By Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar

Flip-flop season has arrived

Apr 5, 2019 | 9:07 AM

WITH THE WARMER WEATHER comes a flip-flop season of a different kind. I’m talking about John Horgan and the NDP’s remarkable flip-flopping on a few different fronts.

Let’s start with the NDP’s position on liquefied natural gas, or LNG. When our former BC Liberal government shared our vision for bringing this valuable new industry to British Columbia, John Horgan laughed us off. In 2014 he noted, “All the Premier has wanted to talk about for as long as I can remember is liquefied natural gas and the fairy tales that go along with it.” In 2015 he said, “I would stop spending all my time talking about an industry that’s going nowhere.”

Fast forward to the NDP taking office, and suddenly LNG is a good idea that will bring big benefits to B.C. — imagine that! And thank goodness for that sudden change of heart, because British Columbians truly will benefit from the jobs and revenues to come.

John Horgan and the NDP also took issue with the LNG tax regime our former government proposed to entice companies to set up shop. Now-Minister Claire Trevena said in 2014, “They cave in on taxes. Of course it’s not a negotiation; it’s caving in. I mean, it’s selling out the province.” Her colleague, now-Minister Michelle Mungall commented in 2015, “There’s a revenue-generation opportunity that has been sold out by this government.”

Now in government, the NDP is singing a different tune. They have taken a number of our former government’s proposals and taken them even further. While they argued the BC Liberals were giving away the farm, they are now expanding these tax benefits.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

They also appear to have revised their opinion regarding local hires versus temporary foreign workers. While in Opposition four years ago Carole James said, “It seems to me that it would be even more important for a premier, if they were really looking out for British Columbia, to make sure that there were jobs for British Columbians written into this agreement.” Then-Opposition leader John Horgan urged, “We should make sure… that if we invite someone to take that product from the ground, they hire British Columbians and Canadians to do that.”

But now, in government, the NDP is refusing to make any guarantees for B.C. workers in its deal with LNG Canada. The finance minister has admitted the number of British Columbians working on the project could range from just 35 to 55 per cent of the total workforce. Our caucus also obtained a government briefing note that shows plans have been made to expedite the use of foreign workers. It’s clear the NDP is abandoning its former position on the matter.

After much questioning of the NDP’s LNG tax legislation, our caucus supported it because we continue to believe strongly in the benefits that a thriving LNG sector will bring to the province. But it’s stunning to see how John Horgan and the NDP have drastically reversed course on this issue, after the years of mockery and intense criticism they levelled at our former government.

Meanwhile, the NDP has been furiously airing partisan radio and print ads against the BC Liberals — something they loudly protested against when they were in opposition. Now, having formed government, they’ve had a change of heart on the matter and now call the ads ‘informative.’ SFU political science professor Stewart Prest has rightfully pointed out in media reports that they are opening themselves up to charges of hypocrisy.

Whether it’s their LNG legislation or their about-face on the use of partisan advertising, it’s clear that John Horgan and his NDP government operate with the mentality of ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ It makes you wonder what else they will conveniently change their minds about, as their current term in office continues to unfold.

——

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.