The proponents of the proposed all-seasons resort Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) have released a regional impact study reinforcing their claim the development would provide quality jobs - but critics say the numbers don't hold weight.The study shows the median operational salary of the ski and golf resort would be $42,206 annually. The study shows even better wages involved in creating the site, which would also include over 22,000 bed units, with construction workers' annual salaries estimated at $65,024."The construction and development of Garibaldi at Squamish and operations of a world-class all-season resort creates world-class careers," said GAS president Mike Esler. "Many people assume that ski resorts create only low-paying, front-line jobs since they are most visible to guests. This is simply not true."The estimates are based on a midpoint between the highest and lowest paying jobs in each sector. The figure does not account for how many low-paying jobs there may be relative to the higher-paying ones."This is meaningless as it assumes that everyone will be working at the equivalent of being a food service supervisor or hotel supervisor," said Save Garibaldi member Catherine Jackson. "In fact there will be more counter staff and lower food service positions and much fewer well paid/skilled positions." The opposition group has long criticized GAS for proposing more service sector jobs amidst a labour shortage.For those Squamish residents already in the service industry in Whistler, GAS offers similar work with less of a commute, said Esler, noting that jobs close to home bring benefits to "the local economy, residents and the environment by reducing distances required to commute to work, given that the entrance to the resort is only a 10-minute drive from downtown Squamish."Jackson said she didn't believe the drive to work would be much shorter."The jobs that they are offering are not in Squamish, but are located halfway up Brohm Ridge, a commute that is probably only 15 minutes shorter than Whistler and with no bus service offered by the proponents."She said there would soon be far more hotel-related jobs in town with the three new hotels coming to Squamish.With several large developments set to begin near Shannon Falls, Waterfront Landing, and the Business Park, she said construction workers would be able to find plenty of jobs in town."Unemployment in the construction industry is virtually nil in Squamish at present," she said. "To support the construction of GAS, employees would need to be imported from other areas, but a shortage of skilled labour is a province-wide problem."The study was conducted this spring by Talent Edge Solutions using current and historical data. Its overall conclusion is that GAS will have a positive impact on the local employment and economic conditions.The Squamish Chamber of Commerce came to a similar conclusion when they lent their support to GAS in May. When the decision was made, chamber president Margo Dent listed many of the strengths laid out in the recent study, noting it would provide long-term jobs close to home, which Esler said has become his mantra. Jackson said she believes the project would do just the opposite."This development has far more impacts on Squamish than just jobs - are we willing to accept higher real estate values, corresponding higher taxes and lack of affordability? Would all the low-income ski hill operations workers live in this kind of economic climate?"
