The facts are the facts Kevin, and I stand by what I have said

Retiring BC Liberal MLA
Kevin Krueger

I have spoken on numerous occasions about the rapidly rising debt being created by the BC Liberals … and their ongoing annual deficits.  These are not imaginings, they are fact, however retiring South Kamloops BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger disputes this; as he stated to me earlier today.

The following is the conversation we had on this … as well as comments he made regarding BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins, and the experience we will be presenting to the voters in next Mays general election 

Kevin Krueger:

NDP debt was credit card debt - borrowed to spend on their friends, and operating. That is very different from debt for capital items: roads, bridges, hospitals, universities, schools... as most people's mortgage debt enables them to live in, and pay for, their homes - but credit card debts are high interest and destructive.

Our free enterprise coalition has had the courage to build what British Columbians need - name one construction project you think was a bad choice? We have also created the conditions for a thriving economy and great revenues to pay those capital debts off. The rating agencies give us Triple A - the highest possible. You B.C. Conservatives have a lot to learn, to be taken seriously at the polls.

Kevin ... I cannot argue with good capital spending ... however wasteful everyday spending is what I cannot agree with -- that is the day to day spending that is creating a never ending annual deficit. That gets added to the also increasing debt and we have a future bubble that will have to burst at some point.

Call it what you will, but debt is debt ... and all of it has to be paid for eventually --- and all of it will have accumulated interest on it.

Over a year ago, when the debt was still in the mid $40 billion range, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation stated we were paying over $6 million EACH DAY just to pay the interest on that every increasing debt.

That's worse than someone who is making the minimum payment on their credit card -- at least they are slowly (very slowly) making a debt in the principle.

In this case however the debt continue to pile up every day --- and somewhere down the line the creditors will say, "Enough, no more, start paying down the principle"

Sorry Kevin, but with all due respect, I cannot accept this government has been fiscally responsible. There is nothing responsible about saddling future generations with a legacy that is a mountain of debt.

Both of these things are happening with the Liberals, in the same way as they occurred under the NDP

Last night on Global TV news out of Vancouver, I heard Christy Clark talking about not wanting to go back to the horrible debt of the NDP -- and to the days when people were leaving the province for better jobs and lower taxes.

Is she serious?? Does she really have no idea what her BC Liberal Party's track record is??

She obviously is unaware, or pretends not to know, that the BC Liberals have doubled the provinces debt from $30 to $60 billion. She also seems to be unaware, or not to know, anything about last year’s Fraser Institute report that shows there are now MORE people leaving the province than are moving here.

Both of these things are happening with the Liberals, in the same way as they occurred under the NDP.

It is becoming more and more obvious neither of these choices are what BC needs.

Adrian Dix smiles a lot and doesn't say anything to ruffle feathers - but we are not hearing anything on how he will govern ... what his economic policies will be ... his taxation policies ... his plans to settle contracts with government unions ... etc.

There is only one real choice for smaller common sense government -- and that choice is the BC Conservatives!

I posted the above on my Facebook page last night, which elicited a response from soon to be retiring Kamloops South Thompson Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger who said:

CLBC ... Creating Lies, Bedlam, and Chaos

The letters “C”, “L”,”B”, and “C” used to stand for Community Living British Columbia … now, more aptly; they should stand for Creating Lies, Bedlam, and Chaos.

Last Fall, British Columbians were rightly outraged that Executives of Community Living BC were receiving huge bonuses, while at the same time the agency was cutting back on services.  So what did the Liberal government say they would do? 

BC Premier Christy Clark

Christy Clark said, and led us to believe, they had ordered an end to the bonuses.  As we now all know, they waited for 6 or 7 months, and then rolled the ‘bonuses’ into the pay of these same CLBC executives.

Was that honest or truthful?  Not according to Jordan Bateman, of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation:
"Whether implicitly or between the lines, we were led to believe last fall that the bonus structure was gone. I think most taxpayers thought that meant that money was going to go back into front-line CLBC services where it belongs, and yet now we find out that really nothing's changed, just the way the executives get this money has been altered."

Still, Christy Clark insists that we have it all wrong … that we don’t understand … and that the opposition coming from the BC Conservative Party, the NDP, and the advocacy groups like Moms on the Move, have it all wrong ... and that some are deliberately misrepresenting the facts.

