VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberal government found jobs for their political allies, but has failed for 30 months to help the thousands of other British Columbians looking for work, say the New Democrats.

“Thirty months ago, the premier told British Columbians that creating employment was her ‘primary mission.’ B.C. has the worst record of private sector job creation in this country over those 30 months. Last month alone, this province lost 10,400 jobs,” said New Democrat finance critic Mike Farnworth.

“More than 12,000 people have given up and left B.C. to find work elsewhere in Canada.”

New Democrat jobs critic Harry Bains noted that there are currently 150,000 British Columbians looking for work.

“While people looking for work in this province are watching jobs disappear, the premier has managed to find $1 million for 20 patronage appointments,” said Bains.

“The Liberal job creation strategy has worked just fine for people like failed B.C. Liberal candidates Gabby Kalaw and Hector Bremner who landed jobs working for Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat,” said deputy finance critic Mable Elmore.

In Question Period in the legislature today, the B.C. Liberals refused to commit to examining these patronage appointments as part of their core review, which Minister Bill Bennett had previously promised would “make sure that every single dollar that’s being spent by a ministry or a Crown corporation is treated respectfully.”

“A million dollars in pay and perks to Liberal insiders. Seventeen million dollars spent advertising a failed jobs strategy. And a staff of 299 communications workers whose job it is to prop up the premier and cabinet. If the government really wants to make tough choices, it should start by looking in the mirror,” said Farnworth.