Details

WHEREAS there is a growing need to attract and retain qualified, skilled professionals to meet the increased demands of the resource industry in northern British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS a financial incentive will encourage those educated in the north to stay in the north:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the senior levels of government to provide (a) a tax credit of $3,000.00 for a period of five years and (2) forgive student loans, for graduating skilled professionals who choose to be educated in and live in rural British Columbia.

BACKGROUND:

This type of program has worked extremely well for health care professionals.  All indications are that there will be a shortage of skilled workers in BC.  The BC government has rolled out a skills and training action plan that promises to help connect British Columbians with job training in areas where skills are in demand.  It also is designed to encourage students to look at the technical and trades occupations where shortages are emerging.  As part of this we believe that an extra incentive to those who choose to work and live in rural BC will result in filling the demand in these areas.

Additional Information

UBCM Comments:

The UBCM membership endorsed resolution 2012-B151, which asked the federal government to provide a five-year tax credit for graduating skilled professionals who choose to be educated in and live in rural BC.