BC NDP

Thank-you very much for that warm welcome. It is truly a pleasure to be here today.

And I want to thank the Vancouver Board of Trade for the gracious invitation.

On the eve of an election, in a province where politics can be a pretty rough business, it speaks to the character and vision of the Board of Trade to invite the Leader of the NDP to engage with you in a constructive and respectful dialogue on the many challenges we face together, whatever our political stripe.

But the invitation was not a surprise. Since taking on this job, it's been a top priority of mine to reach out to BC^'s business community. To start a dialogue and to develop a new relationship based on mutual trust and respect. And it's my sincere hope that you agree we are making real progress.

I expect you to engage in the political process in this election by actively speaking out on behalf of your members.

Yet, by extending a hand to each other over this last year, I think we've demonstrated that politics in B.C. and big public policy questions need not be filled with invective. But rather with a spirit of good will and shared purpose, for the benefit of all. Itâ€^TMs what British Columbians expect of their political and economic leaders. And itâ€^TMs what I will continue to do.

Today I want to offer you a few of my views about where I see British Columbia placed in the global economy. And I want to provide some concrete examples of what I am proposing can be done to build on our collective potential.

Because, too often, it is assumed that progressive politicians emphasize social issues at the expense of economic ones. But if you look around the world you will find that successful progressive governments understand that the two are inextricably linked. That a healthy and dynamic society combines social inclusion and economic growth.

In the last generation we have witnessed an incredible change in the way our economy is structured â€" not just here in BC, but throughout the world.

Todayâ€^TMs generation of young British Columbians is living through a profound economic revolution that is fundamentally changing society; re-ordering expectations from government, political and business leaders, and challenging us to re-think long-held assumptions and to transcend old divisions.

In a global economy, defined only by constant change and increasing uncertainty, the skills, flexibility and ingenuity of our citizenry is the most important thing we posses. Socially cohesive societies where opportunity is broadly distributed and where no one is left behind are simply better positioned to succeed in the global economy and take full advantage of the new opportunities it provides.

As a small, open, export-oriented economy, we sit at the intersection of the forces of globalization and technological change. New Canadians make up a huge part of our population, bringing new ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and diversity from which everyone benefits.

In the past 15 years brand new industries have emerged. High-tech, film, world-class wines, oil and gas, value-added forest products -- to name just a few.

Today, our province is highly educated, incredibly diverse, and dynamic. In so many ways, all that is positive about the economic and social changes of the last generation are seen right here at home. At times, it can feel like our potential is only limited by the horizons of our imagination.

And that gives me great hope for the future. It makes me so proud to be a British Columbian, for imagination and vision have always been a key part of our heritage and our history.

But, of course, blind optimism is foolish.

And there is another side to the story -- other challenges that we arenâ€^TMt managing as well. If we donâ€^TMt get a handle on them, if we donâ€^TMt change our direction, then they will overtake our successes and undermine our potential.

And itâ€^TMs on these challenges that government has a fundamental role to play helping to manage change for the benefit of everyone in the new economy and the traditional economy as well. A vision that embraces the potential of every citizen, expands opportunity, and empowers communities is critical.

This is where the current government is failing.

Does anyone in this room think it was a good idea to waste $5 million on a mean-spirited disability review to kick 46 people off benefits? Does anyone think it was a good idea to spend millions trying to sell the Coquihalla Highway, creating anger and frustration in interior communities? Does anyone think it made sense to try and take away senior citizens' bus passes?

I could go on â€" but the point is this: In the long-term, BC will be left behind if we continue to inflame divisions and frustrations when right now, more then ever, we need to share a common purpose. Everyone in BC sinks or swims together. Thatâ€^TMs why in todayâ€^TMs economy, sound economic policy and good social policy are one and the same.

There is no question a competitive and fair tax environment is critical. We wonâ€^TMt grow if we stifle innovation with uncompetitive taxes and red tape. We canâ€^TMt compete if we accept big deficits and runaway debt. And we wonâ€^TMt succeed, if we donâ€^TMt listen to the business community â€" people who help drive the economy and create jobs.

But itâ€^TMs also true that we wonâ€^TMt succeed without listening to other voices as wellâ€" First Nations, seniors, working people, environmentalists and local government leaders.

And those voices have all too often been ignored or shut out by the current government.

And thatâ€^TMs why I have made my positions on these issues crystal clear. The NDP will not bring back the corporate capital tax. The NDP will ensure a competitive and fair tax environment. And the NDP will balance the budget every year.

