A lifelong Campbell River resident wants to bring more high-paying jobs to the community as he seeks a seat on city council.
Ferris Stirling worked in the forestry sector for several years before the mill shut down. He then moved into banking, and now works for a federal non profit program that helps local small businesses that aren’t able to get help from banks or credit unions.
Stirling said council has done a good job of limiting property tax increases in recent years. If elected, he wants to keep increases between zero and the rate of inflation.
He also praised efforts to revitalize downtown through community events such as the summer concert series and live streets expansion, but said more work is needed to keep the area vibrant.
“It’s moved in the right direction as far as being safer and cleaner,” said Stirling. “It’s by no means perfect, but with the way things were going before I think it was quite the issue.”
Stirling said the city has done well to add housing options but believes more needs to be done to increase supply and bring down costs.
He said people are leaving Campbell River to find work and wants to attract more high-paying jobs to the community.
“You used to be able to graduate and get into a good six-figure jobs, whether it was in forestry, or mining, or some of the fishing jobs,” Stirling said. “A lot of that has evaporated. I would like to see a return to some of those types of industries. Especially with the new science and technology that we have, and the environmental controls that we have here, I think there’s a huge opportunity in this region.”
If elected, Stirling hopes to keep property tax increases modest, continue revitalizing downtown and address housing supply and affordability.
General voting day is Oct. 17.