Christy … there is only ONE group misleading the province … that is the BC Liberal party.

DON’T tell us we don’t know the facts!

A bit of ‘This and That’ from the news

My apologies … I have been busy with CA meetings for the Kamloops North and South Thompson CA’s … the Public Town Hall meeting in Clearwater with John Cummins tomorrow night ... and the founding meeting of our Fraser Nicola CA which takes place on Saturday. 

That means todays blog post will be a bit of ‘This and That’ from the news over the past couple of days.  Let’s start out with a story from Jordan Bateman OF the Canadian Taxpayers Federation;

“Outrageous B.C. Gas Taxes Keep Economy in Neutral”

If the federal and B.C. governments are as hungry to spark job creation as their expensive TV commercials and overseas trips make it appear, they should cut the taxes on gas.

Taxes now make up nearly one-third of the cost of gasoline, which both penalize drivers and raise the cost of any good or service moved by a vehicle. Leaving more of that money in drivers’ pockets to spend anywhere but on government, simply makes sense.

Lower Mainland drivers pay the highest gas tax on the continent—more than 49 cents per litre. In Victoria, the tax burden is almost 41 cents, while the rest of British Columbia sits at the national average of 37 cents per litre.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Next up, is the “The great Hydro cost coverup” by Vaughn Palmer of the Vancouver Sun

As the B.C. Utilities Commission moved this spring to hold public hearings on the B.C. Liberals' controversial electricity plans, the government mounted a rearguard action to drag the process back behind closed doors.

… the process is the formal name for what is essentially a backroom deal, brokered by the regulator with Hydro and the industry and consumer groups that make up the bulk of the players at any public hearing.

Had the commission gone along, the public hearings, set for a minimum three weeks starting June 18, would likely have been cancelled. Much to the relief of the Liberals, who - I'm told - lobbied hard to make sure they never happened …

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

If you decide to read on, make sure you have some Tylenol, and an antacid, handy

The other day I was talking with a media friend, and had mentioned I was thinking of taking a look at how BC's debt has climbed over the years.  Well I did indeed do that, and now I am sorry I did. If you decide to read on, make sure you have some Tylenol, and an antacid, handy.

NDP elected in 1991

Total provincial debt … $9.82 billion

NDP re-elected in 1996

Total provincial debt … $19.53 billion

During the 5 year period of 1991 to 1996, the provincial debt increased by $9.71 billion ($1.95 / year)

BC Liberals elected in 2001

Total provincial debt … $33.9 billion

BC Liberals re-elected in 2005

Total provincial debt … $35.9 billion

BC Liberals re-elected in 2009

Total provincial debt … $37.5 billion

BC Liberal Budget for 2011 … provincial debt of $45,154 Billion

And from the official Budget and Fiscal Plan of February 21^st, 2012 … for the years 2012 / 2013 to 2014 / 2015 comes the following figures:

Not much has changed in 16 years

Last night I was going through a box of campaign material from the 1996 provincial election in BC.  For those not aware, I ran as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the riding of Kamloops North Thompson.

Kamloops Daily News political cartoon from April
'96. We still have a “Clark”, but now it’s Christy.

While going through the box, I came upon opening remarks I made at an All-Candidates Forum that had been held in Barriere, a small rural community about half an hour north of Kamloops, in the North Thompson.   

Today I thought I would share them, once again, because in reading them I thought … not much has changed in 16 years!  I wonder, as you read this, if you'll think the same thing.

For far too long we have had only two choices in British Columbia come election time.  One was to vote a party out of power, thereby allowing the other party to win by default – or to vote for a party that didn’t really meet our needs, but kept the other out of power.  Things are different now.

The election being held May 28^th is going to be one of the most important ever.  One that will provide each of us with a choice to continue with ‘behind closed doors decision making the traditional parties offer – or to choose a party that has the will and courage to listen and make ‘real change happen … to make government accountable to you.

But with choice, comes the responsibility to know where the parties stand on issues, and how they will deal with the important decisions that face our province in the years ahead … and how they will consult with you and seek your input in making those decisions.

Our choice will also come down to electing a ‘politician’ – or electing a ‘representative’.

Dix-onomics? Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me

British Columbian taxpayers will continue
to be flattened by rising government debt

Today is budget day for Finance Minister Kevin Falcon, and the BC Liberal government.  Yesterday (February 20, 2012) Bloomberg had the following story, “British Columbia to Beat Deficit Targets, Finance Minister Falcon Says”.   

