Premier optimistic about restart, but BC far from out of the woods

Photo: CTV News

Premier John Horgan says there are many positive signs surrounding the restart of the B.C. economy.

Speaking virtually with reporters Thursday, Horgan said there are great reasons for optimism, pointing to increases in public transit and ferry ridership and a $500-million investment announced by CN Rail.

"We continue to see relatively low new cases of COVID-19, which speaks to the best approach we could come up with, which was a gradual restart of the economy," said Horgan.

"More and more people are coming out of their homes, participating in the economy, going to restaurants, shopping in retail outlets."

He added 24 television and movie-of-the-week productions have returned to the province during Phase 3 of reopening, and, he's hopeful production will be back to its full compliment by the end of summer.

"There are also an increasing number of companies looking at British Columbia as having successfully flattened the curve, and having a skilled, dynamic, multicultural workforce that can help them advance their business interests."

While he is excited about where the province is at, Horgan says the government is under no illusions that COVID-19 is gone.

"We're far from out of the woods. COVID-19 is in British Columbia. We are doing our best to flatten the curve," he said.

"Our approach from the beginning has been coping with the virus. It's here, and it's going to be here until we find a way to eradicate it. In the interim, we have to find ways to manage and cope with the disease."

In order for the economy to continue to rebound and grow, Horgan says public confidence is critical.

He says if people don't feel safe shopping or going out for dinner, they won't do it.

"They are going to find another way," he said.