BC was caught on the back foot by Trump tariff threats and there seems to be no catching up, according to a Kelowna MLA.
"NDP economic mismanagement means we came into the tariff crisis in a weak position," said Kelowna-Mission Conservative MLA Gavin Dew.
"The cup is empty because (NDP Premier David) Eby emptied it. So many of their proposed economic measures are nothing more than a start to undoing the damage they themselves have inflicted on British Columbia. Whether David Eby's activist political base will even let him implement what he now claims to stand for remains to be seen."
Dew is reacting to the provincial NDP government's throne speech yesterday, which focused on economic security in the face of Trump tariffs.
The very nature of a throne speech is to deliver wide sweeping promises, and very few specifics, on what the government wants to achieve in the next session of the legislature.
As such, the speech from the throne, delivered by the King's representative in BC -- Lt. Gov. Wendy Cocchia -- was billed as the NDP's plan to defend British Columbians from the economic impacts of the US presidency and secure a stronger future for the province.
The speech included highlights such as:
- Standing strong for BC and Canada with a tough and thoughtful response to any attack on Canada's economy and sovereignty (remember US President Donald Trump's numerous taunts to make Canada the 51st state).
BC will do this as part of the united Team Canada approach.
- Finding markets other than the US for BC products.
New trade missions are being planned to strengthen relationships around the world and break down trade barriers within Canada, too.
- Creating good jobs in a growing economy by fast-tracking major private-sector resource projects and building on BC's strengths in technology, life sciences and film.
(The opposition Conservatives have often lamented that BC under the NDP has failed to promote the resource sectors of mining, oil and gas and forestry that are essential for a strong economy and good jobs.)
- Strengthening access to health care with more family doctors and building new hospitals throughout the province.
(The Conservatives blame the NDP for pushing health care into the crisis it's in.)
- Helping with costs by delivering more homes people can afford, locking in child care and care insurance savings and passing new consumer-protection laws.
(The Conservatives again accuse the NDP of pushing BC into a housing crisis with development red tape and high taxes. The Conservatives want streamlined housing approvals, more building and tax breaks for homeowners.)
"The NDP has spent seven years racking up deficits and debt and growing the government while the private sector (and citizens) struggles," summed up Dew.
Meantime, NDP Premier David Eby is more confident the government can tackle Trump's tariffs, make BC more self-reliant and build a strong economy with good-paying jobs.
"We are at a crossroads," said Eby.
"The journey ahead won't be easy, but there's no place I would rather be to face the threat of tariffs than right here in BC. And, nothing I'd want to be more than Canadian. We have everything we need to protect ourselves from the economic impacts of the Trump presidency and come out stronger. That includes our most precious resource of all: British Columbians. Our people are hard-working, resilient and ready to meet this moment the same way as we always have -- by looking out for each other and building together."
The BC Hospital Employees' Union gave the NDP a backhanded compliment when it came to the throne speech.
"We welcome the government's ongoing commitment in this throne speech to protect public services and improve people's lives during this time of uncertainty," said union spokesperson Lynn Bueckert.
"But, there is more work to be done to attract, retain and support frontline health care workers to deliver that care as we continue to rebuild a health system that meets the needs of a growing and aging population. Bargaining the next collective agreement for our members is a great opportunity to collaborate on the worker shortages that exist in our health system."
