As 2018 comes to a close, British Columbians have a lot to be thankful for.
We live in the best province in the best country in the world. After years of hard work by the former BC Liberal government, we saw the largest private-sector investment in Canadian history from LNG Canada’s decision to build a major plant in Kitimat. Despite political interference from the government, Site C dam construction is continuing and, once complete, will provide B.C. with clean energy for more than 100 years.
I’m proud of the work the BC Liberals have done for our province and our communities, and creating opportunities for working families. But if we don’t keep working hard, the successes we have seen may face challenges in the future.
The first full budget from the new government this spring was a blanket of tax increases that will see British Columbia businesses and families paying more. The employer health tax (EHT) triples Medical Services Plan (MSP) payments, something the BC Liberals had budgeted to eliminate completely without any tax increases. Small and medium-sized business will bear the brunt of this tax burden, paying both EHT and MSP premiums at the same time in 2019. Many municipalities have indicated that property taxes are on their way up to cover the cost of the EHT, with Vancouver property taxes slated to increase by almost 5% next year.
Housing affordability continues to be an issue in B.C., and while the issue remains complex, the front-line solution is to increase supply. Property tax increases make housing less affordable, as will the government’s heavy-handed speculation tax. This is a result of poorly planned BC NDP policy that sees B.C. retirees and family cabin owners paying a tax that shouldn’t apply to them. Unfortunately, our province will see a decline in housing starts next year, meaning fewer homes being built for middle-class British Columbians and their families.
Perhaps one of the biggest news stories throughout 2018 has been the consistent failure of the NDP to introduce ride sharing, with Vancouver being the largest city in North America without it. The NDP’s legislation is full of roadblocks that make it almost impossible for ride-sharing companies to operate here in B.C. The framework will see an NDP government committee setting supply, price and boundaries – taking power away from consumers.
This year has certainly been a bumpy ride for British Columbians and our economy. It’s going to get bumpier. Families and small-business owners will send more of their tax dollars to their local governments to cover higher EHT costs. Thousands of British Columbians will find the speculation tax added to their tax bill. Taxpayers will see more of their tax dollars offered up in sweetheart deals for NDP-friendly unions on public infrastructure projects thanks to the NDP’s union benefits agreement. That comes with an added insult for non-union workers, who are banned from working on these projects but forced to help pay the union wages. British Columbians will be left standing by the side of the road for another year without ride sharing. Families will find life less affordable with 19 new or increased taxes.
Looking back, 2018 is a year the NDP eroded people’s ability to get ahead. My colleagues and I in the BC Liberal Party will keep fighting this in 2019 as we work hard to push for polices that build opportunity for all of B.C. •
Andrew Wilkinson is leader of the BC Liberal Party and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena.
