Project Management: Mr. Stephen Miller, Manager of SPR West, provides over 20 years of experience in studies of social and economic issues, and government accountability. Much of this experience was gained while working for the Government of Manitoba, 1972-1977, where he worked on the Manitoba Guaranteed Annual Income Project, a major project implemented in Winnipeg and Dauphin, Manitoba. Subsequently, Mr. Miller joined the Central Statistics Bureau, Government of B.C. in the late 1970's. There he served as ranking provincial expert in demographics, business and economic statistics, survey methodology, and joint work with Statistics Canada, and other Western Provinces. He has acquired an understanding of economies and communities across Western Canada, joining SPR West full-time in January 2003.

Supporting expertise for SPR West includes: Dr. Ralph Joyce, who brings extensive experience in policy development and economic analysis consulting. His expertise includes knowledge of econometrics, decision theory and mathematical modelling. Additionally, Mr. Leslie Lax provides knowledge in economic analysis, policy development, strategic planning and management and evaluations. Dr. Garry Horne provides expertise in economic impact assessments and program evaluations.

Experience Across Western Canada: SPR West's consultants have provided extensive evaluative, statistical and consulting advice to various western provinces and territories, including Provincial Agencies in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Territories.

Areas of Specialization: Through their extensive work in Western Canada, this team provides extensive knowledge of key areas such as:

• High technology: numerous studies, including: Profile of the British Columbia High Technology Sector -- 2001; Input Indicators of the British Columbia High Technology Sector—2001; and "High Tech Jobs in the High Tech Sector";

• Agri-food: knowledge regarding both primary agricultural production, and the food industries overall; considerable experience with Statistics Canada data sources, including the Census of Agriculture and export statistics for agricultural products.

• Other sectors: development of statistics for Tourism, Sport Fishing, the Value-added Sector, and small business.

• Communities and sustainability: SPR's consultants have been instrumental in developing information concerning rural and remote communities including projections of regional population change, regional welfare reliance and unemployment rates, and overall measures of regional economies.