MERRITT, B.C. — There was plenty of buzz surrounding the Premier’s visit to the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.
The liberal leader got a lesson in door-bell making from the center’s trade students before announcing her parties plan to re-invigorate jobs in rural B.C
“This is where the bulk of our wealth comes from and we need to make sure we’re investing in people,” said Clark.
Part of the liberals $3.6 billion rural investment plan includes investing $40-million to expand high-speed internet to rural communities.
“Tech jobs can happen anywhere where there’s high-speed internet and those tech jobs should be just as available for communities in places like Merritt and Ashcroft,” added Clark.
Other items on Clark’s check-list included an $80-million plan to expand and update post-secondary institutions throughout B.C, including NVIT.
“This will create construction jobs for working people in rural British Columbia,” said Clark. “Infrastructure that we badly need.”
As well spending $15-million dollars to provide trades equipment to all rural high schools so students explore career opportunities sooner.
Merritt Mayor Neil Menard says Clark’s visit is proof positive change is on the way.
“The time’s that we’ve met with our Premier she’s always talking jobs in any of those meetings, so coming to to our areas to do this, not only for us but for our province, it’s good stuff,” said Menard. “I think she’ll deliver.”
One of the things the Premier didn’t deliver was a clear plan to help the almost 200 employees left jobless following the Merritt Tolko mill closure in December.
Instead, a $165-thousand investment to go towards training opportunities for laid-off Tolko employees at NVIT was announced.
As it stands around 30 people are taking part in a six-week course, obtaining various safety certificate and resume writing skills in an attempt to land another job.
However, the Steelworkers Union says the Liberals Tolko training program is a slap in the face.
“160-thousand is an insult,” said Marty Gibbons, President of United Steel Workers Local 1-417. “That’s less than two workers would have made if the mill had stayed open. All this does is educate people to leave the community.”
Former MLA Harry Lali echoed Gibbons comments.
“If Clark wants to do something concrete, take Tolko to task and tell them to re-open the mill and put those workers back to work and not take the timber out of Merritt and send it to Kelowna and Kamloops.”
It’s clear opinions differ on how to re-invigorate Merritt’s economy.
“I think Merritt’s doing everything it can to try and create jobs and keep people here and grow the community,” said Ken Tourand, President of NVIT.”
The main question now is how laid off workers will profit from the government’s plans.
