Mayor Lantz on the Economy and Fort Hotel

Following a full percentage point increase in January, BC Stats puts the Northeast BC unemployment rate, at 4.6%.

The increase occurred despite an 8.5% hike in employment because it was more than offset by an 11% increase in the size of the region’s labor force.

Nevertheless, the Northeast jobless rate remains the lowest in the province and is thought to be in what Mayor Bruce Lantz calls a bit of bubble.

However, speaking on Issues and Answers this morning, he cautioned local area residents, about becoming complacent about the reccesssion…

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The Mayor also addressed the communities major ongoing eye-sore problem, at the site of old Fort Hotel, at the corner of 100th avenue and 100th street.

Acknowledging that it looks worse now than it did before demolition, he says the city has had on-going discussions with the property owner…

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In the meantime, the mayor says a chain link fence is being put around the property to address safety concerns.