NanaimoNewsNOW asked the nine candidates for Nanaimo-Ladysmith what their plan is to attract high-playing, sustainable jobs to the region. (RawPixl)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

election 2019

Nanaimo-Ladysmith candidates plans for high-paying, sustainable jobs

Oct 10, 2019 | 10:37 PM

NANAIMO — As part of NanaimoNewsNOW’s continuing coverage of the 2019 Federal Election, we reached out to each of the nine candidates running for election in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding with a series of questions.

Each were given up to 200 words to respond in written form, along with 30 seconds to articulate their response on video. Candidates are featured alphabetically. “No response” indicates a candidate did not submit their answers prior to publishing. The written responses are unedited by NanaimoNewsNOW in any way.

NanaimoNewsNOW will update answers as quickly as possible up to Sunday Oct. 20 at 11:59 p.m.

Question Three: How do you believe government can bring sustainable, high-paying jobs to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area?

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Bob Chamberlin (NDP):
As someone who has grown up here, I have seen how our local economy has changed and evolved. We have diverse industries here – retail, tourism, resources like logging – but small businesses are the biggest single employer in Nanaimo-Ladysmith. They need more support, like lower credit card merchant fees, more training opportunities, and as businesses grow, help breaking into foreign markets. The NDP plan for public, universal pharmacare is going to save businesses $600 per employee with extended health benefits every year.

It’s also time to take meaningful action on climate change and transition to a green economy, which will bring a great deal of opportunity for good paying jobs, something I’m very passionate about. As a hub of Vancouver Island, Nanaimo and Ladysmith are in a strategic place to be a part of that transition. I’m pleased with the NDP’s commitment to create 300,000 sustainable jobs within a first term of forming government. Those include high-paying skilled trades positions needed to make energy-efficient building retrofits and expanding support to create and bring more innovative clean technologies.

James Chumsa (COM):
Ending free trade agreements would allow for more local jobs, as well as protecting BC’s fishing and logging industries. This would be done by banning the export of raw logs and defending wild salmon by shutting down ocean based fish farms and moving them on land. The transition away from petroleum to alternative energies and materials would create sustainable employment in renewable resources.

Underemployment needs to be combated with a $20/h minimum wage, the elimination of income tax for those making less than $40,000 a year, and shortening the standard work week to 32 hours with no loss in pay. Workers should have the legal right to unionize, strike, and bargain collectively under a Labour Bill of Rights. Ultimately we need a publically owned and planned economy, where workers have democratic control and ownership over the workplace. What I am referring to is socialism.

Jennifer Clarke (PPC):
No Response

Michelle Corfield (LIB):
Government can continue to invest in our infrastructures such as our Port, Airport, University, and our First Nation communities. Another way would be to advocate for high-paying jobs in this riding is to increase the Federal public service in Nanaimo. Expanding public service opportunities will attract families and ultimately increase the services in our region. Through innovation in Artificial Intelligence, we can also expand our tech sector.

John Hirst (CON):
We need to start with our hospital. We need a tertiary hospital offering a better level of care than what the mid island current receives. This means more jobs at all levels in the hospital, this means more synergy with VIU, and it means more interest from technology and medical firms for our community. In the past Nanaimo has been referred to as The Hub City, I believe our future is to be a technological hub. A tech sector that is built around a teaching hospital and a world class university. If we are going to keep sending the same MPs to Ottawa, we won’t see any kind of positive effect on our community. We need a seat at the table in government and an MP who will champion these types of solutions.

Paul Manly (GRN):
The federal government should provide infrastructure funding for a much-needed expansion of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. In August I sent an open letter to BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix, calling for the expansion of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital to provide specialized services for the growing, and aging, population of the central and north island region. I urged Mr. Dix to begin the planning and development process for the expansion of our hospital, and I pledged that as MP I will lobby for, and support, federal infrastructure funding applications for the expansion of NRGH. This expansion will attract more doctors, specialists, nurses and other healthcare professionals to our region, and create hundreds of good paying, long term, healthcare careers. Another key area of federal investment should be Vancouver Island University. VIU is a very important asset to our region. Securing federal funding to expand health care, high tech and trades programs at VIU would be a high priority for me. Our region has the potential to become a hub of innovation. With investment in education, we will have a skilled workforce ready for careers in the sectors with the greatest demand, including green technology and renewable energy.

Brian Marlatt (PC):
How we bring sustainable, high-paying jobs to Nanaimo-Ladysmith means looking to our natural advantages, existing infrastructure, natural and human resources, building on them, and investing in education and alternatives. This has always been true. What has sometimes been lacking is activist government.

Nanaimo is a major port, a transportation hub by land, sea, and air, and by rail too if we decide. Over 97% of Canadian business is small business, barely 0.6% big business. We are a country of small business entrepreneurs and the people who work with them.

A tax framework that encourages investment in small business and innovation and investment in new economy infrastructure is essential.

A sustainable economy means investing in new and established economies and infrastructure, education, including trades, developing alternatives, and favourable tax framework that encourages investment in small business and innovation. Oil and gas, fishing and forestry – and developing alternatives deserve respectful support. Transportation infrastructure investment, particularly here on the Island is critical. Trade agreements that support these priorities and build strength in negotiation, like Commonwealth Free Trade when dealing with the US and China, is just smart.

The role of government in the economy is to build opportunity and that requires activist government.

Geoff Stoneman (IND):
I believe before government can bring sustainable, high-paying jobs to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area we have to ensure the ones we currently have are not threatened. During many conversations with people in the riding, there is an appetite for balancing the environment and economy. Because of these conversations, we have an environmental platform with a viable options using existing infrastructure that balance economic and environmental interests. To keep sustainable, high paying jobs and attract new ones, as a community we need a Member of Parliament who can put aside partisan politics to benefit the riding and communities.

Echo White (IND):
Nanaimo is a beautiful harbor city with talented, creative and welcoming people. I love this city and want to have the honour to represent you. My passion is to transform the region long ignored by the political parties into an innovation centre of Canada. As an MP with a strong background in the high tech industry, I will fight for more tax incentives and training programs to attract businesses and investments, which will increase local employment in all sectors. I see a revival coming to Nanaimo soon.

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