For the past 30 years North America has been running on what I like to call an 'Information Economy'. The entire medical establishment is based on information. Lawyers are buried in information. All local municipal, regional, state and provincial, and national government employees are masters of information. Unfortunately I can't say that about the politicians. But they are relatively few in number. Hollywood and all entertainment is information, media, computers, and the internet is the same. All private business operations deal with information, if only to handle the bureaucracy. Even local chambers of commerce deal in information.

The information economy rewards the creative and innovative individuals, and groups that foster creativity and innovation. Here on Gabriola we have a massive number of talented individuals in theater, painting, and music. All of our volunteer groups have had to be creative, and have made what our community outstanding with their innovation.

Unfortunately only a few have managed to sell beyond the B. C. Ferries rope that binds us to this island. What would it be like if our arts community could service customers on Vancouver Island, without having to get up before dawn and home to sleep after dark? What would it be like if tourists could have a nice breakfast, walk the forest trails, look at the art, and enjoy the theater? Would more come? In many ways the 'Stop the world I want to get off' is an admission of failure. In fact our talented individuals are far better than the rest of the world.

Gabriola needs a bridge to sell our creativity to the world!