Gary Coons

VICTORIA—The B.C. Liberals have failed to provide an economic vision for British Columbia beyond the 2010 Olympic Games, says New Democrat Leader Carole James.

“Today B.C. is facing significant challenges, including heavy job losses, persistent child poverty rates and an extended recession in which families are struggling to make ends meet. Not only did the Liberals fail to mention these challenges in the Throne Speech, they failed to put forward a plan to address them,” said James.

“A year ago, the B.C. Liberals promised ‘bold action’ on the economy. They delivered deep cuts to public services, a plan for more privatization and the Harmonized Sales Tax – a regressive tax that will hurt consumers and small businesses and kill jobs. That’s the wrong approach for our economy, and New Democrats will continue the fight to stop the HST.”

North Coast MLA Gary Coons echoed these concerns. “This speech from the Premier highlights how out of touch he is with those struggling in our province. We needed a visionary discourse that would guide through this difficult time and all we got was indicators that B.C. is in for even deeper cuts and tough times to come.”

Coons recognized the Premier’s ability at ‘doublespeak’ throughout the Throne Speech. For example when the Premier says:

1) The government will “take a fresh look at B.C.’s regulatory regimes,”…

Translation: more cuts to ministry staff who enforce provincial laws and regulations, and a complete watering down of current Environmental Assessments to the detriment of our fish and wildlife.

2) “the government will pursue more public-private partnerships in “transportation, health delivery, education support services, systems management and more,”…

Translation: a continuation of the outsourcing of public jobs to private interests, out of the reach of FOI and public reporting, and funneling profits into multi-national corporations instead of into vital public services…..privatize , privatize to the detriment of the public!

3)  “lowering taxes remains a core feature of the government’s prosperity agenda..This session will feature additional measures to restore our economy and to create jobs in every sector;”…

Translation: Reducing government revenues even further in a time of already depressed tax revenues – either through further tax down-shifting from business to individual taxpayers, increased user-fees in lieu of taxes, or both…. just another downloading onto individuals and municipalities.

4) “Stemming the unaffordable growth in health costs is essential in meeting our obligation to rebalance the budget by 2013,” the speech said. “As long as we are spending more money to pay for our services than we are generating in revenue, we are living beyond our means.”…

Translation: Continue the massive service and funding cuts, as a means of degrading public services to the point where taxpayers will have to accept privatized service models in health care and other social services .

“British Columbians realize that we are in an unique position to build a sustainable economy that helps tackle climate change and creates the green jobs of tomorrow.” claims Coons, “Nothing in this Throne Speech laid any groundwork to reassure us this Premier has any economic vision past the Olympic games. The Speech deserved a ‘Gold Medal’ for its lack of vision and rehashing of old ideas.”