8am – a packed house of guests to hear three speakers – MLA Linda Larson, OCC Warden Steve DiCastri and Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes – followed by the question and answer period.

Larson outlined the recently released BC financial position which the MLA says is healthy with the best economic indicators in Canada.

MLA Larson was asked about Affordable Housing and she said the government has another 500 million dollars being invested. But she says what is needed is low income housing as affordable housing in this area is being built to sell at over a quarter of a million dollars.

Larson says one problem is the protection of landlords and her government is ‘not doing a good enough job’ of that with changes coming. She says one bad apple can discourage a landlord from continuing. Mayor Hovanes says the Town likes to talk about attainable housing as the community has a fair stock of assisted living and low income housing.

Hovanes states that about 100 units on the drawing board for sale to those who will move to Oliver and buy a home.

Hovanes says Oliver has a stable economy – and is not a summer-only community. He says the future is bright with the corrections facility, Mt. Baldy, lots on Main Street selling and two large competitive food stores.

Warden DiCastri says it is time for the official opening of the provincial jail with a tentative date of October 21. That will be in the morning with tours in the afternoon for the public.

He says many people still to be hired prior to the start of programming in February. 20 kitchen staff will be hired by a contractor and all medical staff have not been acquired as yet. The warden expects one more training class for new recruits after the new year and a number of supervisory positions still open. 300 people will be employed with a ten million dollar annual payroll.  Warden DiCastri says he expects an increase in school population in the South Okanagan as the recently hired staff have a total of 55 school aged children.

DiCastri says the correctional centre will have a community room available for public use – a move to create goodwill in the Oliver area. Program staff will also be utilizing work in the Town and rural area for projects – man hours that will not take away anyone regular work but assist the community with pathways, clearing of land etc.

Event held at Murphy’s Pub and sponsored by Oliver Daily News.