“To build the proposed Trades and Technology Center will require a budget of $7.4 million … an amount equal to today’s interest payment on BC’s debt”

The following is a media release that went out today (September 26) from the Kamloops South Thompson Constituency Association, of the BC Conservative Party:

In the Service Plan for 2012 – 2015, former Education Minister George Abbot stated that; “The world has changed significantly since our education system was designed and while we continue to have a very strong system, we must make bold changes to support our teachers and ensure that every student receives an education that reflects their unique needs, interests and passions."

Despite these words, the NorKam Trades and Technology Centre, which will nurture and develop science and technology in the Kamloops area, and provide skills for workers that are needed in tech trades, remains little more than a dream.  It sits awaiting approval from the Liberal government.

Earlier this Summer Kamloops Liberal MLA Terry Lake indicated this project was his #1 priority, and that it was a priority for the government as well.

“How many times will we be hearing Terry Lake, and the Liberal government of Christy Clark repeat those words?” asked Peter Sharp, Vice-President of the BC Conservative Party’s Kamloops South Thompson South Thompson Constituency Association.

“All across the province new classrooms and schools are being built in Revelstoke, Surrey, Williams Lake, Langley, Fort St. John, Port Alberni, Burnaby, Victoria, Kitsilano, and Chilliwack.  Missing from that list however, is the city of Kamloops.”

In his speech to members of the BC Conservative Party this past Saturday, John Cummins outlined two specific themes the party will advance in the period leading up to the next provincial general election – increased government accountability over spending, and economic development with an emphasis on job creation.  “The BC Conservatives are unique in our province – we believe that the government has to spend smarter.”

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, two decades of out of control spending by both Liberal and NDP administrations, will result in this year’s interest payment totaling $2.66 BILLION … an amount equal to $7.3 million a day.

Sharp concluded, “To build the proposed Trades and Technology Center will require a budget of $7.4 million dollars … an amount equal to today’s interest payment government will be making on the provincial debt.  In the following 11 days (up to Sunday Oct 7^th), government will make interest payments on the debt equal to $80 million.  It should be noted, that’s the entire cost of the first phase of development for the new Royal Inland Hospital project.”