Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast have a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate after two major feel-good announcements.
While Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) was celebrating its 100th anniversary, news broke last Friday, Oct. 9, that the mill will be receiving more than $45 million under the federal government's Pulp and Paper Green Transformation program.
This money not only gives the mill a major financial shot in the arm, it allows mill employees to look towards the future with hope and prosperity. It helps position the mill in a struggling marketplace and gives them a competitive edge against U.S. competitors. And manager of environment and external relations Al Strang told me about the three projects this money is going towards - all will help the mill continue to save energy, which is good news for their bottom line and even better news for our environment.
I applaud HSPP, its employees and its union for the efforts they have made the past few months. Things have not been easy and we've had the unfortunate task of reporting layoffs at the mill on several occasions in recent months. The union stepped up big time, travelling to Ottawa for a rally, meeting with member of Parliament John Weston both in Ottawa and in Port Mellon and urging him and the Conservative government to step up and help the ailing pulp and paper industry. I might not always agree with the Conservatives on everything, but this funding and assistance for HSPP is a good news story and a great move. The Conservatives did indeed get this one right.
The good news continued late Monday night when we learned the Town of Gibsons was named the world's most liveable community by the United Nations-endorsed LivCom awards.
Mayor Barry Janyk, director of planning Chris Marshall and director of parks and culture Wendy Gilbertson were on hand last week in the Czech Republic making a presentation and graciously accepting the award on behalf of Gibsons.
The Town was recognized with the gold award in the "whole city" category of LivCom, population under 20,000, designed to encourage best practice, innovation and leadership in providing a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community that improves quality of life. Communities were judged across six criteria: enhancement of the landscape, heritage management, environmentally-sensitive practices, community sustainability, healthy lifestyles and planning for the future.
This is a huge accomplishment and something that should be celebrated.
A few years ago, the Town won a major award for having the best water in the world. Now they have this award to share with their residents.
I'm hoping the Town will celebrate these awards and use them as marketing tools to inspire tourism, encourage business and attract people to make Gibsons their home. The Town should use these awards to say, "We're open for business, we're a vibrant and thriving community, we're a community that you should be living in."
Indeed, there's much to be thankful for.