In this story they stated:

Falcon, who is scheduled to unveil his first budget tomorrow, said that as recently as November he was concerned a deepening of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis would further delay the U.S. recovery, undermining the western Canadian province’s effort to restore fiscal balance.

The government forecast in a November update that it would have a shortfall of C$3.1 billion ($3.12 billion) in the year ending March 31; C$805 million in 2012-2013 and a surplus the following year.

The current fiscal year’s deficit had originally been forecast at C$925 million. That figure widened to cover the cost of reversing a value-added tax that was rejected by voters in a referendum in August.

Debt is debt --- and deficits are deficits.  Simply put, this government continues to spend more money than it takes in. 

I’m not trying to be a smart a_ _ , but how do you justify the idea that BC’s New Democrats are the tax and spend party??

Christy Clark arrived back on the political scene a little more than a year ago with a catchy slogan of "Families First?”.   

Let me ask you, are you feeling the glow and warmth of that??  Is the outcome of that “slogan” resonating in a positive way for you?  Somehow I think not!

Here is just one more example of how important BC families are to the Christy Clark Liberal government in British Columbia.

From the Canadian Taxpayers Federation comes a reminder that, "BC Families Face $84 Medical Services Premium Tax Increase"

On December 31, 2009, B.C. families paid $108 a month in MSP tax. That increased to $114 on January 1, 2010, and again to $121 on January 1, 2011. This year’s additional hike means families have seen their MSP tax bills go up 18.5 per cent in two years.

“Families and seniors are already finding it difficult to keep up with rate increases at BC Hydro, ICBC, BC Ferries and tax hikes at the gas pump,” said Bateman. “These MSP, CPP and EI increases are yet more weight added to the tax burden.”

Again, it is ONLY $84 ... but we do have to include that with all the other taxes that have gone up, in the past 9 months or so, since Christy Clark became premier. And as the story says, that includes increases to BC Hydro, BC Ferries, ICBC, the carbon tax ... etc, etc.

THIS WEEK IN BC POLITICS — the final one for 2011

The year end with news we may now be paying
HST, on our bills and purchases, for well into 2013

As we go into the last week of the year, we have one more opportunity to review and look overt the stories that made the news this week.  Next week, on Conservative Thoughts, I will be taking a break so that’s it until 2012 … except for me to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas … and a safe and Happy New Year.

Now … here are the stories that made the news this week -- each headline is linked to the full original story.

When compared with the rest of the country, this province's development pales

… politically embarrassing … the lack-lustre performance can't be excused by noting that Campbell had nasty little (or maybe not so little) recessions at the beginning and the end of his term, because so did all the other provinces that B.C. is being compared to … further such embarrassment is a key factor in why Clark decided not long after she took over from Campbell to pull the plug on the board … it's not just one province's performance that is being measured - it's all the others' as well …

Taxpayers still on the hook months after deputy fired

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said du Toit's severance deal defies common sense. "This is another ridiculous payout from government to senior staff.  We've seen these over and over again this year."  … living allowance always troubled the federation.  "I mean, it's not like she was a pauper in the first place.  She was pulling down significant amounts of money in salary." …

BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins believes many Liberals are feeling alienated by party shift

"We're not in this to come second," Cummins said. "We are in this to win. I think this is a small 'c' conservative neck of the woods, and I think that given that we really are the only small 'c' conservative party in British Columbia, our platform will certainly resonate with the folks here."

Former Liberal leadership candidate Ed Mayne is right, “We don't have a carbon tax we have a consumption tax …”

Today in the BC News Group family of newspapers was a story about the death of the “carbon emission trading plan” … which last week I also mentioned hearing about. 

The BC News Group story indicated that, “BC's carbon emission trading plan died last week at the age of four. No service was announced ... came as BC capital hosted politicians from neighbouring U.S. states and western provinces for their annual economic conference... BC the only jurisdiction in North America with a carbon tax, and an emission reduction target twice as ambitious – 33 per cent by 2020 ... all B.C.’s border states and provinces have an economic advantage for emitting industries...”

