Despite many British Columbians being $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills at the end of the month, the NDP have been taking action that will only continue to cost our province jobs and shrink the economy. B.C. has become the most expensive province in Canada, and it is crucial we don’t do more to harm the wallets of British Columbians.
Unfortunately, this has been the case with the NDP’s so-called CleanBC plan, which is failing both the environment and the economy. Economists predict that the “Cost BC” scheme will result in the loss of more than 200,000 jobs and will shrink our economy by $28 billion over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, the NDP have failed to hit any of their emission targets, leaving their CleanBC plan completely pointless.
Those of us in Ashcroft know all too well the devastating impacts of wildfires year after year. We want to be able to address them, along with other climate-related disasters. BC United would scrap this “CostBC” plan and introduce common sense measures that will deliver real climate results without harming our economy.
We will hit wildfires hard and fast with our bold wildfire policy, which will see the modernization of our wildfire service, ensure evacuees have financial support within the first 72 hours, and utilize local knowledge so we can tackle fires more efficiently.
We will also build climate-resilient infrastructure, so communities don’t face even more destruction in the wake of natural disasters, creating jobs in the process.
People shouldn’t have to choose between protecting the environment and putting food on their table. BC United has been a leader in climate action before, all while growing the economy, and we will do it again.
Jackie Tegart is the BC United MLA for Fraser-Nicola.