BC NDP

Burnaby - The NDP platform provides tax relief and targeted investments to help average families, speed up BC's economic recovery and lay a solid foundation for the future, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

"In a tough economy British Columbians want common-sense leadership that focuses on the fundamentals," said James. "The NDP plan puts more money in people's pockets today, invests in key priorities and finds efficiencies to ensure sound fiscal management. It's the right plan at the right time for families, businesses and communities."

The NDP platform released today (www.bcndp.ca) provides British Columbians with a detailed costing of spending priorities, revenues, and savings over the next three years. The platform projects year over year deficit reductions leading to a balanced budget by year four of the plan.

James said that key to the NDP's plan is a tax cut for average British Columbians and small business, which will add support for jobs and business activity. The tax cut results from the NDP fulfillment of a pledge to scrap the Campbell government's unfair and ineffective gas tax that is set to triple over the next three years.

"The Campbell government is alone in the developed world with its plan to significantly increase taxes on average families and business," said James. "Mr. Campbell's gas tax is unfair, it doesn't work and it comes at the worst possible time for BC's economy. Eliminating the gas tax makes it easier to balance the family cheque book and provides BC with a needed economic stimulus."

In addition to tax relief for average families and small business, the NDP plan provides needed resources to improve health, education and community safety services neglected by the Campbell government. It also makes key long term capital investments in community and green infrastructure such as housing, transportation and transit. And it invests in key industries like tourism, forestry and agriculture to support growth and jobs.

"Eight years of the Campbell government's neglect has resulted in overcrowded emergency rooms, larger class sizes, less transit, and growing concerns about crime and community safety," said James.

"In a good economy, British Columbians couldn't count on Gordon Campbell and now they rightly worry that he will use the recession to slash and burn vital public services," said James. "This election is about who British Columbians can trust to look after their fundamental priorities.

New Democrats will make life more affordable for average families and make sound and prudent investments that keep our communities strong and our economy working for everyone."