The Shuswap Economy

December 16, 2011

It is likely that only a minority of Shuswap residents empathizes or even fully understands the Occupy Wall Street movement, and this is understandable given that the protests have primarily been focused on the increasing amount of greed, corruption and inequality in the United States. However, Canada like most other countries is not immune to the problems created largely by the one percent who control the biggest corporations and strongly influence government policies. Recently, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released the latest economic data that shows how inequality has increased significantly in Canada in the last few years. The ratio of income by the top 10 percent compared to the bottom 10 percent has increased from 8 to 1 in the 1990s to 10 to 1 now.

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[Published in the January, 2012 Watershed Sentinel]

As British Columbians we should all be proud that the Occupy Wall Street protests originated from the Vancouver based Adbusters Magazine, edited by Kalle Lasn. However, it is likely that only a minority of Canadians empathizes or even fully understands the Occupy Wall Street movement, and this is understandable given that the protests have primarily been focused on the increasing amount of greed, corruption and inequality in the United States.  In addition, most people are too pre-occupied with work and play to give the movement much attention and yet in order for the movement to grow it must capture the imagination of the majority.

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Two of the Shuswap’s most renowned summer residents were known in Canada for their contributions to history. Philip and Helen Akrigg published numerous books on British Columbia history, including British Columbia Chronicles and a number of editions of British Columbia Place Names. And as self-publishing pioneers, they were the first recipients of B.C.’s Heritage Award. I was fortunate to work with them when I co-edited the first few editions of the Shuswap Chronicles. And they were solid supporters for Shuswap environmental causes.

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In these days of economic turmoil, it is difficult to devise initiatives that would help boost our local economy. Certainly, the efforts of Salmon Arm and the CSRD economic development agencies to promote our region as a wonderful place to live and work can help to attract new businesses. However, there just are not that many businesses these days that are looking for a new community to build a manufacturing facility or set up a new office. Something else is needed that is different from what other communities are doing.

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From the worldwide debt crisis, to the growing Occupy Wall Street protests, to the contentious proposed developments here; the economy is the current hot topic for most people. At the most recent public hearing for a high density development in Scotch Creek, the mantra of the development supporters was that without new development, the local economy would wither and die. Is it true that local economies depend on continued development? Just what does make the Shuswap economy tick?

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