Story after story --- year after year --- we've had editorials, studies, papers, and a multitude of opinions showing the carbon tax initiative, first imposed on us by then Liberal Finance Minister Carole Taylor in the Gordon Campbell government (imposed under the guise of reducing the carbon footprint of British Columbians), is nothing more than a sham ... and in reality it is a consumption tax!

Earlier this year the BC Liberal Party elected Christy Clark to replace Gordon Campbell as their leader … one of the other candidates in that race to become the party leader was Ed Mayne; here is what he had to say to in a note to me today:

“We don't have a carbon tax we have a consumption tax on hydrocarbons that is used to offset income tax reductions so we can say we have the lowest income tax rates in Canada. That's ok but let's call it what it is, a consumption tax and quite trying to pretend that it is to help the environment. If the funds were used to offset costs of projects that reduced usage than it could be called a carbon tax.”

To which I said …

Thank goodness ... someone who will admit he is a Liberal -- and -- that this is in reality a consumption tax!!! People HATE being fed a load of crap ... they can however accept truth and reality --- and when it comes to taxes I beleive they can even accept them if an HONEST case can be made for the necessity of them.

I could say more, however a Letter to the Editor in the Langley Advance said it best ...

I noted two news stories of interest in the papers today.  In the Victoria Times Colonist a headline stated, “$782-million sewage fix left in limbo  -- Treatment system falls two years behind as B.C. and Ottawa play waiting game” … while the Vancouver Courier had a headline saying, “Basi - Virk first anniversary renews calls for inquiry -- B.C. Liberal government paid $6 million legal bills”

Two different stories, but both again highlighting the discontent of British Columbians.

In the Times Colonist news story, writers Kim Westad and Rob Shaw, have indicated the sewage treatment system is going to be at least two years behind schedule.  Why???  Apparently the provincial government has not committed in writing to funding the $782-million project that it ordered must be done.  BC Liberal cabinet minister Ida Chong says that the federal government must commit to funding the project before it steps in, which according to the writers is a, ‘…change in policy that worries several members of the Capital Regional District board.’

The story goes on to quote Judy Brownoff, former chairwoman of the region's sewage committee,  as saying, ‘… Chong's comments are a change from what the CRD has been told from the start, and contrary to clear information from the federal government a year ago.’

So what’s the bottom line? 

BC Liberals are doing a great job financially for our province? ... Hogwash!

In a Letter to the Editor (September 14^th 100 Mile Free Press), writer Joe Sawchuck states …

“The present B.C. Liberal government is on the right track regarding the management of British Columbians’ taxpayer dollars … the BC Liberals inherited a "have-not" province from the former NDP government. In 2002, after being government for a year, the BC Liberals once again made B.C. a "have" province … why would we ever think of changing the guard when B.C. is well managed?”

So Joe … you think the BC Liberals are doing a great job financially for our province??  Hogwash -- they are simply NDP light when it comes to spending.  I would encourage you to read the BC Budgets "Summary: Budget and Fiscal Plan – 2011/2012 to 2013/14" 

This government document shows total provincial debt at $47 billion 757 million for 2010/11 ... $53 billion 437 million for 2011/12 … a projected debt of $57 billion 572 million for 2012/13 and projected debt of $60 billion 355 million … and that was before the referendum vote to abolish the HST.

Debating the HST?? We need more than just Dix and Clark!

So Adrian Dix would like to challenge Christy Clark to debate the HST on the Bill Good show??

Given that Clark would find it difficult to give honest answers on the true cost of what a 10% HST will do to the deficit, I doubt very much she will take up the challenge.

The “Myth” of saving BC’s environment with a carbon tax

Did you know that owing a forest can make you big money with BC’s carbon tax policies??  It’s true --- it’s one of the ways that business – and even government itself – can make it look as if they are doing more for the environment than they actually are.

Those who read my blog will know that I detest the Carbon Tax as a pretend policy of environmental protection.   Rather than taking money to create efficiencies with energy usage, the government instead takes the resources of the Carbon Tax and transfers them to the Pacific Carbon Trust.  And who benefits from the largesse of the Trust --- well businesses like Encanna … and now in a Globe and Mail story from Wednesday June 8^th comes this story …

North America's largest forest carbon project launches, sells $4-million in credits
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is receiving more than $4-million in what it says is the largest forest carbon project to date in North America and the first deal of its kind in Canada.  The land conservancy organization announced in Vancouver Wednesday that it has sold carbon credits that are the equivalent of 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is receiving $4 million in carbon credits (ie this is money they receive as payment from government and businesses in exchange for NOT upgrading their own plants, facilities, etc). 

