Christy

I just returned home from the Vancouver Point Grey Riding Association candidate selection meeting where Premier Christy Clark was confirmed as our Liberal candidate. This is the launch of a very important election for BC and one which hopefully will confirm continuance of a government that supports and promotes balanced budgets and free enterprise. I’m confident the people of BC will not elect a left leaning political party that wants to increase taxes and spend more. Clearly we are seeing governments around the world moving to fiscal responsibility, which is smaller government, balanced budgets and repayment of public debt, yet the NDP offer a platform counter to what is intuitively responsible.

Do the Liberals have a strong record of fiscal management and responsibility? No, but compared with 10 dark years under the NDP, the Liberals have done a pretty darn good job. In the past 4 years as a result of the global meltdown we have seen many economies struggle with huge budget deficits, high levels of public debt, unemployment, and as well, political and civic turmoil. In BC we have always had, and probably will continue to have polar political differences but the evidence is clear, BC has few, if any, of the other problems. Jobs have been created and the well being for many individuals and families has increased because of our continued expanding economy. Real estate prices have gone up, increasing the wealth and fortunes for many while in the USA and other countries, prices have collapsed.

Standard & Poor rating agency recently confirmed BC’s credit rating as Triple A, the highest possible rating. S&P says the rating could be revised to negative or lower if tax-supported debt as a share of operating revenues continues to rise. Lower rating equals higher interest costs which under the NDP translates to yet even higher taxes. B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only provinces with the Triple – A stable rating. Let’s keep it there.

Compared to many other provinces and certainly many other countries, we have life pretty good here in BC. So why change governments?

I’m not in favour of handing more tax dollars to a party that has told us they plan to run budget deficits for at least three more years, increase taxes and enlarge social programs. Most rational economists will agree that if you want less of something tax it, if you want more then loosen the constraints and tax less. Already we are seeing capital hesitant to be committed in BC for job creating projects as taxation and government policy are a major consideration to investment. If we want to increase the fortunes and jobs for Alberta and other capital friendly jurisdictions then vote NDP. And, remember, the last time this party was in power, capital dried up and jobs migrated.

I’m a strong supporter of free enterprise and less government. That’s why my vote will go to the Liberals.

If you agree then talk to your friends and associates and pass on the message. If you don’t agree then make sure you are voting for the right reasons.

Watch Christy Clark on Sunday as she kicks off her campaign with a 30-minute television spot on Global television, at 7 pm PT.