The NDP's Election Campaign? Spend Billions, Reduce Entry Level Minimum Pay Jobs, Kill New High Paying Union Jobs ... and ... a Sprinkle of Pixie Dust

The next provincial election in BC is just six and a half months away, and what we would expect from the NDP is definitely in their campaign plan.  But what's happening with an ally of theirs however ... the BC Federation of Labour? 

 

The labour union, which should be championing increased high paying union jobs ... you know the ones that support families (and that grows union membership) ... is instead fighting for higher minimum wages, and opposing resource development. 

 

In an August 31st story in the Georgia Straight the BC Federation's Irene Lanzinger said they're backing the New Democrats.  She stated; " ... the vote largely comes down to one issue: the minimum wage. “The NDP is the major provincial party that has committed to a $15 minimum wage and recognizes that that’s what people need [in order] to be above the poverty line.” 

 

Of course NDP leader John Horgan is ready to comply, as he has already stated that if his party forms the next government, it will raise the provinces minimum wage to $15 an hour ... in its first term.

 

Now don't get me wrong, no one should earn slave wages, however it should be understood by all, but the most left wing individual, that raising minimum wages (on what are generally entry level and / or part-time employment) KILLS JOBS.

 

Disagree if you want, but you'll be wrong!  It DOES happen every time.  Employers cut staff, they cut hours, and they find new ways to automate the businesses they run.

 

Now as to the kind of jobs you'd think the BC Federation of Labour would be fighting for, well their party of choice continues to be adamantly opposed.

 

Kinder Morgan .... NO.  John Horgan launched an online campaign stating that, "... this risky proposal is not in BC's best interests ..." 

 

Pacific Northwest LNG ... NO.  " ... though Horgan has long expressed support for LNG development in principle, he opposes Pacific NorthWest LNG." 

 

This should be a no brainer for all, but obviously it is not.  What the hell are the labour unions thinking in fighting for higher minimum wages, but opposing the kinds of jobs that would support families ... AND AT THE SAME TIME allow for more spin-off jobs ... and more retail jobs through the money their members would earn and want to spend?

 

Jobs too, that would provide the government with higher revenue from more people being employed, and from those new business and industries.

 

Jobs too that would then (from those higher government revenues) allow for more to be spent on Health Care, Education, and Social Services.

 

NO, instead the BC NDP plan to sprinkle pixie dust over the governments bank accounts (general revenue) and magically grow it to cover another insane idea ... $10 a day child care.  Well in part anyway.

 

With a ONE POINT FIVE BILLION DOLLAR cost (estimated by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives).  NDP leader Horgan has said that the financing of the child-care plan will be unveiled closer to the election, however he has already indicated that it will be funded in part by reversing tax additional cuts that had been forced on those earning $150 thousand dollars a year.

The rest?  Well, in taking a page from the Justin Trudeau federal Liberals, he likely has NO plans to cost any of the election promises he plans to make ... other than, higher taxes!  In s story from the Vancouver Sun he stated; "I’m not being glib when I say that (providing detailed costing). Justin Trudeau didn’t cost a damn thing."

So there you have it.

The NDP's Election Campaign?  Spend Billions -- Reduce Entry Level Minimum Pay Jobs -- Kill New High Paying Union Jobs ... and ... a sprinkle of pixie dust.

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth.