of Vancouver
and the Lower Mainland since 1952. Its establishment came about as a result of
recognition, particularly on the part of municipalities, that steps were required to
diversify the economic base of the area. The Commission's progrom has been supported
Financially by its member municipalities and by industries ar4 businesses, in considerable
numbers, who have given grants.

Lote in 1971, Honourable Waldo Skillings, Minister, Industrial Development, Trade and
Commerce for British Columbia announced that it was the intention of the Provincial
Government to embark upon a greatly enhanced program of industrial development.

L.C. Hempsall was appointed Deputy Minister and, subsequently, John McKeown was
appointed Director of Industrial Development, Trade and Commerce for British Columbia.
Mr. McKeown had been Commissioner of the Vancouver and Lower Mainland Industrial
Development Commission for about four and a half. years. He now has his office:in the
B.C. Hydro building in Vancouver.

This action by the Government of British Columbia is strongly supported by the Industrial
Development Commission. In fact, the Commission has always contended that the
Government's program should be intensified and that a Vancouver office should be established.
However, the provincial program has made it necessary to examine the position of the
Commission in the industrial development field.