Jobs and growth are key issues for all communities, and figure prominently in the rhetoric from every politician in nearly every election.
But what do the communities think they need from the government.
Neil Wyper, chair of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, said they would like to see an approach that took in the larger picture of building business and jobs.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not just pushing for more industry, but also making sure that we香蕉视频直播檝e got housing that families can move into,香蕉视频直播� said Wyper. Another factor would be having enough doctors so employers could present a full package to draw prospects.
香蕉视频直播淭hat would support our community more than what are they doing just for jobs or just for housing. It香蕉视频直播檚 how they to make those things work together,香蕉视频直播� said Wyper. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e got people that come to town and they simply have nowhere they can find to rent. We can香蕉视频直播檛 have business without having the community and having support for families to be here as well.香蕉视频直播�
Tarik Sayeed, NDP candidate for the Penticton riding, says the NDP has a policy to invest in affordable housing, noting the large increase in housing prices Penticton has seen recently. The province needs to help establish a foundation for communities to gain a better balance.
香蕉视频直播淭he reason we need to invest in affordable housing is so it can create that balance,香蕉视频直播� said Sayeed.
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Incumbent Liberal MLA Dan Ashton pointed to the government香蕉视频直播檚 record on both job creation and affordable housing. He said it香蕉视频直播檚 a matter of working together, like the planned affordable housing development on Brunswick Street.
香蕉视频直播淭here have been a lot of affordable housing units created in Penticton, not only by government but by societies,香蕉视频直播� said Ashton. 香蕉视频直播淢y attitude is a rising tide lifts all boats. There are challenges.香蕉视频直播�
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Green party candidate Connie Sahlmark says it香蕉视频直播檚 not enough It is not okay to just create jobs, it has to serve a purpose.
香蕉视频直播淲e need something that is going to be stable and pays a living wage, and is going to be stable. We need something that is ongoing,香蕉视频直播� said Sahlmark, adding that the province does need to take a wider view to jobs and growth.
香蕉视频直播淲e need to have funding going in supporting the whole company, not just the pet project of the government at the time.香蕉视频直播�
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Mayor Andrew Jakubeit also sees housing as a problem for growing jobs and the local economy, calling affordable housing options a 香蕉视频直播渒ey hurdle香蕉视频直播� for growth. He agrees a housing first strategy is good, but says it can detract from solutions for young families and the working poor.
香蕉视频直播淚 hope the province creates more programs to help the demographic that is supposed to be powering our economy,香蕉视频直播� said Jakubeit.
Jakubeit recalls a visit by Minister Shirley Bond, where she met with several local businesses to learn about their needs and understand concerns around retention and recruitment of skilled labor. He香蕉视频直播檚 like to see more of those roundtable discussions with cabinet ministers and their staff hearing directly from employers.
香蕉视频直播淚t was good to have the candid conversations and one result was a labor market study and centralized online portal funded by the province to help local business,香蕉视频直播� said Jakubeit.
It香蕉视频直播檚 a concept that both Sahlmark and Sayeed support. Sahlmark said that is the best way to know what your resources are, but talking isn香蕉视频直播檛 enough - there needs to be action.
香蕉视频直播淧eople come and talk, but do they follow through?香蕉视频直播� she asked.
Sayeed said it香蕉视频直播檚 a practice that should be expanded, bringing in not just business and political leaders, but also representatives from local service groups like the Community Resource society and other organizations.
The region香蕉视频直播檚 economy has benefited from more than $500 million invested in building the Oliver Correctional Centre and expanding Penticton Regional Hospital, which Jakubeit said created construction jobs and new full time employment plus expanded health services, training, doctors, and technicians.
The province has been helpful and supportive, he added, with developing agricultural and specifically viticulture opportunities.
香蕉视频直播淚 would like to see more incentives and or targeted approach to create more technology and green energy based companies developing and locating here,香蕉视频直播� said Jakubeit.
Modular building manufacturer Britco recently laid off most of the staff at their Penticton plant. Plans are to retool the plant, with the possibility of adding single family homes to the line.
Britco香蕉视频直播檚 layoffs might not be permanent, but other communities have experienced the loss of an industry.
Ashton notes that when he was growing up, there were four similar manufacturing plants in Penticton.
香蕉视频直播淭he economy is changing, how business is conducted changes,香蕉视频直播� said Ashton, referring to the Internet, and linking to the closure of his family香蕉视频直播檚 chain of clothing stores. 香蕉视频直播淵ou have to make positive changes and I think the government has done that.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭hey missed out on the contract for Site C. However, there is a lot more camps in the future as LNG is developed,香蕉视频直播� said Ashton. 香蕉视频直播淲e all have to work together. It香蕉视频直播檚 a sign of the times.香蕉视频直播�
Sayeed said the province can do more by helping reduce the load on struggling businesses, referring to the NDP platform, which recommends reducing the business tax rate.
Sahlmark, who just completed the Sustainable Construction Management Technology program at Okanagan College, had more concrete recommendations to help get a business like Britco back employing people.
香蕉视频直播淏ritco are talking about reconfiguring their plant to make tiny homes. That香蕉视频直播檚 a permanent solution that deals with giving people jobs. It helps the community and it helps the planet,香蕉视频直播� said Sahlmark. 香蕉视频直播淩econfiguring or retooling, that香蕉视频直播檚 where the province can step in and maybe alleviate some of the burden. We want to get that going again before people move away.香蕉视频直播�
For more stories on the Penticton riding and the .
