Local Economy

By Shane Brinton

How to help our local businesses thrive, the importance of investing in manufacturing to strengthen our industrial base and create jobs, and ways to advance fairness for workers.

• Helping Our Local Businesses Thrive

We must continue to support our local business community by engaging in sound planning, providing financing, cutting red tape for small businesses, and minimizing the unfair competitive advantages of national chains.

I participated in the development of the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan and I support the Business Loan Program, which has been successful in assisting local businesses to expand. I also support streamlining permit applications and removing burdensome regulations for small businesses.

As we work to grow our economy, we must also set standards to protect the economic character of our community. That's why I support the proposed Pattern Retail Ordinance requiring big chains to go through a public review process before opening.

• Investing in Manufacturing

From outdoor equipment and apparel to specialty food products and musical instruments, our local manufacturers produce an impressive variety of high-quality products for sale throughout the nation. They bring new money into our economy, providing career opportunities that pay higher wages than many retail and service jobs.

Investment and wise planning by the City have contributed greatly to the development of our industrial base. I strongly support the strategy of direct public infrastructure and facilities investment to encourage private manufacturing.

That's why I voted for expansion of the Foodworks Culinary Center at Aldergrove Industrial Park and I have advocated for development of an additional light industrial park, similar to Aldergrove.

• Fairness for Working People

I have advocated for an increase in the minimum wage. I also support a Healthy Workplace Ordinance to provide paid sick leave and an Apprenticeship Policy to ensure proper training for workers in the building trades.

When wages are higher, working families can afford to shop at local businesses, thereby strengthening our economy. When employees can access basic benefits, they are healthier, happier, and stay in their jobs longer, which is good for businesses. When our young people have access to high-quality training, they have more productive careers, benefiting our entire community.