VERNON – New Democrat MLA Harwinder Sandhu says new support from the BC NDP government for tourism projects in the North Okanagan will attract visitors, boost local economies and help communities recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Vernon is an incredible hub for arts, culture, and recreation in the Okanagan, and the industry plays a vital role in our local economy and creating opportunities for people,” said MLA Sandhu. “I’m so glad we’re able to support this work with these important infrastructure upgrades, creating new opportunities for visitors to our region and helping people explore even more of the North Okanagan.”

The funding for these projects is part of a $21.3 million investment from the BC New Democrat government for shovel-ready destination development projects. People in the North Okanagan will benefit from this funding, as it will not only support people working in tourism but also help grow the local economy into the future.

The destination development funding invests in implementation-ready tourism infrastructure and amenities projects that support the recovery and resilience of tourism by creating jobs and developing infrastructure that will attract visitors to B.C. communities in the near and long term.  Projects were chosen for their demonstrated tourism benefits to communities and British Columbians, along with new jobs, many of which will provide employment for apprentices, youth, new Canadians, women, and First Nations.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New Democrat government has worked closely with B.C.’s tourism sector and provided $228 million in support to ensure businesses and non-profits can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come.

Learn More: More investments made in B.C.’s tourism infrastructure