WARM UP THOSE VOCAL CHORDS!: Choirs seek new members PAGE 13
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2022
WRITE ON!
VOL. 48 NO. 30
BIUndercurrent
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
Photos and message from Write on Bowen PAGE 10
Housing survey shows challenges for businesses and employees
SEVERAL DOZEN SUMMER WORKERS STILL SEARCHING WELL INTO JULY
ALEX KURIAL Editor
A FIREFIGHTER IS BORN: There was plenty of fun - and a little learning too - at the Bowen Fire Department’s ‘Hot Summer Nights’ earlier this month. Kids got to test out the many tools which are used on the job, with the fire hose being by far the most popular attraction. For the photo gallery of Bowen’s future first responders, including this captain in the making, turn to Pages 6-7. / Alex Kurial photo
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A recent survey of the worker housing situation on Bowen painted a difficult reality of the search. The Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) canvassed business owners in June and July on several staff housing related questions, including whether both their seasonal and year-round staff had found places to live, what kind of solutions they envisioned for the issue, and what impacts the housing situation was having on themselves and their employees. The answers were particularly alarming for seasonal workers. When the survey closed in early July, there were still more than 60 staff looking for a place to live. With responses from 56 of the island’s 605 licenced business owners, it’s likely the actual number of workers looking for a home is even higher. “I was surprised that so many people didn’t have housing lined up for seasonal staff – that that was an issue in mid-summer,” said Coun. Sue Ellen Fast during a presentation of the results during the July 25 council meeting. Two-thirds of businesses had two or more summer staff still looking for a place. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3