By Greg Fry

Kamloops MLAs blast throne speech for lack of detail

Feb 13, 2018 | 3:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Liberals MLAs Todd Stone and Peter Milobar blasted the minority NDP government’s throne speech Tuesday for being short on details and specifics.

“I think that today’s throne speech was 50 minutes that British Columbians will never get back,” quipped Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Stone. “This was a speech that was absolutely devoid of any detail. Every social cause known to the world were mentioned and I think social advocates and environmental warriors within the NDP might be pleased with that long laundry list.”

So, what was missing?

“There were no details whatsoever on how the government is going to deal with affordability in this province. How they’re going to keep their promises with respect to $10 a day daycare or completion grants for university graduates or how they’re actually going to cover off the reduction of the other half of the MSP.”

Stone added there was plenty in it about sharing the wealth but “absolutely no talk about creating the wealth.”

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“No blueprint for jobs or economic growth in this province and still no details on how this government is going to meet its primary election commitments.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar agreed with Stone, noting the speech was “quite stunning for a lack of anything of substance in it.”

“It was very similar to their budget update throne speech (in September) when they first took power and it makes one wonder what they’ve been doing for the last seven months.”

And as his party’s environment critic, Milobar said it was “very telling” that though the NDP’s Environment Minister George Heyman promised the environment would be a high priority in his government, it “was buried on page 20 of a 21.5 page document.”

Milobar added he didn’t have an issue with the NDP’s emphasis on social issues, noting “I think everyone recognizes that people need help and support.”

However, he was still disappointed the government’s plans were “very short on detail. Especially for a throne speech that’s probably one of the longer ones in modern history.”