[LabComm] BC Liberals sound like New Democrats with budget recommendations

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

BC Liberals sound like New Democrats with budget recommendations

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-- But Premier can't be trusted to keep promises, says MacPhail -- 

Victoria - In the lead-up to the next election the BC Liberals are beginning to sound like New Democrats, but we now know the Premier can't be trusted to keep his promises, New Democrat MLA Joy MacPhail said today.

MacPhail was responding to the release of recommendations of the Legislature's pre-budget consultation committee. Among the proposed recommendations, the Liberal-dominated committee asks the government to commit to more long-term care beds for seniors, to explore tax relief for low-income British Columbians, and to promote skills training.

"The committee's recommendations read like Gordon Campbell promises from 2001," said MacPhail. "But we know what's happened since then: long-term care beds were closed, taxes were increased for average families, and skills training was axed. Now the Liberals are asking British Columbians to have faith once again."

MacPhail said the BC Liberals are desperate to erase the past three years from the public's memory, hoping that by sounding more caring they will soften public anger about the impact of their extreme agenda.

"Many people who voted for the Liberals feel betrayed," said MacPhail. "Few expected that the Premier would use his massive majority to target women, children and the most vulnerable with extreme cuts so he could pay for huge upper-income and corporate tax giveaways. But this time a few last-minute promises won't fool anyone. This time he'll have to account for his record over the past three and half years."

MacPhail said the BC New Democrats are offering a fair and balanced approach that reaches out to business, grows the economy, and ensures strong health care and education programs.

"Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals are out of step with the needs of most British Columbians. We've seen the pre-election Premier before. But once election day has passed, no doubt, he will be up to his old tricks."

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