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B.C.’s technology sector is hoping that all the attention from political parties during the election will lead to some key improvements on investment, talent and markets for local companies.

B.C. Tech Association CEO Bill Tam said the past few years have been good for the sector, with lots of startups, interest from entrepreneurs and companies being formed. There are now more than 106,000 people working in high-tech in the province.

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But as political parties campaign on their visions for how to increase well-paying B.C. tech jobs, Tam said the industry wants a plan that give local students the skills required to work in the field, while also encouraging global talent to immigrate here.

“We have seen growth, but also acute talent shortages,” said Tam, both in “technical and creative staff who can build next-generation technologies, but also growth talent in the form of sales and marketing that are needed for companies to grow.”