April, 2013 - Bill Bennett’s MLA Column

Strong Economy, Secure Tomorrow April 18, 2013

Today’s BC Liberals unveiled our platform to grow the economy, control spending and eliminate debt. Our platform will secure tomorrow and make a Debt-Free B.C. possible for our children.

“Strong Economy, Secure Tomorrow is a comprehensive, affordable and optimistic vision for our province,” said Premier Christy Clark. “Our plan starts with the Jobs Plan and ends with a Debt-Free B.C. It’s a journey of how far we’ve come and explains how we will build on the progress we are making with British Columbians.”

Today’s BC Liberals will protect our strong economy by building on our BC Jobs Plan that is creating jobs, expanding markets, attracting and encouraging investment. We will secure tomorrow by holding the line on taxes, controlling spending, and balancing the budget.

A key part of this plan is taking advantage of our once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop a new industry by exporting B.C.’s natural gas.

Specific actions to grow the economy, control spending and pay down debt include:

– Holding the line and then cutting taxes to spur private sector job creation, starting with small business, reduce red tape, secure opportunities in Asia;
– controlling spending by placing a cap on government expenditures against the rate of nominal GDP and launching a core review of all government ministries;
– freeze the carbon tax and all personal income taxes;
– dedicate at least 50 per cent of all future surplus revenues to debt reduction; and,
– dedicate all revenues from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and proposed Kitimat Clean Refinery royalty revenues to debt reduction until provincial debt is eliminated, including paying down BC Ferries debt.

“These are the things that will put us on the path to a Debt-Free B.C.,” said Finance Minister Mike de Jong. “A Debt-Free B.C. means that the next generation will be able to make choices for themselves when it comes to tackling the issues of their day.”

“Strong Economy, Secure Tomorrow is focused on eliminating our debt to secure a safe, clean, healthy and affordable and Debt-Free B.C. for generations of families,” said Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister and Today`s BC Liberals platform chair Bill Bennett. “NDP economics puts this is all at risk. They believe that spending billions on the backs of our kids is acceptable. We believe government shouldn’t leave our kids with debt.”

Strong Economy, Secure Tomorrow. That’s what Today’s BC Liberals are fighting for.