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By Adam Walker, B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for the New Economy and MLA for Parksville-Qualicum

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: B.C. a leader in economic recovery

Feb 17, 2021 | 11:04 AM

EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES in British Columbia has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. People in Kamloops and across the province have stepped up as front-line workers or have stayed home to keep the disease at bay. And businesses have had to adapt to continue offering their goods and services while keeping people safe.

In spite of all the challenges we’ve faced together over the last year, British Columbia continues to be an economic leader in Canada.

All told, B.C. has already returned to more than 98 per cent of its pre-COVID employment levels. Job growth has been positive in the province for nine consecutive months. British Columbia’s economic recovery plan, Stronger B.C., is there to make sure you, your family, your community, and the entire province come back stronger than ever.

We know that overall, women have felt the economic impacts of the pandemic more than men, as the retail and tourism sectors were among the hardest hit. Women in British Columbia need to be at the forefront of our economic recovery, and New Democrats are focused on doing exactly that. By expanding early childhood education across the province, we’re making sure that women, who still do a disproportionate amount of childcare at home, can afford to go to work. Additionally, we’re making it easier for women to go back to school and upgrade their skills for high-demand careers to support their families.

More employers in B.C. are seeing the value of hiring a diverse workforce. To support people living with disabilities or facing other barriers to employment, we created the Work Experience Opportunity Grants. This program is connecting people who want to work with great employers and rewarding experiences that boost their skills.

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We’ve all seen how B.C.’s public sector workers have stepped up this year, and your New Democrat government is making sure they’re properly resourced and staffed to continue offering the excellent care and service that people depend on. Whether it’s directly combatting the pandemic in public health and healthcare, getting British Columbians the financial support they need, or working on our economic recovery, a strong public sector is key to our success.

Hand-in-hand with the public service, B.C.’s small and medium businesses are doing everything they can to build back better in communities like Kamloops. A newly expanded BC Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant is putting money straight back into the economy by keeping struggling businesses afloat with up to $30,000. And hard-hit businesses in the tourism sector are receiving up to $15,000 more.

For businesses looking to break into the world of e-commerce or improve their online store, Launch Online was created to extend their reach. Requiring grant recipients to work with B.C.-based web developers and designers not only helps businesses expand online, it keeps that money here in the province and helps us all grow and succeed together.

In a world and country gripped by the pandemic, British Columbia continues to be an economic leader. By choosing the BC New Democrats in October, the people of this province have put their trust in a government with a proven track record, and we’re going to continue doing everything we can to build an economic recovery that works for everyone.

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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.