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British Columbia Provincial Government
Victoria, BC
  A
visit to
Victoria is never quite complete without a tour of the
Parliament Buildings, stately and steeped in history. Watch
this page for more details on those who carry out the duties
and responsibilities of government, as we profile the
Ministers and provide an insight into the various
ministries, departments and crown corporations.
The Parliament
Buildings, site of the provincial government were
constructed in 1897. From the time the buildings were first
opened, the facade's outline was illuminated by more than
3,300 small light bulbs fixed along the corners of the
walls, a feature that has contributed to its landmark
status.
Ministry, Crown Corporation and Agency Profiles
to come, with links to this page.
In 1973, restoration
work began that would extend from the foundations to the
statue of Captain
George Vancouver
on top of the central dome. Stained glass windows were
repaired. Moldings, light fixtures, and door knobs were made
to replicate the originals, and mosaic tiles and ornate
plaster work were restored. After 10 years of work, the
buildings were restored to their earlier magnificence.
Guided tours of the buildings are in groups and without
charge. Large groups must phone ahead. For
more details: http://www.gov.bc.ca/
Meet
BC's new Progress Board
 The
British Columbia Provincial Government "Watchdogs" were
selected in July, 2001, and this select group includes
some persons we have interviewed or profiled previously
in our magazines.
DAVID
EMERSON, CHAIRMAN: We profiled David Emerson in 1996
when he was President and CEO of Vancouver
International Airport
Authority (YVR). The
government recently appointed David Emerson as the new
chair of the board of the BC Ferry Corporation, replacing
Michael Francis. Emerson who has held positions such as
CEO of Vancouver International Airport Authority and
deputy minister to the premier, sits on the board of BC
Gas Inc., Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Co of
Canada, and is chairman of the Forest Products
Association of Canada. David Emerson has also recently be
appointed as chair of the BC Progress Board, a volunteer
panel of senior business executives that establishes
benchmarks for the provincial economy.
HERMAN
DRIEDIGER: We interviewed Mr. Driediger in 2001 as
Chairman of the Abbotsford
Airport
Authority and for a major feature on Agriculture
in BC.
He is CEO of Eze Rent-it Centre Ltd., an equipment rental
company, and has also worked in banking, the livestock
feed industry, livestock production and commercial
construction. Driediger has served with a variety of
agricultural organizations, associations, policy advisory
boards and task forces. Now living in Abbotsford, he is a
past president of the B.C. Egg Producers Association and
the Abbotsford-Matsqui Chamber of Commerce.
PAT
CORBETT: We had the privilege of meeting Mr. Corbett
when he was first developing his Cariboo property. Pat
Corbett is president of the the Hills Health Ranch and
related companies, including a national distribution
company, near 100 Mile House. Corbett started the Hills
Health Ranch in 1983, together with his wife, after a
career in building construction, land development and
real estate.
JIM
PATTISON: Our publishers have worked with and
profiled Mr. Pattison's companies for many years. Jim
Pattison is chairman, chief executive officer and sole
owner of the Jim Pattison Group, Canada's third-largest
privately held company. The Jim Pattison Group has more
than 24,000 employees, annual sales of $5 billion and
assets totalling more than $3 billion. With investments
in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia,
the Jim Pattison Group is involved in a wide variety of
industries including food services, packaging,
manufacturing, communications, entertainment,
transportation and export services.
For other
members of this group see "Watchdogs"
page.
For more
information on touring in and around Victoria and the
Islands, visit Tourism Victoria's Visitor Info Centre (open
seven days a week): 812 Wharf Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3
(located at the Inner Harbour)
Tel: (250) 953-2033 ,
Fax: (250) 382-6539 for general information.
Call 1-800-663-3883 for accommodation reservations.
Details: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/
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