STONE – Dark economic storm clouds are thickening on B.C.’s horizon

(Image: Govt of B.C.)

By TODD STONE
MLA, Kamloops-South Thompson

THE BEGINNING OF 2020 marks the fourth calendar year with the NDP government in office and as we look ahead to the start of the new legislative session in February, I find myself reflecting on these last few shaky years under John Horgan’s leadership.

MLA Todd Stone.

When the BC Liberals left government in 2017, the NDP inherited a $2.7 billion surplus, and yet after only a few years in power, we see the budget teetering on the edge of deficit — despite the government bringing in an additional $10 billion in tax revenue through their 19 new and increased taxes.

NDP taxes such as the Employer Health Tax (EHT) have been increasing the financial burden on B.C. businesses, and as such, small business confidence in B.C. has plummeted. At the end of last year, small businesses in the province reported some of the lowest levels of confidence since 2009.

Small businesses are not the only employers facing increased pressure under the current government as over the last year, we have watched the worst forestry crisis in 40 years unfold throughout the province. Thousands of B.C. workers are out of jobs after dozens of mill shutdowns and shift curtailments rocked forestry-dependent communities and the families who call them home.

While the crisis increased in severity month after month, hard-hit communities waited for action from their government, hoping for some show of support and relief for those struggling. Instead, British Columbians watched as their government ignored the very existence of the crisis for months.

As a result of poor NDP leadership over the past year, we saw in November the staggering loss of 25,800 private-sector jobs in B.C, making it abundantly clear that the government’s complete lack of a jobs plan is taking its toll.

The NDP have no plan to grow the economy. They have no goals or strategies to generate jobs. And as workers lose jobs across the province, the government is doing little to support important infrastructure projects like the Coastal Gaslink pipeline, which are significant job creators.