By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

Throne speech offers no vision for B.C.’s economy

Feb 13, 2019 | 3:28 PM

AS THE OPPOSITION CO-CRITIC for Jobs, Trade and Technology, I look to the throne speech with great interest on all matters impacting jobs and the economy. But if you, like I, were hoping the NDP government’s throne speech would provide some insight into how it plans to grow B.C.’s economy and create more jobs in this province— sadly, you’ll have to keep waiting. While it’s supposed to be a forward-looking document, it didn’t provide any exciting prospects for those looking for new opportunities to support their families.

The NDP has been in government for nearly two years now, and doesn’t seem to grasp the importance of a strong economy. It’s particularly strange given all the lavish spending promises the NDP has made to British Columbians.

I’m not alone in this assessment. Following the throne speech, the Business Council of B.C. expressed concern “…about the lack of government attention being paid to the provincial economy,” noting “…the ability to provide high quality public services which enhance our collective quality of life depends on a competitive and thriving economy.”

This is a government that claims it is working hard to make life affordable for people— but how can you do that when you don’t have a strategy to improve the economy, put more people to work and pay for services to improve their lives? It just doesn’t add up.

Not only is there no vision for the future, there seems to be no backing down on the NDP’s imposition of taxes. Since taking office, this government is responsible for piling 19 new or increased taxes on British Columbians. This slew of taxes will hurt the average person in the pocketbook, and is a contributing factor to B.C.’s declining competitiveness not only in Canada, but in North America as a whole.

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A recent Fraser Institute study confirms B.C.’s taxes on business investment are now among the highest in the country, making it harder to attract good jobs and skilled workers to the province. The study shows B.C. businesses are investing less per worker than the Canadian average, and the gap is growing. B.C. now has to compete with new, lower investment taxes in the United States— so the chance of good-paying jobs fleeing to Washington, Oregon, and California has never been greater.

By scaring away businesses, workers, and investors, this government is on a completely backward path. Unfortunately, its throne speech offered little hope of a positive vision and new ideas to move British Columbia forward.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.