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By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

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SOUND OFF: How we deal with recovery is as important as how we deal with the height of the pandemic

May 1, 2020 | 1:50 PM

The start of May always brings with it warmer weather, more sunshine and the anticipation of the summer season. However, I know for many of us across the province, this summer will be far from business as usual.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every part of our economy, but it has had a particularly devastating impact on the tourism industry, with restrictions on travel and a focus on staying at home effectively shutting down operations for the time being. In the Interior, tourism is a vital part of our economy and in just a few weeks we may see our provincial parks closed and empty over the May long weekend for the first time since they were established.

We know that this pandemic has had widespread impacts and there are people in every industry and every city in the province feeling is affects. The federal government has been doing its best to introduce programs and supports for businesses, but the province needs to act now and get these benefits into the hands of B.C. businesses that are struggling. Property tax relief is not enough. For those in the tourism industry, limited temporary supports are also not enough.

While provincial supports have been announced, that much-needed money has yet to be shared with struggling small business owners. British Columbians simply can’t wait any longer for help, they need to see relief now and a semblance of a long-term plan if they are going to be able to save their businesses and stay afloat.

While we will probably start to see parts of the economy begin to open in a few weeks, it is likely that different sectors will take longer to return to normal than others. We still don’t know how long it will take for tourism to return to its previous levels, especially if government restrictions stay in place or people remain hesitant to travel. That is why it is all the more critical to know exactly how we will be re-opening our province.

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The BC Liberal Caucus has been constantly working to get greater clarity on government plans and programs. I know that my colleagues MLA Doug Clovechok and Michelle Stillwell — the co-critics for tourism — have sent many letters and had calls with the tourism ministry, asking detailed questions on behalf of all British Columbians to ensure that individuals and businesses are being properly supported through this crisis.

When the government announced its Economic Recovery Task Force that failed to have any representation from the tourism industry, we immediately responded, calling for the inclusion of tourism stakeholders so that their voices are heard in the recovery process. Similarly, we have written to the tourism minister to ask for a long-term, detailed plan for the industry’s recovery so that hard-hit businesses can start preparing for the future.

At present, my colleagues have not yet heard back from the minister on either of these topics, but we are looking forward to a reply.

The way that we deal with this recovery process will prove to be as important as how we deal with the pandemic at its height. However, you can be confident that I and my BC Liberal colleagues will be working every step of the way to ensure that every individual and business in B.C. gets the direction and support they need to not only survive this pandemic, but to thrive once again.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.