Today Lorne Doerkson dodged direct questions from reporters, refusing to say what he would cut when he fails to reach his unrealistic economic forecasts.

But Doerkson’s fiscal challenges go far beyond his economic forecasts: his platform leaves out more than $2 billion in the cost of his promises - adding more pressure for healthcare cuts.

He completely left out his promise to remove the PST from Canadian alcohol - a $280 million promise - even though he continues to claim he will boost beer and wine sales.

Also missing is the promise to scrap the industrial carbon tax - which the conservatives have long criticized - a $440 million revenue hit

And he lowballed the elimination of PST on business inputs by $600 million. A similar, but narrower measure was recommended by the 2016 Commission on Tax Competitiveness at a cost of $640 million in 2016. Based on the 70.5% growth of the economy since then, this measure would cost $1.1 billion. And the new Conservative promise is actually even broader - including software and leases of goods.

But that’s just the start. Here is a non-exhaustive list of under or uncosted promises in the BC Conservative platform.

Doerkson’s missing $2.3 billion

1) Independent experts have estimated even higher costs, up to $4 billion

2) Actual highest annual amount in platform costing is just $263M

3) Actual highest annual amount in platform costing is just $94M

Promises from the campaign trail not mentioned at all in the platform:

• Eliminate PST on sale of Canadian alcohol ($280 million)
• Financial assistance for low-incomes seniors who need hearing aids (15M)
• Funding support for a Filipino Cultural Centre ($15 million)
• Predictable Firesmart funding (?)
• Cardiac catheterization unit in Nanaimo Regional Hospital ($60 million)
• A new MRI at Eagle Ridge Hospital ($6 million)

Promises mentioned in the platform but not in the costing:

• Cutting construction taxes
• Invest in skilled training for First Nations in the forestry sector.

It’s clear that the cost of Doerkson’s platform will add up to even bigger cuts than he’s admitted.

It’s no wonder Doerkson’s handlers continue to deny reporters follow up questions.