Editor:
On the subject of employment, or the lack of employment for young people, the situation seems to be the result of the economic policies of both our Federal and Provincial Governments.
In the late 60s Pierre Trudeau came to power.
After a series of dull, but frugal Prime Ministers, he opened up Canada, both with the export of our resources, as well as easing immigration, so that people with relatives in Canada could emigrate here.
I think that the concept of multiculturalism is a good one, but there must be work for people emigrating here, or they will take the jobs that are available. Which was what happened.
Instead of developing secondary industry in Canada to process resources and raw materials from logging and mining, they were sold at bargain basement prices to industrial nations, like Japan.
Industry would like more production from fewer employees to maximize profits.
And governments do not get after industry to do proper reclamation and look after the resource that is providing them with their resource.
There could be a lot of employment in our forests, and this is a key issue in discussion of the new Timber Supply changes.
There needs to be labouring work available. This allows people to get into the work force, and a chance to move forward in life.
Those people would significantly contribute to the economy of Williams Lake.
As for make work projects, fire guards could be made around the trailer parks and residential areas, preventive maintenance for a summer with fires.
That could employ quite a few workers in this area.
It is all very well for governments to cater to big industry, and pour money into business, but they don’t care enough about poverty and unemployment.
Someone on social assistance, or a disability pension makes around $700 per month, while those in administration or management might make 10 times that.
Forty-five years ago we earned $21 per day piling lumber on the green chain. New workers’ entry level wage is now around $25 per hour.
To create work would help solve a lot of the social problems that exist, and narrow the gap between the prosperous and the impoverished.
To consider people as our greatest resource would be a start.
Michael Atwood
Chimney Lake