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

Premier's response to PST expansion shows a government that is increasingly out of touch

Premier Keeps Dismissing Businesses as PST Backlash Grows

Conservative Critic for Jobs, Economic Development, Innovation & AI Gavin Dew says Premier David Eby’s response to growing backlash over his $500-million a year PST expansion shows a government that is increasingly out of touch with working families, small businesses, and taxpayers across British Columbia.

Last Friday at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Premier brushed off reports of companies and jobs leaving BC, dismissing the legitimate concerns of frustrated businesses.

This morning, fifteen major business organizations held a joint news conference warning the PST hike will raise housing costs, increase rents, punish small businesses trying to keep their stores safe, and further weaken investment confidence in British Columbia.

“When fifteen major organizations coordinate a public warning, that’s a serious signal about where our economy is headed,” said Dew. “The economic alarms are going full blast, but David Eby has earplugs in.”

Budget 2026 expands the PST to professional services including accounting, engineering, architectural work, security services, and property management, which will drive up costs on the very services needed to build homes, protect storefronts, and keep local businesses operating.

“These costs don’t magically disappear,” said Dew. “They get passed on to first-time home buyers, to renters, to customers, to families already stretched to the breaking point.”

“At a time of rising crime, stalled housing projects, and economic uncertainty, this government is shaking down British Columbians and putting their boot on the throat of small business, all while running a record $13.3-billion deficit.”

Dew said dismissing these warnings sends the wrong signal to workers, families, and investors alike.

“David Eby dismissed employers. He dismissed job losses. He dismissed the warning signs,” said Dew. “British Columbians deserve a government that listens before more jobs and opportunities leave our province.”

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