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

Conservatives Call on Eby to Stop the Political Theatre and Fix BC’s Business Climate

IMAGE CREDIT: Chris McCloughlin/Moment/Getty Images

New research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows British Columbia’s small businesses face one of the most punishing tax environments in North America, fueling what Conservative MLAs call a “rock-bottom moment” for business confidence.

“Small business owners are telling us they’re exhausted, overtaxed, and ready to give up,” said Gavin Dew, Official Opposition Critic for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. 

“We are on the verge of losing an entire generation of entrepreneurs. Instead of performing for the cameras by talking about Donald Trump, David Eby should focus on what’s under his control: fixing BC’s broken business climate, lowering costs, and creating conditions for investment and opportunity.”

According to CFIB’s Uneven Ground report, a microbusiness in Vancouver pays $45,000 in total taxes – ranking 16th of 30 jurisdictions surveyed. Once that business grows to 25 employees, the tax bill skyrockets to $364,000, including more than $200,000 in payroll taxes, leaving BC 22nd overall and 29th for payroll taxes, second worst in North America behind only Quebec.

“These numbers tell a tragic story: higher taxes mean fewer jobs, less investment, and a stagnant economy,” said Peter Milobar, Official Opposition Critic for Finance and MLA for Kamloops-Centre. 

“Instead of helping small businesses reinvest in their workers and communities, the NDP has piled on red tape and costs that make it harder to keep the doors open. The Eby government is ignoring the very people who drive our economy.”

Dew, who is also MLA for Kelowna-Mission, said it’s time for the government to act decisively: “British Columbians deserve better than a premier who is distracted by chasing headlines. He needs to level the playing field for small business, protect the entrepreneurs we have, and rebuild the conditions for growth. If we don’t, we risk not just losing jobs today, but losing the next generation of job creators altogether.” 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interfor Moves Headquarters Out of BC as Forestry Crisis Continues

NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
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

NDP Hypocritically Admits Natural Gas Power Was Needed All Along ~~ BC Conservatives

The NDP just got caught buying back the exact kind of power plant it spent years telling British Columbians they didn't need. The NDP government announced today that BC Hydro is purchasing the Island Generation natural gas facility in Campbell River, an admission that its electrification-only energy policy was never realistic. The 275-megawatt plant was originally privately owned yet kept to a minimal backup role under the NDP, operating just 15 days a year on average. Now, with demand outpacing what the NDP's plan can support, the government is spending taxpayer funds on the very gas capacity it once treated as obsolete. "You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn't matter," said Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy.  "Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn't keep the lights on. It's a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more