Given all that, it scares me then when I hear Premier John Horgan say, ‘We’re going to continue the work we started two and a half years ago’
Yesterday the BC Throne Speech
was delivered amidst one of the ugliest protests to ever hit the BC
Legislature.
A large crowd of individuals
blocked, and attempted to block, access to Members of the Legislative Assembly
... to men and women who work to keep the wheels of government operating ... to
Lieutenant Governor Jane Austen ... and to reporters who keep us informed of
what governments is doing (or not doing).
It was an ugly day for
democracy – at least in my opinion – however democracy did prevail, and
eventually the throne speech was presented.
According to Premier John Horgan, the Speech
from the Throne marked ... the positive changes people across BC are
starting to see through stronger public services, policies that are making life
more affordable, and the opportunities a strong, sustainable economy can
provide for everyone.
Horgan stated, “British Columbians are
starting to see the benefits of a government that puts people first”.
“After years of falling behind, people are
starting to make progress – but we’re not done yet. Today’s throne speech shows
how our government is going to keep BC moving forward and build a stronger
province for everyone.”
A BC government media release regarding
yesterdays Throne Speech remarked that our province ‘remains an economic
leader in Canada’ ... with the ‘lowest unemployment rate’ ... and ...
‘high business optimism’.
As was pointed
out here on this blog on February 10th however, BC is NOT moving
forward for many in this province as they give up hope of finding work ... and
in fact even BC Stat’s Infoline indicated that exports from BC producers, to
the world, had declined
by 6.4% last year (2019).
No wonder then, that BC Liberal Leader Andrew
Wilkinson observed ... “British Columbia is heading in the wrong direction
and we’re going to make sure people know the opportunities they’re missing out
on while John Horgan sits on his hands. British Columbians deserve fewer
selfies and more action from John Horgan.”
And also saying, “... the NDP Speech from the
Throne failed to address or introduce anything at all for British Columbians.
John Horgan is re-using NDP talking points from 2017 and ignoring the fact the
NDP has no intention of keeping their election promises”.
BC Conservative leader Trevor Bolin’s first
thought, after reading the Throne Speech, was to say, “I
have read it three times expecting to see something, -- anything -- that’s a
benefit for British Columbians”.
Bolin continued, saying
... “If you were like me, reading the highlights of yesterday’s throne
speech and waiting for something, or anything that was relevant to enhancing
your life BC, and missed it ... you weren’t alone”.
“The Throne
Speech, was a good example why people have given up on not only government, but
the politicians they elect to represent them. Premier Horgan wasted no time in
telling us he is fixing the issues that plague British Columbians (the same
issues he spoke on a year ago), but has failed to actually fix them”, stated
the Conservative Party leader.
Nechako Lakes Liberal
MLA John Rustad, echoed a similar observation to me last night when he remarked,
“This throne speech was void of direction but recycled their failing ideas.
It's a throne speech for big government, and big taxes”.
So are, as Premier
John Horgan stated, the people of BC ... “more prepared to face
the challenges of today and tomorrow, because they have a government that is a
partner in their future”?
Given the floundering state of the BC forest
industry ... a lack of any new mines beginning operation in over two years ... declining
exports from our manufacturers ... ballooning costs for infrastructure projects
... ever increasing debts ... and increases in part-time, rather than full-time
jobs ... I for one would say ‘no’.
In fact, given all that, it scares me then
when I hear Premier Horgan say, “We’re going to continue the work we started
two and a half years ago, to make life better for people, so that B.C. can once
again be a place of hope and opportunity – a stronger province, for everyone.”
If that’s better,
then I don’t want to see worse!
Returning to BC Conservative
Party leader Trevor Bolin, and his thoughts on the situation, it’s not
surprising then to hear him say:
“This Government
has the ability to actually make lives better for everyday British Columbians,
not just tell us it’s better. They have had the time to do, and failed us all”,
Talking as though he
was already in campaign mode for the next provincial election, he continued; “The
actions the government should take -- to enhance our resources, reduce taxes,
scrap the ICBC monopoly, and ensure that businesses create jobs, and families
flourish -- is not being done. The BC Conservatives understand the unique needs
of British Columbians, and the changes that need to be made to truly enhance
your lives”.
One of Horgan’s concluding remark yesterday
was that, “BC can once again be a place of hope and opportunity – a stronger
province, for everyone.”
My own local Kamloops
South Thompson MLA, Todd Stone, didn’t see that happening however. After hearing the Throne Speech his only
thoughts were that it was, “A vacuous Throne Speech from an NDP government out
of ideas and out of (your) money”
And referring to what was happening outside the legislature, he went on the say, “On a day when hundreds are bullied and made to fear for their safety by protesters, while entering and exiting B.C.’s Legislature, John Horgan hides in his office. Gutless.”
And referring to what was happening outside the legislature, he went on the say, “On a day when hundreds are bullied and made to fear for their safety by protesters, while entering and exiting B.C.’s Legislature, John Horgan hides in his office. Gutless.”
It doesn’t seem we have much to be optimistic
about following yesterdays Throne Speech ... and I doubt we will, when Finance
Minister Carole James present her new budget in a week from now.
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