January 15, 2003 For Immediate Release

This past fall, a report by the Urban Futures Institute confirmed what many northern BC residents had suspected for a long time: most of British Columbia's export wealth - roughly 71% - is generated outside of Vancouver and Victoria. The report concluded that BC's metropolitan regions are dependent on the resource-producing areas of the province.

The author of that report will be speaking at UNBC on Tuesday, January 21st. David Baxter is Executive Director of the Urban Futures Institute and is a recognized authority on demographics and their impact on business and community development. His presentation at UNBC will identify economic and social trends in northern BC and the province as a whole, with options for northern development. His free, public presentation will begin at 7:30pm in the University's Canfor Theatre.

Following Mr Baxter's presentation, some northern community and industry leaders will participate in a panel discussion that will respond to the presentation. Moderated by UNBC Political Science professor Tracy Summerville, panelists will also have the opportunity to suggest their own ideas for northern community development.

In conjunction with the talk, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce is hosting a dinner on campus at 6:30pm. Those attending the dinner will be reserved a place in the presentation.

Mr Baxter's presentation is being funded by a Canfor endowment at the University. His talk is also being supported by the Ramada Hotel, North Central Municipal Association, Prince George Chamber of Commerce, City of Prince George, Initiatives Prince George, Northern Health Authority, Northwest Corridor Development Corporation, and the UNBC College of Science and Management.