Both Andrew Wilkinson’s BC Liberals, and the BC Greens led by interim leader Adam Olsen, are the latest at the trough for Canada’s Emergency Wage Subsidy

Announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 27^th, Canada’s Emergency Wage Subsidy was to ... help employers keep and return workers to their payroll through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsidy would provide qualifying businesses with a 75 percent subsidy for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

The intent of the wage subsidy was to prevent additional job losses – and to encourage employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19.

It was, as the government called it, ‘to provide generous and timely financial support to employers’.

Let me ask you – as a taxpayer however – do you honestly feel that it was the intent for political parties across Canada, and right here in BC, to be eligible for this ‘generous and timely support?

I certainly don’t – nor does the leader of the Conservative Party of BC, Trevor Bolin.

Speaking today from Ft. St. John, Bolin stated, “Upon first hearing of the wage subsidy being offered by the federal government, it gave me a sense of hope; hope for businesses that are able to stay open, to retain and pay hard working staff. Hope for businesses to be able to continue being on the front lines and serving us -- their guests and customers -- and a hope for brighter days ahead for hard working British Columbians”.

“When I found out today however, that both the BC Liberal and the B.C. Green Parties had taken advantage of the wage subsidy program meant for businesses, I realized that same hope I had, was not shared in the same way with these two parties”.

That’s right, both Andrew Wilkinson’s BC Liberal party, and the BC Greens led by interim leader Adam Olsen, are the latest heading to the trough for Canada’s Emergency Wage Subsidy.

Observed Bolin, “These funds are not unlimited amounts of money falling from the sky. Taxpayers will bear the cost of them, and that cost will be a heavy burden for the people of BC.  For every political party that takes advantage of these subsidies, it means a small business in British Columbia could, and will, suffer”.

Public institutions are not eligible for the subsidy – and this includes municipalities and local governments, Crown corporations, public universities, colleges and schools, and hospitals -- BUT -- a loophole has allowed nearly all federal political parties (with the exception of the Bloc Quebecois) to apply for this money.

Which means, the BC Liberals and Greens, will now have the people of BC support them – whether they want to or not.

“The BC Liberals have claimed for decades to be the free enterprise party supporting small businesses, however that appears to only be in good times.  When times get tough, they (the BC Liberals) are actually in competition with small businesses, and taking advantage of programs meant to keep those small businesses open -- and their employees working.

“Small businesses are our friends, families and neighbours, and they are working tirelessly to make a difference. They don't receive government funding like political parties already do”, the BC Conservative leader commented.

He then concluded, “Provincial party funding is at an all time high, political wages are at an all time high, political pensions (provided after only minimal time as serving as an MLA) are at an all time high ... now we as British Columbians will be further are subsiding these political parties.”

THIS IS WRONG!

The intent of this wage subsidy was to help prevent further job losses for Canadian businesses – it was meant to support Canadians, and companies, facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak. 

It wasn't and shouldn't -- at least in my opinion -- been meant to have us subsidize political parties ... more than we already do.

Do the right thing Mr. Olsen and Mr. Wilkinson. Ask your supporters for the money you need – and reverse your decision to take emergency wage subsidy money.