September 23, 2009
NDP Reckless with B.C.'s Future

VICTORIA – The NDP stood in the Legislature and rejected a plan that protects vital services like health care and provides tax relief for families and small businesses.

“The 2009 Budget Update positions our province to lead the rest of the country in economic growth and responsible fiscal management,” says Chilliwack MLA John Les, who is also chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance.  “Voting against policies that ensure our core health services are protected, that provide tax measures to stimulate the economy is both reckless and irresponsible of the NDP. 

“Our government was elected to build a strong B.C. economy and to position our province for a strong future. The NDP is too busy spreading inflammatory remarks and unproductive rhetoric to support solutions that will allow B.C. to come out of this time of economic uncertainty in a stronger position.”

The BC NDP voted yesterday against:

• Increasing spending for health services by nearly 18 per cent over the next three years, reaching $15.7 billion by 2010/11.
• Introducing full-day kindergarten, providing $151 million to services for 50 per cent of five-year olds as early as next year, and for all five-year olds by fall 2011.
• Raising the small business income tax threshold $100,000, saving small business in B.C. $20 million annually.
• Reducing the small business tax rate to zero by 2012.
• Extending the mining flow-through share tax credit to 2010.
• Increasing the basic personal income tax credit by 17 per cent, providing individual taxpayers with increased financial flexibility and helping to stimulate the economy.

Carole James and the BC NDP also voted against the single greatest initiative that every leading economist believes will help build a strong B.C. economy. The Harmonized Sales Tax is estimated to remove over $2 billion in costs for B.C. businesses, including an estimated $1.9 billion of sales tax removed from business inputs and an estimated $150 million annually in compliance costs.

“The NDP have consistently rejected every initiative that has made B.C. one of the strongest economies in Canada,” says Les. “British Columbians want solutions, not empty rhetoric. It’s time Carole James supports a stronger B.C.”

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