Job creation was on the minds of all three mayoral candidates at last Wednesday night’s all-candidates forum.

That was the theme of each candidate’s answer to a question asking what Merritt’s biggest need is aside from health care.

Neil Menard said that Merritt needs to attract industry.

“Small industry, big industry, do things to get the downtown core — get all those empty buildings filled up — attract major business, large industrial,” he said, noting the city needs to find the right location for those types of businesses.

He said Merritt shouldn’t develop a reputation that it doesn’t want big business to come to the city.

“I think jobs for our young people is of the upmost importance,” he said.

Mike Jolly said he agreed with Menard that jobs were his top issue aside from health care, but was opposed to heavy industrial businesses, saying the city needs to look for light industrial (M1) businesses to invite into town as they consist of businesses that are not detrimental to people’s health.

Incumbent Susan Roline also agreed that jobs are important, but in order to fill those jobs, Merritt needs healthy and productive residents.

Roline mentioned her work with the Merritt Integration Project (MIP) which involves a collection of service providers in Merritt such as ASK Wellness, Interior Community Services as well as provincial and federal government representatives.

She said MIP has developed a strategic plan which includes goals surrounding how to get people working, into affordable housing, quitting addictions and helping people with disabilities.

The mayoral candidates were asked to provide their thoughts on ways in which the city can grow its population.

Roline said the city needs to be open and receptive to investors looking to invest in Merritt, while at the same time keeping Merritt’s integrity in mind.

“I think we need to create better paying jobs,” she said.

She also said the population will grow when locals spread the word of what Merritt has to offer.

Menard said attracting jobs will grow Merritt’s population, but so will having attractions such as the lacrosse box currently being built, and the skateboard park.

“Those are the kinds of things that we need to grow the population,” Menard said. He also said Merritt needs a better hospital as well.

Jolly said infrastructure improvements can help attract people to live in Merritt.

“If you build it, they will come,” Jolly said.  

Candidates were also asked to give an example of a time in their lives that proved they can deal with the stress of being mayor.

Jolly spoke of his time as a shop steward as an example of being able to handle the type of stress that comes with being a mayor, noting he had 128 employees to look after.

Roline mentioned the opposition the recent rebranding slogan “Country with Attitude” brought about from members of the community as an example of being able to handle the stress the position as mayor brings.

Menard said his job prior to residing in Merritt involved collective bargaining, which was a stressful job.

About 140 people turned out to the Civic Centre for the forum.