| NDP Website Proves Economic Consultation A Sham
May 3, 2010 NDP Website Proves Economic Consultation A Sham VICTORIA – Carole James and the NDP are ignoring the advice of almost half of the economic organizations and experts cited on their own just-launched website by opposing the Harmonized Sales Tax, says Finance Minister Colin Hansen. “Carole James and the NDP are claiming now to care about the economy – yet they’ve already rejected the advice of a dozen of the economic organizations they list on their new website by opposing the HST,” says Hansen. “This proves the NDP’s so-called economic consultation is a complete sham when they have completely written off key input from a dozen organizations who have said the HST is the single biggest thing government can do to create jobs and increase investment. “This is a disturbing indication of how the NDP would run the economy – by asking for expert advice and promptly ignoring it,” says Hansen. Hansen was responding to the NDP’s new site: 'Our Province, Our Future,' which can be found at: www.ourprovinceourfuture.bc.ca. On the site, the NDP encourages people to get informed about the economy and provides “a growing list of resources on B.C.’s economy.” Included on this list is a link to a BC Progress Board report which strongly supports the HST, along with links to 12 organizations who all support the HST as critical to the economy. The Progress Board report states: “With the upcoming provincial tax reform (HST)... British Columbia is making significant progress towards being a better place in which to do business.” “Carole James and the NDP should take the time to read their own website, abandon their job-killing policies and support the HST,” says Hansen. “The NDP website confirms what we’ve been saying, the HST will increase B.C.’s competitiveness and create jobs. It’s time for the NDP to stop misleading the public and stand behind the very sources they cite on their web site as being 'resources on B.C.’s economy' and support the HST." Employers representing more than 1.3 million workers across British Columbia have supported the HST as it will bring jobs and increased wages to industries such as construction, mining, manufacturing, forestry, transportation, agriculture, retail and technology. -30- | |
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