Skip to main content

“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

Conservative Economic Team Responds to Urgent Industry Concerns


 "For far too long, the BC NDP has ignored the economic challenges facing British Columbians. Manufacturing jobs are vanishing, forestry is in decline, and private sector employment growth has stagnated. Meanwhile, affordability has worsened for both families and businesses. British Columbians deserve better, and we’re here to deliver real solutions to rebuild our economy and create jobs that support everyday working people and their families." – Gavin Dew, MLA and Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy, Development, and Innovation.

 

December 3, 2024, Vancouver, BC – The Conservative economic team met today with business leaders and stakeholders to tackle critical issues impacting British Columbia’s economy. Attended by 9 critics from the Conservative Caucus, this meeting was convened by MLA Gavin Dew – Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation - as a direct response to an October 30th open letter from seven of the province’s largest industry associations. To date, the Conservatives remain the only party to act on the letter’s urgent call for solutions.
 
According to the letter, “Rising costs for essentials like housing and groceries are placing immense pressure on households, while many small businesses face growing difficulties meeting their payrolls and staying open for business.” Dew emphasized the urgent need for change, citing alarming statistics from the letter:

•    BC has lost 12,400 manufacturing jobs since 2017 and over 10,000 forestry jobs in just four years.
•    Private sector employment has seen virtually no growth between 2019 and 2023—a trend industry leaders call “unprecedented and unsustainable.”
•    Affordability concerns are at an all-time high, with 92% of businesses and 80% of residents in Metro Vancouver reporting worsening conditions since 2020.
 
“Our team of economic critics is focused on private sector jobs because they are the foundation of strong communities,” said Dew. “Without decisive action, the affordability crisis will continue to worsen, and British Columbians will fall further behind.”


 
Throughout the meeting, Dew and his fellow critics emphasized their commitment to working collaboratively with industry leaders to develop a comprehensive recovery plan. Discussions also highlighted the province’s growing fiscal challenges, including a projected $9 billion deficit for 2024-25, the largest in BC’s history.
 
Shadow Minister for Finance, Peter Milobar, noted, “We’re not just pointing out the problems. We’re bringing together the brightest minds and strongest advocates to offer practical solutions that will drive private sector growth and improve affordability for families.”
 
The business associations’ letter warns of the need to capitalize on BC’s natural advantages: abundant resources, a skilled workforce, and a reputation for stability. However, without immediate government action, these strengths risk being squandered.

The team of Conservative critics pledged to work collaboratively with industry leaders to deliver a comprehensive plan for economic recovery, well-paying jobs, and long-term prosperity for British Columbians.
 
Harman Banghu, Shadow Minister for Transportation, concluded “British Columbia has the potential to be a leader in the global economy, but that requires bold action and strong leadership. The BC NDP’s silence and inaction on these critical issues speaks volumes. As a government-in-waiting with a team focused on bringing economic growth and jobs, we won’t stand by while British Columbians are left behind.”

 
The Conservative economic team reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive and collaborative approach, ensuring that all voices are heard in the development of policies that drive long-term prosperity and job creation.
 
-30-
 
Conservative Shadow Ministers
Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna Mission
Critic for Jobs, Economy, Development and Innovation
 
Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre
Critic For Finance
 
Ward Stamer, MLA for Kamloops - North Thompson
Critic For Forests
 
Donegal Wilson, MLA for Boundary - Similkameen
Critic For Water, Land, Resource Stewardship and Wildlife Management
 
Harman Bhangu, MLA Langley - Abbortsford
Critic For Transportation
 
Pete Davis, MLA For Kootenay-Rockies
Critic For Mining, Critical Minerals and Columbia Treaty
 
Kiel Giddens, MLA for Prince George - Mackenzie
Critic For Labour
 
Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River - Revelstoke
Critic For Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
 
Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond - Bridgeport
Critic For Tourism, Arts, Culture, Anti-Racism and Trade

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

FORSETH: Without a strong local presence, there is NO reason for anyone to tune in to local(?) radio

LOCAL HOMETOWN RADIO IS DYING … and without serious measures put in place, it will likely never see the light of day again. For well over four decades, the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) has presided over its’ demise, and for that I say, “Shame”. Without out a word to say enough was enough, the CRTC has allowed corporate Canada to buy up one radio station after the other, and then allowed them to slash staff to the point where some so-called local radio stations do nothing more than air programming that originates from communities well outside the region in which they are located. Case in point?   On CHNL* 610 in Kamloops, the morning show hosted by Vinnie and Randi, DOES NOT originate from Kamloops -- it doesn’t even originate here in BC. It’s a program that Stingray airs across multiple radio stations in Western Canada. It doesn’t end there. Not only are Vinnie and Rando doing mornings on CHNL, but they also show up on sister station Country 103 … and of course o...
5 comments
Read more

Labels

Show more