April 30, 2010
Ten Questions for Carole James on the Economy

1)    Major employers representing more than 1 million workers in B.C. agree the HST is the most important step we can take to improve B.C.’s competitiveness, create jobs and increase wages.  How can you claim to support these same employers while opposing the HST?

2)    You campaigned on reinstating the corporate capital tax in the 2009 election. Why do you think taxing investment will be good for the economy?

3)    You called for raising corporate income taxes by $150 million at the 2009 UBCM when you stated: “today I am calling on the provincial government to cancel the corporate tax cuts.” Why do you think raising taxes on businesses will help the economy?

4)    You said: “It doesn’t work to make tax cuts.” You have voted against over 120 tax cuts, including voting against reducing the small business tax to zero by 2012, and you have repeatedly called for more spending.   Why won’t you say which other taxes you would increase and by how much?

5)    You have repeatedly called for more spending and said that under the NDP the deficit would be larger and last longer. Given the debt crisis in Greece, why do you think running big deficits will be good for B.C.’s economy?

6)    The NDP election platform called for $412 million in new taxes on the oil and gas sector. Why do you believe a punitive tax on B.C.’s biggest revenue generator is going to help the economy?

7)    You have campaigned against all independent clean power projects and oppose Site C. These projects represent billions in investment and thousands of jobs.  How does opposing every clean energy project in B.C. help the economy?

8)    The NDP has said they would renegotiate the Softwood Lumber Agreement “up to and including abrogation.” Why do you want to rip up the SLA when forestry companies have clearly said it’s a bad idea and will destabilize the industry?

9)    The NDP oppose the Highway 37 power line – which will open the Northwest to mining investment – as well as projects like the Prosperity mine that would create 500 jobs in the Central Interior. Why doesn’t the NDP support these critical mining projects?

10) The South Fraser Perimeter Road and the new Port Mann / Hwy 1 project will relieve congestion that costs our economy billions. Yet you said: “It’s the wrong bridge and the wrong plan.”  Why does the NDP oppose both of those projects?

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