Premier-designate Doerkson says Conservatives committed to all campaign promises

“And so ultimately those things are not in our platform. What I’ve promised in the platform I’m committed to. And in fact, we’ve already had conversations about some of that legislation already.”

Doerkson said the promise of tax relief for British Columbians is one of the most immediate legislative priorities.

“Definitely tax relief, definitely the PST exemption for businesses and definitely, I want to make sure that the PST expansion does not happen because, of course, that had a number of challenges not just for businesses but also potentially seniors and certainly the conversation around property tax deferral.”

Doerkson also still has to choose a cabinet, but he recognizes that only one MLA, Teresa Wat, has sat in a government position before.

Another priority is digging into the province’s books and getting a sense of the deficit, with Doerkson already announcing he wants to appoint an independent financial review panel.

Doerkson also vowed to repeal B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which prompted Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, to say that would be a “declaration of war.”

Doerkson is vowing to grow B.C.’s economy through major resource projects and backing for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast, but he knows that moving forward will require First Nations buy-in and participation.

“I appreciate the comments that Mr. Phillips made. I look forward to meeting with him, frankly,” Doerkson said.

“I think he’ll find that, and I have sat in a room with him before, and he would find or certainly know that I’m committed to First Nations in this province and committed to building better relationships.”

by Amy Judd & Ben O'Hara-Byrne/Global News

Premier-designate Doerkson says Conservatives committed to all campaign promises

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