Just before the legislature rose for the break week on May 24, Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes and I asked the government some tough questions about why small business owners and nonprofits were not eligible for the $ 50 million announced in support of tourism sector were emerging from the pandemic.

During Question Time, I asked the Minister for Tourism why the Williams Lake Stampede was not eligible for assistance, even though this is the second year it had to be canceled due to COVID. Minister Melanie Mark invited me to “knock on her door” – and believe me, arrangements are already in progress – but that doesn’t change the fact that festivals and events across the province are also ineligible.

Coralee asked why the Billy Barker Days or the Quesnel Rodeo didn’t qualify for provincial funding either. Again, Minister Marks had little to defend in defending the government’s BC Major Anchor Program announced on May 18.

This is quite confusing as Barkerville is one of the most famous anchor objects in British Columbia. Coralee reminded the minister that the historic site attracts 70,000 visitors annually and represents a local tourism income of $ 25 million. This year they are nearly $ 700,000 short of deficit but cannot access support.

CONTINUE READING: Mining Month in BC

We have others like the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo and many more in the local restaurant and hospitality sector who are barely getting stuck and could just use a boost to hold them out for now. Hold on – Coralee and I intend to keep government feet by the fire on this one.

Just a quick look at the Heritage Market at 108 Mile Ranch, which is now open every Saturday from 10am to 2pm and has more than 30 vendors this year.

Also a reminder that our localized TranBC Freshet hotline at 1-844-933-0333 will still be active if further road damage occurs.

Lorne Doerkson is the BC Liberal MLA for the Cariboo Chilcotin.


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