Let me tell you about British Columbia

 Musings about British Columbia

Let me tell you about my experiences with living in southern British Columbia. Please bear with me this page eventually gets back on to the RV topic.

The first time we moved to Oliver, BC

We moved to Oliver in April to work for a winery as I had previously worked in viticulture in Victoria, Australia. 

Yarra Burn Victoria, Australia

I worked for a winery in Oliver, BC, and while the work was similar to Yarra Burn there seemed to be a hierarchy. More than just the chain of command. The "ol'e boy" system that exists in England and to a lesser degree in Australia is alive and well here in southern BC at least.

Yarra Burn was a great place to work, I actually enjoyed my work and the views rolling hills and temperate rainforest. The winery in Oliver included the same kind of work, I was operations manager, which means I basically managed the machinery used in the operation of a vineyard.

So while the work was similar the work ethic and the attitude towards employees is completely different.   

Here in southern British Columbia (the Okanagan and the East Kootenay regions) are the regions that have the mildest climate by Canadian standards. So these regions have typically medium industrial , commercial and alot of hospitality due the amount of tourism in the area. Increased tourism generally will mean low paying jobs and this is what you will get in these areas. I mean the average hourly rate seems to be around $20 - $27 p/hour. which is certainly a meager wage in an area with expensive housing and cost of living when compared to other areas.

Second time in the East Kootenay

Employers in others areas seem to be fine with asking you to do additional work that will be unpaid. I was a bit miffed at this as it does not benefit me financially at all, actually it seems that employees feel grateful for the privilege of being able to work. When I queried a fellow employee they said it was normal and that it's just part of the "sunshine tax" 

Pretty as a picture just don't work there

 The "sunshine tax" It's more a case of tight-assed small/medium companies in a position to screw over it's locals who have limited options of employment.

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