BC NDP releases official platform as election approaches

COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – We’re getting a better sense of how the BC NDP plans to raise money to pay for some of its pricey promises as the provincial election looms. This morning, the party released its full platform.

The New Democrats are promising a corporate tax increase of one per cent and those making more than $150,000 a year will lose a tax break that was previously introduced by the BC Liberals, should the NDP win the May 9th election.

“I’ve got a three-year fiscal plan — the Liberals have a three-year fiscal plan. That’s my commitment today — I’m going to balance and live within my means, but I’m not going to do that on the backs of kids and on the backs of seniors and on the backs of those who need help,” says Leader John Horgan.

The platform isn’t all about tax increases, however, the party says it will reduce the small business tax rate to two per cent, down from 2.5 per cent, if it forms the next provincial government.

Horgan also claims he will make create 96,000 jobs and build 114,000 homes. “While Christy Clark is looking out for people at the top, my priority is making life better for people. Our plan will create good jobs that grow the economy, make life more affordable for families, and fix the services people count on, all with a balanced budget. Christy Clark’s choices have hurt families and made life harder for people. We’re going to make different choices – choices that help families and make their lives better,” adds Horgan.

The platform also includes $717 million in new spending for the current fiscal year. “After taking into account the $295 million projected surplus in the current budget, and $530 million in projected revenue and savings, Horgan’s plan delivers a $108 million surplus for 2017/18, with projected surpluses of $131 million and $80 million in 2018/19 and 2019/20,” the party says in a statement.

The NDP has already promised to get rid of tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges and it is promising $10-a-day daycare services.

The man who was BC’s finance minister before the election writ dropped earlier this week has been quick to call the NDP platform ‘unsustainable.’

Liberal candidate Mike de Jong says promises made today by the New Democrats will cost BC taxpayers roughly four billion dollars a year.

“They haven’t been honest about the immediate consequences and they haven’t been honest about whether they intend for that to reveal itself as a significant increase in deficit or massive increases in taxation for middle class British Columbians.”

Speaking at a hotel in downtown Vancouver, de Jong also suggested BC’s strong credit rating will be downgraded under the NDP, but the the New Democrats say the Liberals have already been reprimanded by the Moody’s agency for financially mismanaging BC Hydro.

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