Dear Editor:
On Sunday, April 29 a letter from a resident relayed a concern about the benefits to the North Shore of Seaspan being awarded a large federal ship building contract (Seaspan, Harbourside Benefits Questioned).
I would suggest that such an award should be celebrated, it will bring additional jobs to the North Shore not only at Seaspan, but in associated spin-off benefits to the local economy.
The condominium developments currently taking place in the Lonsdale and Marine Drive area will provide opportunities for the additional employees to live close to work. Yes, the North shore housing is not cheap, however this was a factor long before Seaspan was awarded the ship building contract and is not a result of it.
Abilities to train the workers will have been considered long ago, the required skill sets can be taught. Some employees might come from abroad; the skill sets move to where the jobs are, and if the jobs are in North Vancouver that's a thing to be commended.
The concern about how the materials will get to the North Shore is interesting. I believe that in this modern era this is not a logistical issue. If we can supply the materials to build a mega project such as an underground train from Vancouver to Richmond, then we can certainly supply the materials to build the ships.
Yes, the additional work might result in increased traffic; however, I believe that this it is better to be living in a vibrant expanding economy as opposed to a stagnant or shrinking one.
The letter in closing refers to a "demand that our communities be built by Canadians for Canadians earning Canadian dollars." This is exactly what is taking place with Seaspan being awarded the contact. The jobs are local, and pumping additional Canadian dollars into the local economy. Would an alternative of building the ships in either a different Canadian province or abroad help the local economy? I suggest not.
In closing, I say let's celebrate the ship-building contract as opposed to looking for negatives.
Blaine Barden North Vancouver
