April 1, 2010
NDP Out-Of-Touch with Northerners

VANDERHOOF- The BC Liberal government is providing further tax breaks to northern consumers, but the NDP are opposing the move while insensitively dismissing it as a tax exemption for “gas guzzlers.”

“We are putting hundreds of dollars back in the pockets of northern residents by making trucks more affordable,” says Nechako Lakes MLA Rustad. “The NDP passes judgment about our driving with no regard for where we live or what we do to support our community’s economy. I have lived up north all my life and I know that people drive bigger vehicles because they are vital to our way of life.”

As part of the provincial government’s ongoing effort to reduce taxes for British Columbians, an up to three percent surtax on vehicles priced over $55,000 was eliminated. The NDP have been highly critical of this policy in complete disregard for northern workers and families who depend on larger, higher-priced vehicles as part of their employment as well as for safer driving in challenging terrain and winter climates. Rustad was especially disappointed this past week when he witnessed Victoria-Swan Lake NDP MLA Rob Fleming attack the tax breaks in the B.C. Legislature.

“This latest NDP attack is a real slap in the face to hard-working Northerners,” says Rustad. “The NDP refer to these vehicles as ‘luxuries’ and ‘gas guzzlers’, but what they fail to understand is that for a lot of people, these are trucks essential for work.”

“The NDP claim to support northern families, but we repeatedly see that their actions suggest otherwise,” adds Rustad. “They consistently vote against every policy our government has implemented to support northern communities.”

“In order to care about the North, you need to understand the North,” concludes Rustad. “Clearly, the NDP have a very serious lack of consideration for what it means to live and work up north.”

Visit John’s website at www.johnrustadmla.bc.ca 

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