{"id":53343,"date":"2021-07-14T14:44:46","date_gmt":"2021-07-14T18:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canada-info.ca\/?p=53343"},"modified":"2021-07-14T16:02:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-14T20:02:35","slug":"campbell-river-may-be-erecting-billboards-supporting-two-key-industries-not-three","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canada-info.ca\/en\/campbell-river-may-be-erecting-billboards-supporting-two-key-industries-not-three\/","title":{"rendered":"Campbell River erecting billboards supporting two key industries"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Roy L Hales<\/p>\n

Campbell River<\/a> may be erecting billboards for two of its three key pillar industries<\/a> \u2014 aquaculture and forestry \u2014 but not tourism<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0fish farms being phased out in the Discovery Islands by 2022,<\/a>\u00a0 and the provincial government moving to curtail old growth logging<\/a>, mayor and council felt a need to show its support for these two sectors.<\/p>\n

At their\u00a0June 14 meeting<\/a>, city council decided to erect three 8\u00d716 foot billboards, promoting all all three sectors at the Southern entrances to the city.<\/p>\n

In response, the\u00a0Tourism Advisory Committee<\/a>\u00a0(TAC) wrote:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we may all realize that forestry and aquaculture are important components of our economy, unfortunately, many visitors do not support these industries. Signs at the borders of our city, expressing love toward logging and fish farming will likely alienate many visitors with opposing views and could do significant damage to our reputation as a tourism destination. Conversely, these signs would do little to benefit forestry and aquaculture since they would only be viewed by locals and tourists. If Council\u2019s intention is to fight for these important local industries, then the message should be directed toward decision makers in Victoria and Ottawa, not toward visitors to Campbell River.\u201d<\/p>\n

After some discussion at their July 12 meeting, council decided to move ahead with billboards supporting forestry and aquaculture.<\/p>\n

When he made the motion,\u00a0Mayor Andy Adams <\/a>said the tourism committee has the the option of opting in, but the city should proceed anyway.<\/p>\n

There was only one dissenting vote: Director Claire Moglove<\/a>\u00a0wanted to see if there was messaging that all three sectors could agree on.<\/p>\n

Adams<\/a> was expressing the majority view on council when he said he did not want the debate to drag on any longer.<\/p>\n

Links of Interest:<\/h2>\n