But just as importantly, because there are always new issues and new circumstances that arise and require decisions, you have my word that under my leadership, BCâ€^TMs business community will have a seat at the table and will be consulted on every decision that affects your business and the economic climate in B.C.

To that end, I will establish a permanent economic advisory council made up of business, labour and communities to act as a forum for new proposals and new ideas to build consensus and understanding around fundamental questions of economic and social policy.

No politics. Just bright minds and good ideas.

I will bring an end to the kind of polarized politics that is now so out-of-step with contemporary BC.

Let me be clear â€" I am not making my case in an effort to win your vote. If history were any guide, it would be smarter for me politically not to come here at all and blame all of BCâ€^TMs ills on big-bad business.

But I wonâ€^TMt do that, because itâ€^TMs not constructive. And itâ€^TMs not true. In my view, it just re-enforces an approach that for too long has characterized our politics and that, I am afraid, has been embraced by our current government.

There are no enemies of B.C. Business is not the enemy. And neither is the Labour movement.

There are disagreements â€" some strongly held, but what unites British Columbians is stronger than what divides us. And I have been consistent throughout. I have told BCâ€^TMs labour movement the same thing I have told you today and that I have told you in the past. Itâ€^TMs the same message everywhere I go. Itâ€^TMs long-past time that BC moved on from the fights of the past.

The province has changed. And our politics must change with it. I will build bridges, not burn them. I will bring people together not push them apart. And I will govern in the broad public interest, not in any one narrow interest.

But when I make that promise, you must understand that I am dead serious about the need to focus on social inclusion, caring, and compassion â€" not at the expense of economic prosperity, but in support of it.

Because the reality is that too many people are being left behind.

Although BC is benefiting from high-commodity prices, low interest rates, and a recovering world economy, average families are paying more for less and are having a tougher time making ends meet. Paying more for longer waitlists and reduced patient care, more for post-secondary education, and more in countless taxes and fees introduced by this government. The situation is not sustainable.

Itâ€^TMs not good for working people. Itâ€^TMs not good for business. And itâ€^TMs not good for B.C.

Thatâ€^TMs why I believe that this governmentâ€^TMs massive tuition fee hikes were wrong. They are denying opportunity for everyone regardless of background. And I will bring in a one-year fully-funded tuition fee freeze.

I believe the governmentâ€^TMs decision to gut skills training and apprenticeship programs is short-sighted. That's why I will double apprenticeships and begin to reduce K-12 class sizes.

I believe the government made the wrong choice in punishing the poor, seniors, children and the disabled. And I will work to restore supports for the most vulnerable.

The government should have kept its promise to build 5,000 new long-term care beds by next year, instead of actually cutting thousands. And I pledge to open 1000 new long-term care beds this year to start to address the backlog and free up beds in hospitals.

I believe privatization in health care is bad public policy. Itâ€^TMs led to longer waitlists, and wasted public dollars. I will stop privatization in health care and instead bring innovation to our public health system to reduce waitlists and clean up dirty, overcrowded hospitals.

Finally, I believe we have to return integrity to government. The growing revelations of corruption and scandal coming out of the Liberal government in Ottawa only underscore the concerns I have heard from British Columbians.

People want integrity in government. Whether it's their government in Ottawaâ€"or their government in Victoria. When the people's faith in government suffers because their elected representatives fail to act honourably in the public interest, our entire society suffers. Our democracy suffers. When it looks to people like certain interests get treated differently by government than others sectors of society, it creates a credibility gap with the public.

A credibility gap that is growing wider with every new media report from the Gomery Inquiry. People deserve a government that honours everyone.

That's why I will ban union and corporate donations to political parties. So that citizens, not money, determine influence over policy. These commitments, to be joined by others when our fully-costed platform is released â€" and it will be released very soon -- will help bring back balance to B.C.; balance that has been missing under our current government. And balance that must be restored for our economy, for communities, for average families, and for business.

B.C.â€^TMs business community and my party have a lot more in common than is often assumed. In fact, we need each other now more than ever to meet our shared goals for our province. Economic prosperity, social inclusion and a caring and compassionate society can â€" must â€" go hand in hand.

In an era of incredible social and economic change, of intense competition, open borders and mobile capital, we must nurture the potential of every citizen, to realize the potential of community, of our shared home and province.

A province where the values of citizenship are nurtured.

Where rights are joined with responsibilities.

Where opportunity and economic benefits are shared as widely as possible.

A province where no one is left behind.

A province where everyone matters.

Thank-you very much for your time and for the opportunity to be here today.

It's been a real pleasure, and I look forward to your questions.