File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo
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SOUND OFF: NDP needs to listen up as we rebuild our economy

Sep 16, 2021 | 12:05 PM

THE B.C. ECONOMY HAS TAKEN SEVERAL HITS over the past couple of years. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to drag on and another devastating wildfire season has taken its toll.

The pandemic has forced numerous businesses to shutter for good, as reduced numbers of visitors has caused a huge drop in revenues. We’ve seen out-of-control wildfires destroy homes, businesses and entire communities. People have had to stand by and watch as circumstances outside their control have taken away their livelihoods. It’s incredibly heartbreaking and requires a compassionate and effective response from government.

Sadly, many individuals and business owners I’ve talked to say they don’t feel listened to and as a result, the NDP government is failing to provide the supports they need to move forward.

That’s why our caucus has organized a virtual roundtable discussion with a number of B.C. business owners, municipal officials and community leaders during this week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, which I’m pleased to be a part of as the B.C. Liberal Critic for Labour. The dialogue will focus on how we ensure B.C. has what it needs for a thriving post-pandemic economy — things like targeted and useful supports, a skilled workforce and innovation.

When it comes to those supports, John Horgan and the NDP have managed to botch them every step of the way. As they rolled out various recovery grant programs, they created even more uncertainty with their confusing eligibility criteria and mixed messaging. This has led to a lot of frustration at a time when stability is needed.

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When it comes to our workforce and job creation, the NDP has refused to acknowledge what’s really going on. This is a point that my colleague Todd Stone, our critic for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation has been hammering for many months. John Horgan and his government continue to paint a rosy picture of B.C.’s economic recovery, despite the fact the latest numbers from Statistics Canada show B.C. has 17,400 fewer private sector jobs compared to pre-pandemic levels. The hidden unemployment rate — which includes people that have given up looking for work or have worked fewer hours — remains at 9.6 per cent, showing more British Columbians are giving up on finding stable employment as they struggle to find things like affordable housing and child care.

These individuals are out of luck on those fronts too, because the NDP has fallen well short of its commitment to build 114,000 new units of housing in 10 years — constructing just 5,269 units over four years. And where is the $400 renters’ rebate or universal $10-a-day child care? The first commitment remains totally unfulfilled, and the second one remains out of reach for most families.

John Horgan and the NDP simply aren’t listening to British Columbians or understanding their needs. That’s their job. The sooner they heed the calls from those desperately trying to recover their livelihoods, and respond to their needs in the ways they are asking for — the sooner we can build a strong economic future for our province.

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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 Pattison Media.

by Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

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