Here’s a thought ... maybe the BC government can have a bottle drive!

How does Wikipedia define a “Balanced Budget”??

The public perception of balanced budget is when there is neither a budget deficit nor a budget surplus – when revenues equal expenditure ("the accounts balance") – particularly by a government. More generally, it refers to when there is no deficit, but possibly a surplus.

The private definition used by government is often setting the tax so high that if it were any higher a tax revenue shortfall, rather than gain, would be predicted.  Thus "maximum tax rate" would be a better way for the public to perceive it.

Meantime ... what does the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) say about deficit and debt in BC?

When you run your credit card to the limit, you soon get a bill in the mail, and B.C. is beginning to experience the hangover from this borrowing binge of Olympic proportions … the sooner we balance the budget, the sooner we can start paying down debt.

Is Christy Clark preparing to add a second carbon tax?

While those of us who live in the interior of BC face a far greater tax bite with the Carbon Tax --- there are benefits to NOT living in Greater Vancouver -- such as a transit tax that sits around 15 cents / liter.

Now however Christy Clark and the BC Liberals are considering a second carbon tax (AKA "tax grab" -- OR -- 'fleecing' of the taxpayers). 

Oddly enough this is a policy even further to the left of the NDP -- and additional fuel to an op-ed written by former Canadian Taxpayers Federation Director Maureen Bader.

Government has a SPENDING PROBLEM ... not a revenue problem!

"Government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem!" ... so said Maureen Bader (former director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation) to a large group of BC Conservative Party members in Surrey this morning.

Ms. Bader indicated that while some people believe that government is the answer to all problems, a large portion of the population is fed up, and will elect a political party running on a platform of small government.  What is needed however, is to have a clear platform that will allow voters to give a mandate for change.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to support political parties that they don’t support.”

YES ... we can support them as individuals if we wish -- political parties should not be funded by the taxpayers!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government will move quickly to cut the financial legs of its political opponents by moving to end the per-vote party subsidy in its June budget. “We want political parties to raise funds directly from their supporters and not the taxpayers. So as soon as we can get ...

Click HERE for the full story.

Prudent fiscal management? ...... "Horse Manure!"

Yesterday the Finance Minister, Colin Hansen brought down the provinces budget --- and in doing so he said:

“We’ve come through a seismic shift in the global economy and we are emerging much stronger than other places around the world.  Business and consumer confidence are growing.  We have a solid foundation for job creation, business development and improvements in health care, education and social services.  B.C.’s future looks bright.”

BC’s future looks bright???  If our future is looking so bright, then I for one would like to know why the provincial debt is headed for $60 BILLION dollars.  The “Honorable” Finance Minister, Colin Hansen, also stated that: 

“Budget 2011 stays the course, keeping the focus of protecting health care, education and social services as British Columbia moves towards balanced budgets beginning again in 2013.

Protecting health care, education, and social services???  Mr. Hansen, would you care to tell us what the interest payments alone are on a debt of $60 BILLION dollars??  Perhaps some of you are saying $60 BILLION dollars – come on Alan, you're making that up. 

'Cause I’m the taxman, Yeah, I’m the taxman.

The Taxman -- Lennon and McCartney

Let me tell you how it will be; there’s one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause I’m the taxman, Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Should five per cent appear too small, be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I’m the taxman, Yeah, I’m the taxman.

(if you drive a car, car;) - I’ll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I’ll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I’ll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.

Taxman!
'Cause I’m the taxman, Yeah, I’m the taxman ......

As you know, BC Hydro hiked rates on electricity last year by nearly 7 ½ percent … and this year we’ll see another 10% hike.  BUT, our friendly Taxman isn’t finished yet; costs to Medical Services are increasing by another 6% as well.

Then there’s the Carbon Tax – that’s the one brought about (so we’re told) to help us to be more environmentally responsible by reducing our use of fossils fuels. Last summer the carbon tax rate on a litre of gasoline increased to nearly 4 ½ cents, and by next summer it will be sitting at 7 cents a litre.  By the way, are you being more “environmentally responsible” in your home?  Natural gas and other fuels like propane, kerosene and home heating oil are also subject to the carbon tax.