Jobs and Politics ... thoughts from John Cummins and Christy Clark

I like day #1 so far, in so much as development of the North has always been a great wealth and job creator for the province.

WAC Bennett and Flying Phil started this province on the road to growth and development with roads, highways, and a northern railway.   That said, I am still having an issue and problem with all the fanfare -- that is just razzle dazzle 'look at me' staff that Christy loves and that we can do without.

Also, as John Cummins (BC Conservative Party leader) indicated in a statement this morning following Christy’s job creation announcement:
"The $15 million is not being advanced in the interest of jobs, it is to sweeten the pot for Canpotex to cut a deal with the natives regarding the export terminal. Why else would Premier Clark contribute millions of taxpayers' dollars to a project that has not yet been approved?".

The full comments of BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins follow below.  The BC government media release is available by clicking HERE and checking under the September 19^th date for “Port funding helps B.C. benefit from Asia Pacific trade”

For Immediate Release 

Cummins: Clark's "jobs agenda" is about politics not jobs

VANCOUVER, September 19, 2011 - The centre piece of Liberal Premier Christy Clark's jobs agenda is more style over substance.

The premier announced $15 million toward a rail line on Ridley Island for the Canpotex Potash Terminal which has not yet passed its environmental assessment and not surprisingly has not announced a deal with local native bands.

Canpotex Terminals Limited's proposed project consists of the construction and operation of a new potash export terminal on Ridley Island in the port of Prince Rupert, BC. To move forward, Canpotex's plans must comply with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, with includes approval of environmental standards as well as completed negotiations with local native bands. Canpotex has been negotiating with the local native bands for years without result.

"The $15 million is not being advanced in the interest of jobs, it is to sweeten the pot for Canpotex to cut a deal with the natives regarding the export terminal. Why else would Premier Clark contribute millions of taxpayers' dollars to a project that has not yet been approved?"

"The usual Liberal policy of giving natives a veto on new projects has got to end," continued Mr. Cummins, "Projects that are in the best interest of British Columbians must not be held hostage by special interest groups."

A new BC Conservative government would make sure that no one community has veto power; development of crown land should be managed for the benefit of all British Columbians.