John Horgan: Why I Should Be Leader
John Horgan makes the case for cooperation between the NDP and B.C. business, and for why he should be leader.
The Province’s business community has long had a challenging relationship with the NDP. Our party has often demonized the business community for political purposes. Similarly, the business community has typically characterized the NDP as their mortal enemy, even going so far as to sponsor attacks on our party in election campaigns.
It’s counterproductive and it’s time for both sides to step back, take a deep breath and start having a constructive dialogue on how government and business can get along under an NDP administration. All governments make decisions that are counter to the interests of one group or another. The challenge is to recognize bad decisions correct errors with the least amount of disruption.
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It’s in every British Columbian’s interest for business to succeed and flourish. A strong private sector, particularly a strong small business sector will create jobs, economic activity and opportunities that will benefit all. But it can’t be lopsided.
For example, freezing the minimum wage for a decade is both immoral and impractical. It has to be increased and because government has ignored it for so long, the hike will likely be more disruptive than it would have been through a more predictable process.
Similarly, lying to voters about their intentions on the HST has proven disastrous for the sitting government. Government is now in the untenable position of arguing that while the tax is good for the economy, it must be dispatched because voters don’t like it. This is hardly a prescription for good public policy and the uncertainty is undermining consumer confidence and stifling the investment climate.
Under my leadership government would establish a Fair Tax Commission that would examine the total impact of provincial taxation, licence and user fees, and resource royalties on individuals, small businesses and corporations. It would provide government and the public with an unbiased overview of where government is receiving its revenues and how it is paying for the services that we all need and want. Then we can have a balanced discussion with all sectors of society about how we will ensure that we all pay our fair share and that no one group is overburdened.
I don’t expect the business community to join the NDP or even cast ballots for our party in the next election. But I do believe that government must represent the entire province, and that cooperatively, government, business and labour can work together in the public interest.
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