Jobs and economic diversification rise to the fore in tour: Murray
By Nelson Daily Editor
Ask and you shall receive.
And Joyce Murray, Liberal MP for Vancouver Quadra and former BC Environment Minister, asked what the Kootenay region needed.
The former East Shore resident wrapped up her two-day tour meeting Wednesday with community leaders from Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, and the Queens Bay area to discuss key local issues related to her new role as Critic for Small Business and Tourism, Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Western Economic Diversification.
“Economic diversification and jobs are key concerns,” said Murray.
Murray said she consulted with municipal and business representatives about the concrete ways a federal government could strengthen small and medium-sized business to help diversify regional economies.
But she also added that the Conservatives are moving forward with plans to cut taxes – only for Canada’s large and most profitable corporations – and have little to offer job-creating entrepreneurs and small business.
“There’s been a lot of talk about cutting red tape for small business … but no action,” said Murray. “The Conservative government is not doing enough to support Canada’s job-creators.”
She said the government should partner in supporting rural jobs and stability by investing in critical infrastructure, as well as skills and apprenticeship strategies, to capitalize on opportunities in the Kootenays.
Murray began her tour of the Kootenay region last Thursday, Sept. 1 with meetings in Fernie, Cranbrook and the Creston Valley.
She will be using the feedback she received to advocate for small business and tourism across Canada as Parliament resumes later this month.
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