VICTORIA – Recently, BC Conservative Leader Trevor Bolin tweeted about his party’s intention to eliminate the carbon tax. In response, BC Liberal MLA Mike Bernier asked how the BC Conservatives would replace the lost revenue:
“Reducing the Carbon tax is a valid thing to say but can you also explain what services you will cut to make up the $5 Billion shortfall in the fiscal plan or is the BC Con plan to run a deficit budget?” Bernier then added, “If you are making these promises you should say how you can actually achieve them.” (Tweet)
Awkwardly, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has refused to explain how he’ll pay for his own ineffective scheme to cap gas prices by reducing the motor fuel tax. Sauder School of Business professor Werner Antweiler has called the idea “a completely ineffective proposition” that “wouldn’t really change the prices but it would boost the profits of oil companies.” (Full quotes)
When Jobs Minister Bruce Ralston challenged the BC Liberals on the effectiveness of their plan in Question Period, Wilkinson could only offer: “you’re supposed to solve the problem, not me.” (Hansard video, May 7, 2:23:40)
Wilkinson’s ineffective gas tax scheme adds to his growing list of unfunded spending promises that almost entirely benefit BC’s wealthiest people and large corporations. The list includes tax cuts for people with homes worth over $3 million, owners of multiple homes that are vacant, the top 2% of income earners, and profitable corporations.
And recently the BC Liberals raised new questions about who will pay for the $1.8 billion revenue lost by eliminating by the Employers Health Tax, which is paid by the largest 15% of BC businesses.
In total, the BC Liberals have promised at least $3 billion in giveaways to wealthy people and larger businesses.
Perhaps Andrew Wilkinson could take some advice from Mike Bernier: “Can you also explain what services you will cut? If you are making these promises you should say how you can actually achieve them.”