Parksville mayoral candidate Mike Butler focused on creating more jobs
“We must create the jobs right here, right now, to rebuild our economy,” said Butler. “We want people to be able to build a career here. We want local businesses to grow here. We want young people to have reasons to stay here, and we want people who are already living here to have access to good-paying jobs.”
Butler and Barager say that means looking beyond traditional municipal boundaries and building relationships with governments, businesses, investors and international partners.
“Economic development doesn’t happen by waiting for somebody to knock on your door,” Butler said. “You have to build the relationships, understand the opportunities and make the case for your community.”
That work comes as the Mark Carney government is placing renewed emphasis on Canadian production, trade, infrastructure, domestic supply chains and industrial capacity.
Butler and Barager have also been invited to meet with the Honourable Mark Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, at a meet-and-greet in Parksville tonight at the McMillan Arts Centre from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“We appreciate the invitation and the opportunity to meet with Minister Miller here in Parksville,” said Butler. “Every meeting is an opportunity to put Parksville and Vancouver Island’s interests on the table.”
A Broader Economic Opportunity
Butler said the Island should be looking at the full range of economic opportunities created by its location on the Pacific.
“It’s about looking at the entire economic picture — trade, commodity trading, ports, logistics, manufacturing, marine industries, technology, tourism and the skilled trades.”
“We must create the jobs right here, right now, to rebuild our economy.”
Barager said investment needs to translate into opportunities for local businesses and workers.
“Investment is important, but we need to look at what happens after the investment arrives,” she said.
“How do local companies participate? How do local workers get hired? How do we create opportunities for young people to build careers here?”
Building Relationships Beyond Parksville
Butler and Barager have travelled to Ottawa, Florida, Texas, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Amsterdam, meeting with elected officials, governments, businesses, investors, financial institutions and international companies.
Those discussions have included companies such as Fincantieri, TKMS and Damen, as well as conversations involving trade, investment, infrastructure and industrial development.
“We’re building relationships across multiple sectors,” he said. “The goal is to turn those relationships into investment, business opportunities and jobs for people here.”
A Pacific Gateway for Trade and Investment
In 2018, Vancouver Island received a Foreign Trade Zone Point designation from the Government of Canada, recognizing the Island’s potential to facilitate exports, attract investment and support manufacturing opportunities.
Butler said that provides a foundation for Vancouver Island to play a larger role in international commerce.
“We have a strategic location on the Pacific,” he said. “We have ports, transportation infrastructure, skilled workers and businesses that already understand international trade.”
“That’s an economic asset we should be using.”
Butler said opportunities extend beyond simply moving goods.
“We should be looking at commodity trading, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, processing, marine services and value-added production,” he said.
“The more economic activity we can capture here, the more opportunities there are for local businesses and local workers.”
Commodity Trading and the Pacific Economy
Butler said commodity trading should be part of the conversation about Vancouver Island’s economic future.
“Commodities move around the world every day,” he said. “There are opportunities in trading, transportation, storage, processing and logistics.”
“Vancouver Island is positioned on the Pacific. We should be looking at how we can participate in those economic flows and how much Canadian value we can add.”
“This is about creating legitimate trade,” Butler said. “It’s about bringing business activity to Canada, creating jobs and making sure communities like Parksville benefit from the economic activity around us.”
Canadian Industrial Capacity and Local Jobs
Canada once built ships with Canadian workers, Canadian trades and Canadian suppliers. Over time, much of that work moved overseas.
“Now we’re seeing a renewed focus on building things here,” Butler said. “For Parksville and Vancouver Island, this isn’t just about ships. It’s about jobs.”
Butler said the same principle applies to other major investments.
“Every major project needs suppliers,” he said. “Welders, electricians, machinists, engineers, fabricators, truckers, technicians, construction companies, professional services and logistics.”
“If a major project is happening somewhere on Vancouver Island, there are opportunities for businesses in Parksville to supply it. The economic benefit doesn’t have to stop at the project site.”
Local Businesses Need to Be Part of the Opportunity
Barager said municipal policy can help connect local businesses to larger economic opportunities.
Her priorities include local-first procurement, supporting locally operated businesses, creating local career opportunities and developing practical partnerships.
“We want Parksville businesses to have an opportunity to compete,” Barager said.
“That means looking at what the City buys, how infrastructure projects are delivered and where local companies can participate.”
“If we can keep more of that spending within our local economy, it supports businesses, employees and families right here.”
Working Across Political Lines
Butler has worked with people and governments from different political backgrounds, including Jack Layton, Bob Rae, Danielle Smith and the Mark Carney government.
He said that experience has shaped his approach to working on behalf of a community.
“A mayor doesn’t get to choose the federal government,” Butler said. “The mayor’s job is to work with it.”
“The same applies to Victoria, the RDN, First Nations, businesses and investors. You find common ground, you make the case for your community and you get to work.”
Butler said political differences should not prevent communities from pursuing practical opportunities.
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