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Q&A with Kootenay-Monashee candidates: Economy

The candidates were given five questions – find a new one each day this week
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Kootenay-Monashee candidates for the 2024 B.C. Election (L-R) Glen Byle (Conservative), Donovan Cavers (Green) and Steve Morissette (NDP).

The provincial election is happening on Oct. 19 and Black Press sent five questions to the three candidates running in the Kootenay-Monashee riding that includes Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, Fruitvale, Slocan Valley and some communities on Lower Arrow Lake.

Glen Byle represents the Conservative Party of B.C., Steve Morissette represents the B.C. NDP and Donovan Cavers represents the B.C. Green Party.

The candidates were given 100 words per question to complete their answers. The answers appear as they were submitted, without editing. We will publish one question each day this week.

How do you or your party propose to create economic opportunities in the West Kootenay?

Byle: We will work to support many of the industries that are cornerstones of the economy in this area such as energy, forestry, mining, small business, and tourism. We will ensure the forestry industry has an adequate and predictable supply of fibre while protecting the ecological value of BC’s forests, we will expand the energy capacity in the province until we are energy independent, we will reduce the red tape and tax burdens for small business, and we will ensure healthy infrastructure for supporting mining operations.

Cavers: There is substantial economic inertia in key pockets of the region. The bc green approach would be bolstering creators and innovators of which there are many in the region. Tourism is critically important to the local economy. We need to be beyond cautious, before even putting forward ideas that may impact the areas reputation as the most beautiful place on earth. More details of our full platform can be found at: https://bcgreens2024.ca/2024-platform/

Morissette: BC is an economic leader in Canada. Our unemployment rate is one of the lowest, and we are a leader in growing wages and jobs. We are doubling apprenticeships & boosting housing construction, supporting more good jobs in manufacturing and forestry. We’re also building a clean-energy future for our economy. Locally through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund the Government is contributing as much as $1.2 million toward two capital projects in the Kootenays with the Drop Group that will create more than 80 jobs and Kalesnikoff Lumber is receiving $6.7 Million for the new mass timber project in Castlegar.



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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