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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

All I can say is if that’s how maintaining a strong economy, and putting people first works, I’m not so sure those of us living in BC will be able to afford much more of it


Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology

Today, Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, had much to say following the release of Statistics Canada's February Labour Force Survey.  He did however miss a few stats that I'm sure he was hoping people wouldn't see – well I did:



Bruce Ralston, “British Columbia maintains the strongest economy in the country, and we’re committed to continue working hard and putting people first" 

BC Statistics / Statistics Canada ... average weekly earnings in British Columbia ranked behind Alberta ($1,148.45), Newfoundland and Labrador ($1,051.04), Ontario ($1,034.76) and Saskatchewan ($1,017.65). 

Bruce Ralston, “Unemployment remained low at a rate of 4.5%. In fact, BC has led the country with the lowest unemployment rate for 18 months in a row. An additional 69,200 jobs were added in the past year — the vast majority being full time and in the private sector”

BC Statistics / Statistics Canada ... the cost of food climbed 3.0% since January 2018. ... the highest rise in prices was for fresh vegetables (+11.2%), meat (+4.6%), fresh fruit (+3.6%), and fish and other seafood (+3.3%). 

Bruce Ralston, “Good jobs with good wages mean that British Columbians, their families and communities are benefiting from our strong economy”

BC Statistics / Statistics Canada ... perhaps not such a big deal as despite average weekly earnings (including overtime) of payroll employees in British Columbia were $982.21 in December (seasonally adjusted, current dollars) ... that worked out to just $1.40 more than in the previous month (+0.1%) 




Bruce Ralston, “To support economic growth in B.C. over the long term, our government is making historic investments in this year’s balanced budget to create more opportunities for people. Our investments in infrastructure and services will generate tens of thousands of good jobs”

BC Statistics / Statistics Canada ... the cost of shelter continued to climb in January (+3.1%) ... there were increases in the cost of piped gas (+10.5%), and electricity (+2.8%) ... consumers paid more for household operations (+2.5%) and furnishing (+2.0%), recreation, education (+2.2%) and reading (+1.9%), and health and personal care (+1.0%) 

Bruce Ralston, “Our economy is strengthened when we share the benefits of growth with all British Columbians. That’s why we’re building the foundation for a province in which everyone – and our economy – can thrive” 

So, here’s what I see as the bottom line, when we compare what he had to say, against information from BC Stats and Stats Canada:
  1. BC employees are making a whopping $1.40 cents more per month, with average weekly earnings which are less than neighbouring Alberta and Saskatchewan – along with Ontario and Newfoundland / Labrador
  2. against that, we see that real food (fish, meat, vegetables and fruit), shelter, clothing, electricity, recreation, furnishing and education all INCREASED.


All I can say is if that’s how maintaining a strong economy, and putting people first works, I’m not so sure those of us living in BC will be able to afford much more of it. 

And that’s a wrap for me this week.  I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, and I’d love to hear your thoughts now on this topic.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 17, 2019 at 9:53 AM

    Of course there are always negative stats to cherry pick. Bravo, good job! Sure, average weekly earnings might be lower than in Alberta but our unemployment rate is 2/3rds of Alberta's. That means, 33% more of the workforce working and paying taxes and participating in the economy.
    The other thing that you're ignoring is various ways that things are improving since the fall of the Liberal reign of economic terror.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan ForsethMarch 18, 2019 at 1:15 PM

      I am certainly no BC Liberal fan .... however "reign of terror"? You can't be serious.

      AND ... I stand by the figures I have presented ... BC can, and should be, doing better. The governments failure to allow clean safe resource projects to proceed has, and continues to, hold back billion$ in prosperity of BC and and the people who live and work here

      Delete
  2. ShawnMarch 17, 2019 at 11:27 PM

    While facts & figures are quite correct the innuendo that this is an NDP caused problem is totally incorrect, the NDP are not responsible for all the years of money laundry that the Liberals not only turned a blind eye to but cancelled any chance of prosecution by firing the only honest cop now being consulted. The money laundry & drug trade have been the sole source of the 20% per year increase in home & real estate costs. Liberal mismanagement & interference in both BC Hydro & ICBC have driven rates through the roof. The Liberals privatized hospital maintenance & catering they also privatized care facilities where both industries those people made respectable money privatization brought all the wage levels down so to infer it is an NDP government that created is just plain ignorant, so just admit that U are a disgruntled Liberal & be done with it. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alan ForsethMarch 18, 2019 at 1:16 PM

    Don't disagree in general with your points -- HOWEVER on the economic side we can, AND SHOULD BE, doing better! It is only the NDP government which is holding us back!

    ReplyDelete

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