Invermere Councillor By-election Candidates

ond homes with a higher property tax bracket. Ask the provincial government to implement the existing speculation and vacancy tax in our area.

As your councillor I want us to focus on long term sustainability over short term profit.” an area where tiny homes are made legitimate housing options. There are many who would genuinely be happy in a tiny home.

The scope of the housing shortage unfortunately, is not something the DOI can solve on its own. As I write this response, a story on CBC Radio is discussing the acute shortage of long term care in B.C. This underscores how poorly the province is dealing with housing in general, and the needs of an aging population.

DAVID GOLDSMITH:

“There has been enough study of housing needs in Invermere. If I am elected to council, I would make decisions on these issues as soon as possible.

In 2021, Invermere published the ‘Invermere Community Housing Needs – Final Report’. This study showed the disparities that exist between the housing needs of the population and the availability, affordability and variety of housing stock within Invermere.

In 2022, the Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a joint examination of housing needs in cooperation with Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Canal Flats, and Areas F and G. This resulted in the formation of the Columbia Valley Housing Society. The Society’s mission is “…to own and manage housing that results in opportunities for living and employment in the Columbia Valley”.

The 2021 Report will be informing the work of the Society, with respect to the housing needs in Invermere and the surrounding communities. The report identified, through respondent interviews and published data, the need to consider housing options such as: seniors’ housing, including aging in place; secondary suites in existing homes; purpose built rental units; high density housing, including duplexes, townhomes; resident restricted and workforce housing and; smaller scale single family homes.

I would work cooperatively with the Society to ensure it reaches its goals. This includes working with

JUANITA VIOLINI:

“My first thought on the housing crisis is that it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room: vacant second homes. In 2016 they made up around 32 per cent of our housing, which, in my opinion, is an appalling amount. Part time residents were a wonderful and necessary part of Invermere’s growth, however, luxury homes are now pricing locals and young full time families out of the housing market.

We need a strategic plan for visitor accommodation to help keep housing available and affordable for people employed here or living here permanently. The arrival of corporate chain stores at the crossroads is an indicator that we can sustain a healthy economy without adding more part-time residents.

The Columbia Valley Housing Society has funding for a staff person to find funds to help build housing. We know our existing housing and our housing needs. We need to consider policy, land use, zoning and transportation together with the other regional districts. Plan the work. Work the plan.

Steps I would explore as a councillor: Can we create a ‘need to reside’ policy for homeowners going forward? Can we mandate that short term rental (STR) owners be permanent residents? Ask the provincial government for a new housing classification for vacant sec-

GREY BRADATSCH:

Yes. We have a housing crisis in Invermere. And, we have had one for some time.

Drawing from the latest census data, Invermere shows a shortage of housing options for certain specific demographics. The data points to a need to provide year-round rental housing for seasonal workers and low to moderate income families. We need affordable home options for permanent Invermere residents. This also includes seniors and long-term care, as well to facilitate aging in place.

After researching our issues and evaluating recommendations, I believe the DOI should seek a developer who would build apartments; configurations of two to three bedrooms that could be made available as short- and longterm rentals. This would align with DOI’s official community plan for high density house strategies.

With this type of housing, seasonal workers would have the accommodation required to attract staff to support our business, pursue growth and meet the needs of young families and residents starting out. New housing options aimed at increasing the size of the rental market would provide security and the means for those to develop their financial plans aimed at home ownership.

I should note council’s priorities for 2023-2026 include a housing strategy with the Columbia Valley Housing Society. The acceleration of this strategy would be my priority as soon as I am elected. We need “beds for heads” now.

We need to find ways to make the building of first homes more attractive to developers: seniors housing, tiny homes, family housing, assisted living, staff housing. We need to make our local community members our first priority.

And we absolutely need to help landlords out so renting to long term tenants is attractive to them. If they have no recourse in regards to damage or delinquent payment, why would they want to rent?

This is a multi-pronged issue with so many parts to address. It is impossible to truly delve into it with so few words allotted.” term rentals over seasonal rentals, as the labor crunch has become so acute that with businesses such as Panorama and other resorts operating year round, we are able to provide full time employment even in the service sector, which previously was more seasonal .

STEPHANIE STEVENS:

“Dealing with the housing crisis is definitely going to have to be a team effort between all levels of government and involve a variety of solutions.

I would like to see us work towards establishing

GRANT KELLY:

“This is an issue that we share with most parts of this province and this country. I believe that we need to prioritize long-

I believe that as a council we will need to make some hard decisions in regards to zoning and development fees as other municipalities do, so that we are able to provide some smaller apartment-type and condominium rental suites to house this staff. This could be expanded to include units for sale . This will allow first time buyers to enter the market at an affordable price. We don’t have to look too far away - Calgary for example - to see some interesting concepts developing such as laneway suites and houses. These lower-priced housing options will lessen the gap between median income and median home prices.”

The Columbia Valley Centre (CVC) is looking for a contrac ting business or individuals who are knowledgeable in audio/visual equipment and would have an interest in working with a wide range of rental groups and events

The Distric t of Invermere has an oppor tunity for a contrac tor to operate the Columbia Valley Centre’s audio/visual equipment and to provide technical suppor t and guidance to user groups

Work hours will coincide with shows and events The successful contrac tor(s) must be available to work a variety of shifts including days, nights, weekends, and Statutor y Holidays

The contrac tor will work not only with our Manager of Leisure

Ser vices and staff in our Public Works Depar tment, but also with the wide variety of per formance experiences in musical per formance, live theatre, dance, and special events

The Contrac tor shall comply with the safety regulations under the Workers’ Compensation Ac t and supply their own general public liability insurance and proper ty damage insurance

The following assets are preferred, but not all necessar y:

• Knowledge of analog and digital mixing consoles (Midas, Avid, Allen & Heath etc.) and professional sound systems

• Knowledge of theatrical lighting & dimmer programming on lighting control console for bands, theatre, per formances etc

• Troubleshooting technical issues and resolving problems quickly when they arise

• Liaise with the internal team to develop solutions for audio/ video/lighting configurations to meet projec t requirements

• Provide exceptional customer ser vice experience to clients and/or venue staff

• Knowledge of basic video (projec tors, laptops, VGA, HDMI).

• Experience working at heights and operating a platform lift

Please let us know if you have cer tification for working at heights and lift cer tification.

• May require the lifting of produc tion equipment and backline

• Monitoring the condition of equipment including lights and sound

• Provide recommendations for the repair and replacement of equipment

• Per forming preventive maintenance on equipment

• Other duties as required

How to Apply:

If this contrac t is of interest to you, please submit a proposal to the Distric t of Invermere using the contac t information below

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shor tlisted candidates will be contac ted

Distric t of Invermere

Kindr y Luyendyk, Corporate O fficer

914 – 8th Avenue

PO Box 339

Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Email: corporateser vices@invermere.net

Tel: (250) 342-9281